Today is “Giving Tuesday” and I’m focusing on three deserving organizations to which I’ve given money and/or time:
Coney Island USA
I’ve been involved with Coney Island USA for over 30 years now and still marvel at the progress Dick Zigun and crew have made in “America’s Playground” since the early 80’s, when the world’s most famous amusement park - long neglected by the city and under siege by those who felt it was past its prime - was in danger of being bulldozed. Dick and a few other visionaries like my friend Richard Eagan, Philomena Marano and Marie Roberts appreciated Coney’s past while understanding how to bring it into the future. The Mermaid Parade (of which I’ve been MC since 1987) brought back a Coney tradition - the Mardi Gras - and is now one of the largest parades in New York and the country. The Coney Island Museum is home to a significant collection of artifacts and continuously rotating exhibitions, like the one opening this Saturday, “Five Cents To Dreamland”, in cooperation with the New York Transit Museum. The landmark Coney Island USA building at 12th St. and Surf Avenue also houses the Circus Sideshow, Magic at Coney, the Pinball Museum, the authorized tour, the Gift Shop and so much more. But on this #GivingTuesday it’s the Freak Bar that needs your help. A portion of the ceiling caved in this summer and there are other structural issues to be addressed so the building can function for decades to come. If there’s any location that’s been the cornerstone of Coney’s (and Brooklyn’s) revival it’s 1208 Surf Avenue. I’ve never had a bad time at Coney Island and urge you to get down there yourself - even in the wintertime - and visit Coney Island HQ. Have a drink at the Freak Bar, check out the Museum and exit through the gift shop. And I’ll see you the third Saturday in June for the Mermaid Parade!
Guttenberg Arts
Housed in a beautifully repurposed 4,500 square foot light-manufacturing building and located (where else?) in Guttenberg, New Jersey, this non-profit visual arts organization focuses on 2-D and 3-D printing and ceramics. Sweet T. discovered Guttenberg Arts (GA) a few years back and we’ve become regulars, attending all of their workshops, openings (there’s one this Saturday) and fundraisers. We’ve also become members of their board, that’s how strongly we believe in their mission. Passionate about supporting emerging artists, GA offers a Space and Time Artist Residency (STAR). Since 2014 the STAR program has provided up to a dozen artists annually a $1200 stipend, 24/7 access to the facilities, exhibition opportunities, promotion in print and on the web and visiting critiques by curators, collectors and other artists. GA has given over $100,000 to artists and art professionals from around the world via their programs (STAR, Exhibitions, Art Festivals, Creative Workshops, Artist Talks). Rooted in community, GA has hosted tons of free programming, including over 50 creative workshops and demos, 42 exhibitions, more than 20 artist talks and 2 major art festivals. On this Giving Tuesday Guttenberg Arts seeks to raise $9,600 specifically for the STAR program. It’s been scientifically proven that just looking at art makes you smarter. You want to be smart, don’t you? Donate now and then join us this Saturday for the Made Here opening reception.
WhyHunger & the Hungerthon
When one contemplates the staggering amount of food waste in the USA and the number of Americans experiencing “food insecurity” nothing adds up. In the wealthiest nation on the planet no one - especially not children - should be going hungry. WhyHunger and the annual Hungerthon have done yeoman service in raising consciousness about the plague of hunger. On this #GivingTuesday any dollars given to WhyHunger not only provides sustenance for the body but food for thought via food waste eduction and healthy harvest programs. I usually opt to not receive the “gifts” (T-shirts, tote bags, etc.) offered in exchange for donations.
I know there are many other worthy organizations out there but these are the three top of mind on this #GivingTuesday. What are yours?
Aerial View Again
My defunct phone-in talk show Aerial View is now revived online at thehoundnyc.com. Until something changes in my schedule I'll do a new Aerial View show every Friday at 6 PM eastern time. If you missed the Aerial View "soft launch" on Friday you can catch a replay tonight at 6 PM on thehoundnyc.com.
I'm also switching my podcast Job Story over to Aerial View. Why the change? I missed being on live and interacting with callers, simple as that. The transition is going to be a bit complicated, so please bear with me.
Right now you can hear old Hound shows from WFMU and Little Water Radio streaming at thehoundnyc.com. Look for new Hound shows soon.
Job Story #29: Aerial View Begins Anew
Job Story #29 is not actually a Job Story. It's the "soft launch" Aerial View from this past Black Friday. As much as I've enjoyed doing Job Story I much prefer being on "live". You can hear Aerial View every Friday at 6 PM on thehoundnyc.com. Every Tuesday I'll put up the previous week's Aerial View as a podcast.
After 7:00 pm tonight you can click here to hear the “soft launch” Aerial View from Black Friday.
Obligatory Throwback Pic
The inspiration for the Aerial View logo. My first radio, 1965.
