Super New York Weekend -- Day Three

Saturday morning and Mark's 60th birthday! The reason for the whole trip! We headed over early toward's Jesse & Thom's for brunch, stopping briefly at Grand Army Plaza to see the Brooklyn Public Library and the greenmarket. Then great food and fun Barbara & Steve, Judy & Billie, in Jesse & Thom's very cool old home in Crown Heights (very near our future home). Jesse & Thom gave Mark his birthday gift, a bearded man print by Ashley G that looks very familiar!

Next, we headed into the city for a sort of surprise party at Otto, pizza and gelato right by Washington Square, one of Mario Batali's places. It was really a surpise for Mark when everyone joined us there, in addition to the Friday night crowd, and Jesse & Thom, there was Val & Tony, Susan & Paul, Helen, Eleanor, and Mark's brother Jerry, his wife, Marjorie, Mark's sister Susan, her daughter Heather, Heather's husband Steve. A fabulous time was had by all and an amazing Black Hound cake topped it off.

After that, most of us headed uptown to the Beacon Theatre to hear the brilliant Bill Maher. Afterwards, we continued the party for a while in a nearby Starbucks and Susan serenaded Mark with a tune specially written by Paul and Susan for Mark's birthday.

Listen & watch Susan sing the song above/read the lyrics below.

Mark Oliver’s Birthday Song
11/10/07
(attempt to sing to the tune of “It’s all happening at the Zoo”)
Something tells me it’s all happening at the zoo
The one in Tampa, that’s run by Mark and Sue...woo-hoo
You can hear the animals chattering away
“It’s hard to believe, Marks turns 6-0 today!” ...woo-hoo
Once there lived a lizard there, and cats and dogs and birds to spare.
Now Dylan, Marley, Daisy, Jules, and a bird named Hallie rule
At the zoo, at Mark and Sue’s...
They didn’t know what was in store the day they met
She wanted pet food, and he made her his pet
No regrets...lots of pets...
They were so creative they made up their last name
As Jesse grew up, she learned to do the same...they’re all insane
They moved away from city lights and now want to be in Crown Heights
Meanwhile Mark's still making waves, teaching kids in his own way
Not since Noah and his ark has there been a sailor good as Mark
Dolphins fish and manatees can’t believe that he’s sixty
If animals could talk you know, they’d say you’re great, as humans go
We think of you as our hero
Please enjoy your big 6-O
It’s true...Life’s zoo...
Happy Birthday to you....
Lots of love, Paul and Susan