The Big Screen is Going Green at This Legendary Film Studio

You may see movies in color, but the name of the game at New York’s Kaufman Astoria Studios is now green.
The studio, currently home to “Sesame Street” and Showtime’s “Nurse Jackie,” starring Edie Falco (and future home of the “Smurfs” Movie, to be released next year--no, we can’t wait either) is converting to green energy. Kaufman Astoria is the oldest functioning movie studio in the city; more than 120 silent and sound films have been produced there. They include the Marx Bothers’ “Animal Crackers,” as well as “The Wiz,” “All That Jazz,” and Woody Allen's "Radio Days.”
The studio is switching from commonly used heating oil to a new mix of petroleum and biodiesel, produced by Brooklyn-based company METRO and known as “Greenheat.” It’s made from 5 percent biodiesel fuel (which includes used vegetable oil from restaurants, as well as soy and canola oils and algae) and 95 percent petroleum. The biodiesel burns much cleaner than oil and has no sulfur. The studio will be supplied with 80,000 gallons of the fuel each year, which will earn it the distinction of being the largest commercial user of Greenheat in New York.
METRO also supplies other distinctive clients--the Hampton Jitney (the bus service that ferries beachgoers to the tony Hamptons) and the City of New York.
The company will be opening a 110-million-gallon processing plant in Brooklyn later this year, which will add not just cleaner energy--but a spate of new jobs as well.

Black History Month in New York Offers Plenty to Do

Black History Month in New York means no shortage of ways to celebrate, educate yourself, or simply have a good time. Below, a smattering of events running throughout the month at institutions around the city.
If it’s art you’re after, check out the exhibition “African Americans: Seeing and Seen: 1766-1916” at the Babcock Galleries (724 Fifth Avenue, between 56th and 57th Streets; 212 767-1852).The show looks at both positive and negative portrayals of African Americans in fine art, going back to Colonial times.
Over at BAM (BAM Cinema; 30 Lafayette Street in Brooklyn; 718 636-4100), a schedule of films is running throughout the month under the heading “The Best of the African Diaspora Film Festival.” Coming up: “Made in Jamaica,” on Feb. 19, which explores the world of reggae music. Events are also running at the Brooklyn Public Library (10 Grand Army Plaza; 718-230-2100) and the Brooklyn Children’s Museum (145 Brooklyn Avenue; 718 735-4400).
Up at the Dwyer Cultural Center (258 St. Nicholas Avenue in Manhattan; 212 222-3060), both music and theater are on the bill. This week (Feb. 9) “Rivers Run Deep: The Paul Robeson Story” is being presented.
And New York’s Lincoln Center is offering a roster of performances throughout February. On Feb. 11, for example, swing to “Basie and the Blues” with Wynton Marsalis (Rose Theater at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Broadway and 60th Street; call 212 721-6500.)
So beat those February blues with culture and education. Get out there!