Random thoughts of the Day

 

• Today would have been Harry Harrsions's 90th birthday.
• For the past two days, I attended virtual Rosh Hashana services offered by the Free Synagogue of Flushing.  The Rabbi, Cantor, pianist, and camera operators were the only ones in the temple.  The people blowing the shofar did it remotely.
• NYC Oldies Radio Enthusiasts is one of the Facebook groups that I moderate.  I can not understand why people from outside the New York Metropolitan area join it.  Most of them are lurkers.  Many people use this group to promote their internet radio shows.
• I really hope that Donald Trump can be blocked from nominating a Supreme Court justice.  The Republicans denied Barack Obama's nominee from being considered 9 months before the election in 2016.  Politics suck.
• I saw the documentary RBG a few years ago but did not document it in this journal.  She was an extraordinary woman.

Virtual High Holy Day Services at the Free Synagogue of Flushing This Year

 First of all, I wish all my readers who observe the holidays a happy and healthy new year.  For several years we have attended High Holy Day services at the Free Synagogue of Flushing.  They have never charged anyone for attending services.  Every year I send them a donation to support their efforts.  Since there are still limitations on gatherings, the temple is offering virtual services.  I assume that current regulations would allow for 10 men to attend in person allowing for a minyan.  This would include, the rabbi, cantor, and those reading the Torah.  I will attend their virtual services.

Count Your Blessings When You See a Food Line

I was sitting and reading in the little park adjacent to PS 214 in the Mitchell Linden section of Queens where I live.  I observed a line of people by the school waiting for food that was more than a block long.  The coronavirus pandemic has thrown millions of people out of work and sadly these people don't have the money to buy food.  I often see people in the neighborhood scrounging garbage to find bottles and cans that they can redeem for 5 cents each.

When I see that I am glad that I have a good pension and am able to support my family at this time that has created stress for me.  If things are bad for you, always realize that it is worse for other people.

 

Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour to Return

 

There were about 100 episodes of Theme Time Radio Hour recorded and played on SiriusXM radio, but the series stopped.  All of a sudden there will be a new show with the theme Whiskey.  Dylan is the owner of a distillery which makes Heaven's Door Whiskey.  This new episode will be heard the Monday, September 21 at 2 PM on the Deep Tracks Channel.  Fortunately, I will be home to hear it.  Below is the official announcement:

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Heaven's Door Spirits, an evolving collection of American whiskeys created by Bob Dylan and Spirits Investment Partners, is proud to announce Dylan's return to his famed "Theme Time Radio Hour" series for a special episode. Kicking off a special week-long limited run of Bob Dylan Theme Time Radio Hour on SiriusXM's Deep Tracks (ch. 27), beginning Monday, September 21st, at 12 p.m. ET, this program feature theme is "Whiskey" in honor of Bourbon Heritage Month. The new, never-before-heard episode will then be made available on the Heaven's Door website and social channels, Bob Dylan's website, and social channels, as well as all major streaming services starting September 25th.

Discovering Pete Hamill Shortly after His Passing

 In early August I found out that writer Pete Hamill died at age 85.  I certainly heard about him, but never knew the details of his life and career.  According to his obituary in the New York Times, he was a "celebrated reporter, columnist, and the top editor of The New York Post and The Daily News; a foreign correspondent for The Post and The Saturday Evening Post; and a writer for New York Newsday, The Village Voice, Esquire, and other publications. He wrote a score of books, mostly novels but also biographies, collections of short stories and essays, and screenplays, some adapted from his books." I found out about a documentary Breslin and Hamill Deadline Artists that I was able to view since I am a subscriber to HBO.

I decided to seek out some of his publications.  I bought his autobiography, A Drinking Life on Amazon.com. It was published in 1994.

He traced his life starting out as a young boy in Brooklyn.  He was very interested in cartoons but became a writer much later.  His first job was with the New York Post.  He moved to several cities in different countries and eventually most back to Brooklyn.  He ended this partial autobiography in 1974 when he finally kicked his drinking habit.

I also bought Downtown which I thought was an autobiography of his later years.  It was published in 2004.  I was surprised to find out that it was a guide to Lower Manhattan where Pete lived for most of his later life.  He offers a historical perspective on many of the streets and attractions from the Battery to Times Square.  It can actually be useful to tourists.

Should I explore more of his works?  I can't always read about baseball or rock music.

Bill Graham and the Rock & Roll Revolution at the New York Historical Society

 

Before the pandemic forced closures of museums I observed that there was an exhibit featuring Bill Graham and his concerts at the New York Historical Society.  The museum just reopened yesterday so today was a good time to visit.  One must purchase a timed ticket in advance and the museum may only admit 25% of its capacity at a time.  I last visited this museum in March 2019 so it was time for a return visit.

Bill Graham was a German-American impresario and rock concert promoter from the 1960s until his death in 1991 in a helicopter crash.  The exhibit started out was some biographical information about him.  Most of the exhibit featured posters and other artifacts from the concerts he promoted over the years.  Many of them were at the Fillmore in San Francisco and Fillmore East in NYC.  Both of those venues closed in 1971.

He promoted concerts with The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, and the Rolling Stones among others.  I didn't know that he promoted The Last Waltz in 1976 and the Bob Dylan and The Band tour in 1974.

Photo of Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead

I highly recommend this exhibition for my friends who are oldies and classic rock enthusiasts.  There were a few other exhibits at the museum that my readers may find on the website.

I am Glad that Indoor Dining Will be Returning on September 30 in NYC

 

 I certainly have missed going out to restaurants for meals over the past 6 months.  It was a nuisance to walk to fast-food restaurants in the neighborhood buy the food and walk quickly back home to eat it before it gets cold. On several occasions, we drove for 15 minutes to Ben's Deli to order sandwiches and then drive back home.

There are restrictions as there can only be 25% capacity sitting in the restaurants.  This could create lines at popular restaurants.  Hopefully, they will take reservations.  I do sense there are politics involved in this decision.  Restaurants as close as Nassau and Westchester counties were allowed to open with 50% capacity several months ago.  Sadly, thousands of restaurants in New York State have closed over the past months.  As of now the infection rate is less than 1%, but Mayor de Blasio states that if the infection rates hit 2 % indoor dining will stop.

Bon appetit.