The Met Game was rained out tonight

Tonight was the first game in my 7-pack of tickets that include the last game to be played at Shea Stadium.  The weather forecast said showers, but nothing about a sustained rainfall.  Once we got to the stadium it started to rain.  Finally at 8:20 the game was called off.  We at least got 3 models of Shea Stadium.  I feel sorry for people who had to travel a long way.  I got home in time for the last hour of Saturday Night Oldies.

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Spotlight on WBGO

Some of the best radio programming is at the left of the FM dial which is devoting to non-commercial statements.  I believe that NYC lost its last commercial jazz station in the early 1980s when WRVR became WKHK (country) and later WLTW.  WBGO  started in 1979 as the radio station of the Newark Board of Education.  Shortly after that it became a traditional jazz station as opposed to CD101.9 which played smooth jazz until February 2008 when it changed format.  I am not an expert on jazz music, but I listen as a change of pace.  My NJIT colleague Joe says that other non-commerical jazz stations have a much broader playlist.  Right now I am listening to Felix's Hernandez's Rhythm Revue, a specialty show, which plays classic soul music.  I usually listen to WBGO at home over the Internet since the reception in Queens is spotty.  Their studios and transitter is in Newark within walking distance of NJIT.

Spotlight on WFUV

This will be in the first of a series of journal entries discussing various radio stations.  I will discuss each station from my point of view.  If you are interested in reading the details about the station please check out their website.  I started to listen to them in the early 1990s.  I remember seeing a listing in the New York Times for a special day of programming honoring Bob Dylan's birthday on May 24th.  For all of these years it has been my "change of pace" station.  They play a lot of folk music or a format in radio business jargon Adult Album Alternative.  It is a not for profit station affiliated with Fordham University in the Bronx.  Many WFUV alumni such as Vin Scully have become distinugished broadcasters.  I used to listen to Ben Soper in the evening, but he moved on years ago.  I usually listen to Claudia Marshall's morning show for about 1/2 hour.  legendary New York personality Pete Fornatale started as a student back in the 1960s, but later returned to the station.  His Mixed Bag show is heard 4 PM - 8 PM on Saturdays.  I also listen to part of John Platt's Sunday Morning Breakfast.  I suggest that readers of this journal at least check it out.

Check out Dave DuBrow's Journal File

My good friend Dave DuBrow initiated his Journal File several months ago.  However, he now has his own domain which makes the address much easier to remember.  Please check it out at http://www.davedubrow.net  .

Oy Vey! Between Bob Dylan and the Mets - 9 New DVDs

First of all, I ordered this 6 DVD set showing six amazing at Shea Stadium:

1. Game 4 of the 1969 World Series against Baltimore

2. Game 3 of the 1986 NLCS vs Houston

3. Game 6 of the 1986 World Series against Boston (I'll buy an extra copy for Pagebyrner)

4.Game 5 of  the 1999 NLCS vs Atlanta featuring Robin Ventura's grand slam single.

5. September 21, 2001 against Atlanta, the first sporting event in NYC after the 9/11 tragedy

6 May 19, 2006 vs the Yankees

There are also special features of other historic event at Shea Stadium

I stopped by the Borders in Penn Station before going to work today.  I bought:

Bob Dylan 1978-1989 Both Ends of the Rainbow (a documentary)

Bob Dylan in Performance (a 2 DVD set)

I will have to find the time to watch all of this!

DVD of the Day

When I ordered the DVD of the Byrds I also requested the DVD John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.  This  video described how John's first album after the breakup of the Betles was made.  It includes interviews with Jann Wenner, Yoko Ono, Klaus Voorman, and Ringo Starr among others. Since there were no Met or Yankee games on TV tonight, we had time to watch it.  It is sad to think what music John would have made had henot been tragically taken away from us on December 8, 1980.

Revisiting the 1964/65 New York Worlds Fair on a Hot Day

On a very hot day we took a walk to the Queens Historical Society to here local historian Pierre Montiel talk about the 1964/65 Worlds Fair that was held in Flushing Meadows Park.  He showed about 100 slides featuring attractions including exhibits by General Motors, Ford, New York State, the Vatican, Johnson's Wax, Bell Telephone, and IBM among many others.  It brought back many memories of my going there as a 15 year old with either my friends or family.  It is really a shame that there was never another Worlds Fair in the metropolitan area.  Mr. Montiel said that it cost about $1 Billion in 1964 dollars so the cost today would be prohibitively high.