Due to a variety of circumstances, including foul weather, the FBT committee regrets to inform that in 2002 not all five boroughs were properly visited and not all participants made it everywhere. A full 'Tour Diary' will therefore not be made available. The FBT committee apologizes in advance to Staten Island and the Bronx. Although we did see these boroughs from afar they were far from seen.

For a much more in depth look at ALL FIVE BOROUGHS and what the FBT really is and should be, read last years 2001 FBT DIARY by FBT Cofounder and star researcher Rachel Emma Silverman.


FBT 2002

Day One (Saturday, August 31st)
We started at the Farmers Market in Union Square in Manhattan.
Our next stop was a sculpture garden in the park between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges in the Dumbo Area of Brooklyn. From there it was off to Alley Park in Queens to visit the oldest living thing in NYC, "The Queen's Giant." This tree sits in an obscure corner of the park that is isolated from the main section and is surrounded by the roaring of the Long Island Expressway. Saturday night brought us back under the Brooklyn Bridge for Barge Music at Fulton Ferry landing where we listened to chamber music by Brahms, Beethoven, Gershewin and Hindermith as the barge swayed to and fro and the borough of Manhattan shined across the East River. The music was followed by Coffee and Chocolate Chunk ice cream frozen and served by Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory! A late night of pool followed at "Q", a billiards club in Chelsea, Manhattan.

Day Two (Sunday, September 1st)
Day two started in Grand Central Station where we happened on a cool MTV Video Music Awards exhibit. We then hopped the #7 to Queens to visit the Noguchi Sculpture Garden followed by a tour of the recently installed MomaQns. There was an incredible exhibit about car design featuring a stunning Jaguar: "if you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up." Then it was back to Manhattan and Times Square for video games at ESPN Zone. After fine tuning our digital racing and hunting skills, we rode the #6 down to Little Italy for Dinner at Vincent's on Hester and Mott. To work off dinner we rolled over to Bowlmore on University Place for some old fashion 10 Pins. A late night followed at Cedars down the street on University.

Day Three (Sunday, September 2nd)
We enjoyed a morning drive and late breakfast at the famous Sheepshead Bay Dinner in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. A scenic drive followed down the Beltway where we decided to enter Queens once again rather then brave the outdoor activities we had planned in Staten Island. We revisited some of last years favorite destinations as we drove through Jamaica Bay, Belle Harbour and the beach front at 116st. of the Far Rockaways. The weather was not cooperating so we didn't really venture far from the car. Then our ride continued on to Riis Park and eventually to Ft. Tilden where we visited the natural beach and sand dunes. It is hard to believe these natural dune beaches still survive within NYC. Finally it was back to Manhattan via the Battery Tunnel. The gas ran dry and we stopped two boroughs short of the the five. (However, we still have some great items on our list, especially for Staten Island, so you may see a posting for an unprecedented "Day 4" in the near future.) We ended the day in Manhattan at the movies at the 34st Lowes.