At Thanksgiving which we celebrated last Thursday, we express thanks for our family, friends and all good things. In two days we get a different chance to express our thanks. Indeed, many of our inboxes probably experienced receipt of email messages exhorting our participation in giving on Tuesday, christened “Giving Tuesday,” Interestingly, in Go …
Today please join me in celebrating two special anniversaries. One involves music and 50 years. Another not yet a decade but many people think much longer. This eve, as some who follow Gotham’s music listserve know, the first of two anniversary concerts recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the iconic Byrds LP, “Sweetheart of the Rodeo,” takes …
A few nights ago, one might say Marisa returned the favor. She took her dad to see a show. A long time a-coming, as the lyrics go. I believe her first time was during the winter a quarter century ago. Marisa was not yet in school. Today’s birthday boy was but several months in First Grade. Only one of three shows I attended that year, all with a …
Today’s Sunday blog covers how the right tribe behind you and with you helps you make a difference and makes a difference for you and the other with whom you connect. Please read on! Since I began moderating Fredslist (and Promolist) at the end of last summer I early get to see requests for help, as well as thank yous to members of our Gotham tri …
The wretchedly rainy weather suggests otherwise. Usually the warm weather we usually find – albeit not this year – signals wondrous opportunities to experience live music, often outside. So in addition to looking forward to attending some baseball games, discussions before, between and after my weekly weekend and eve basketball games involves upc …
This afternoon, Gotham hosts its annual Battle of the Bands®. In contrast to discussions about politics that tend towards controversy and division, music tends to bring people of different persuasions together. Some of my social media posts (I purposely avoid giving P.R. to either platform in this blog) invite “interesting” comments. Even ar …
Just over was three years ago, Gotham lost one of its good guys – Jack Friedman who had passed away earlier today just days short of his 56th birthday. Fittingly because Jack enjoyed live music – we attended several shows together, I drafted a post to Fredslist and the Gotham website wall about his passing and the funeral and Shiva arrangements …
My enjoyment of good music remains steadfast. Those who know me best know my preferences (tastes?). Indeed leaving a lunch last month at my alma mater (same place for poli. sci. and law school) the question, what is Poco?, got posed by the distinguished ethics professor and the speaker my friend Sean and I delivered to the Mineola LIRR on our way b …
Let me start with best wishes for the new year. I hope I helped a bit to get you ready with last week’s blog highlighting my song list to ring in the new year which also exists in a YouTube playlist. (If you tire of music since two weeks ago I covered my Holiday song playlist and last week I shared concerts I streamed driving to a Chanukah gather …
Folks know my enjoyment of basketball. I still play two times weekly, most often one eve and one weekend morning. I talk basketball with my friends, mostly the pro game. We discuss who the Knicks should keep or trade and what they need. Strong feelings exist around certain players. Before the draft one friend suggested trading KP for a …
Recently its been coming up more and more, the importance of using your words carefully and intentionally. In my life, I've been pretty careless with words. I was raised in a clever, articulate, SARCASTIC household - mix in a little alcohol (maybe not a little) and you get desensitized to how things feel to others. I admire Fred's ability to love …
Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep.I am a thousand winds that blow,I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grainI am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush,I am that swift uplifting rushOf quiet birds in circled flight.I am the soft star that shines at night. Do not stand a …
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. He gives his …
I never was a fan of the Pope. Or organized religion for that matter. I understand the power of like minded people gathering to celebrate similar beliefs. And I will defend your right to worship any old way you damn please. Or not worship any old way you damn please. Anyway, back to Pope Francis, the Catholic church in particular, has not been a fr …
I returned the favor. For my birthday Shelly took me to see Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes at B.B. King's Saturday eve. In my college years I would see a concert on on near the date of my birthday. Approaching my 18th birthday, I saw Dave Mason at Hofstra U. About a week shy the following year I saw Eric Clapton at the Nassau Coliseum. …
