Friday, I attend the Queens Borough President's Annual State of the Borough ("SOTB") speech. The last several years I've attended the SOTB with my daughter Marisa who works at the American Jewish Committee. This year I met in the parking lot the venue, Queens Theatre in the Park, shares with the Queens Museum in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. She …
Something unexpected intruded on “my” Friday. I expected to focus on getting the last few items submitted to access a federal grant toward the new building renovation project for SNAP senior center, monitoring that day’s hearing on what I call the congestion pricing tax, visiting TD Bank to deposit donations to Northeast Queens Jewish Community Cou …
For several months, I’ve been meeting via Zoom with like-minded folks who oppose the imposition of a toll-tax (aka congestion pricing) to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street. Late last year, as other concerned folks and groups joined our weekly Zooms, those gathered decided to hire a lawyer and explore bringing a lawsuit. The group chose a name an …
In 2012, Gotham added its Red Bandana Award, in addition to its annual Networker of the Year Award (initiated in 2004). The Year before (2011) Gotham selected my co-chair of GOtham GREEN® Joshua Zinder, and me as Networkers of the Year. Both awards, announced at Gotham’s Annual Holiday Party, can only be won once and gain entry in to the hallowed G …
I've been telling friends and colleagues I am free to accept certain appointment without checking first this weekend (and a few days before and after because I am (temporarily) a bachelor. A friend liked my response to a a group text invite to a bagel breakfast that likely took place before most (other than Friday's blogger) read this commentary to …
Just under four years ago Marisa and I attended Peter Frampton's Farewell tour at Madison Square Garden. Following his diagnosis with Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM), Peter expected not to be able to play much longer. According to John Hopkins, IBM "causes muscle weakness that may worsen over time and damage the muscles. The rate of this decline va …
We often call our Gotham Network which hosts this blog a tribe. The success of two meetings last evidences that moniker. I enjoyed two breakfast time networking meetings on successive mornings last week. One meeting I chaired virtually; the other I participated in-person. Each had its benefits. I saw and interacted with people I enjoy, do som …
No secret how proud Shelly and I are proud of our children (and our daughter in law too). When we gathered last night for dinner I toasted Jonathan and Marisa for their recent achievement. This weekend I tweeted (see pic upper right)-- twice, last night and Friday -- about proud parent moments: Jonathan -- published again -- this time in Studi …
On a day where many friends gather to catch a game or use a game an “excuse” to gather, I want to thank friends working together to make nice things happen. I certainly have used this space to advocate for causes I support and work with and for. Many friends in and out of Gotham join me to support Services Now for Adult Persons (SNAP) where I …
As the week began I received an email from my friend and Gotham colleague Amparo Connors who runs an employee placement firm (temps and permanent); Amparo reached out to those she usually sends holiday/season’s greetings/ new year wishes concerning the intended token. Our discussion led me to suggest that topic for the joint meeting of Gotham Queen …
It was a whirlwind of a week. Sunday afternoon I had an appointment at the Apple Store in Roosevelt Field to determine if my iPad which failed to charge Friday could be repaired; I replaced it with a newer model. Sunday eve we attended a Theresa Foundation Comedy Fundraiser and Shelly won a raffle. Monday, setting up a meeting and photo shoot the n …
Friday’s Gotham blogger suggested today’s commentary. Interestingly his Friday blog covered modes of community. He found interesting how I balanced multiple Zooms as Gotham Queens, (GQ) a group I “mentor” met Thursday. Gotham Zooms can run on average 90 minutes but when in person one might allocate up to two hours for many such networking sessions; …
Many in our tribe talk about “The Power of Gotham.” Many involved in our Gotham tribe support charitable activities. The Gotham Foundation each year at our holiday party supports charitable causes that matters to our members. Gotham even features a Make A Difference “MAD” group for those connected to causes and more; others may differ but I tak …
Not yet reflected on the Gotham Networking website, but a partnership of two Gotham Groups that opted to meet together throughout the 2021 pandemic challenged year forged a brand new Gotham amalgamation for 2022. Gotham Busines POWER Breakfast held its inaugural meeting, Wednesday morning January 12 (, 2022). In 2021 building on an informal d …
Halloween and Election Day are old news now (well for most of us) and Thanksgiving Day approaches. With that I often think about the day after when my Pythian Lodge holds a BINGO fundraiser the night after. But, a few years back, an event a few days later captured my attention; and this year I opt to focus attention on it a bit earlier: Giving Tu …
