Latest posts
Corey Bearak
Dec29
A year-end review
Posted By : Corey Bearak

At the end of each year I traditionally rank my top ten concerts.  This year I took a different approach.  I shared a chronological listing as I found it difficult to rank them.  As I related in my commentary, "What I found really difficult throughout involved settling on one concert as the best of the bunch. All I found special; some sets were l

Corey Bearak
Dec22
Musical Prep for NYE
Posted By : Corey Bearak

I Know we have not "encountered" Christmas and Chanukah yet but one tradition I follow is to post on the Sunday before Christmas eve and earlier if Chanukah which starts this year the eve of Christmas Day, falls sooner, my verified (meaning all the links work) Songs to Ring In The New Year playlist to ring in New Year’s eve.   As most know, with

Corey Bearak
Dec15
Live vinyl
Posted By : Corey Bearak

Most folk know this commentator’s affinity for live music.  I enjoy attending concerts – immensely.  I was viewing a YouTube video and I saw a few links to top 10 live albums.  Both I checked out involved vinyl.  I had a few on each list.  While I like such lists, I never thought to list a top ten of my live LPs. It got me curious to how many Live

Corey Bearak
Dec08
Tunes to enjoy this holiday season
Posted By : Corey Bearak

Each Thanksgiving I check to see when I blogged the prior year about music for the holiday season.  That we often begin to hear that music when families gather the last Thursday in November is what brings my Holiday Music Playlist to mind.  The only thing that delays that blog is the need to timely report  this year’s Gotham Green Award® winners an

Corey Bearak
Dec01
GOtham GREEN® continues a tradition recognizing worthy initiatives and businesses
Posted By : Corey Bearak

Early in my career I enjoyed opportunities to work to enact major environmental initiatives including “The NYC Recycling Law,” the “Spill Bill,” mandating cleanup of accidental releases of hazardous substances or assessing three times the cost of any cleanup performed by the City of New York (The Hazardous Substance Emergency Response Law - 1987 Lo

Corey Bearak
Nov24
Closure
Posted By : Corey Bearak

It was that time again. Cannot ignore it. Cannot avoid it. Cannot delay it.  The outside office —at least of very last vestiges of it — got formerly closed yesterday.  Much of the work got done the preceding weekend. Just needed to dispose of some cushions for my chair; we decided to secure new cushions next season. I’ll miss being able to “deploy”

Corey Bearak
Nov17
tis the season to give
Posted By : Corey Bearak

A Gotham mantra – it’s better to give than receive...” – takes a special meaning as next month begins. Not just because Gotham approaches a countdown to when our tribe announces the recipient charities of its annual Season of Giving. In just over two weeks, the first Tuesday, after Thanksgiving, that’s Tuesday, December 3, this year 2024, Giving Tu

Corey Bearak
Nov10
a change that just fits
Posted By : Corey Bearak

We had decided to replace more Post caps on the fence around my deck.  Some of the original caps cracked and we liked the replacements our "painting (and more) contractor" installed.  I found them on line at one of my go to hardware stores but for some reason the transaction was not going through; they insisted the issue was with my credit card; th

Corey Bearak
Nov04
bicycle paths
Posted By : Corey Bearak

Shelly likes to ride her bike and this hobby involves visits to different parks in Queens (so far). One Sunday, it was Cunningham Park. For several times over the summer, we headed over to Little Bay Park across from Fort Totten from where she rode the Joe Michaels Mile nestled along Little Neck Bay and the Cross Island Parkway. Alley Pond Park has

Corey Bearak
Oct27
Halloween
Posted By : Corey Bearak

Last year this time I blogged about a Halloween bash. Also last week it occurred to me review my Halloween playlist that I (finally) created last year. Turned out there was a song that belonged that I did not include then; so 40 tunes grew to 41. Since there are a few more days for those with children or grandchildren who might trick or treat, I sh

Corey Bearak
Oct20
hope
Posted By : Corey Bearak

Building on the vibe in last week's commentary in this space, many I know root for a subway series.  The Bronx "tenants" did their part.  We'll know soon enough the outcome involving the Queens "tenants" I root for and who I brought my very appreciative daughter to a game also attended by my brother Jeff and Friday's blogger and sons and grandson l

Corey Bearak
Oct13
I Can Feel The Fire
Posted By : Corey Bearak

This commentary's title reflects more than a great song.  It reflects the feeling last week following my baseball team in the NLDS.  It also became the name of great song and video lists I got moved to create after the Mets clinched their divisional series at home and joined some labor colleagues outside at a fire pit. Let me start by sharing I wa

Corey Bearak
Oct06
It Keeps You Runnin’
Posted By : Corey Bearak

Last week (No matter last night’s outcome as this got drafted before the NLDS game that matters to this commentator.) was a rather nice. In the middle of the summer I made plans with Marisa to take my daughter who likes live music at least as much as her dad to see the Doobie Brothers at the Capitol Theatre in Portchester last Monday eve. I was alr

Corey Bearak
Sep29
38 days
Posted By : Corey Bearak

38 days.   As in how many days until we vote and all eligible should exercise that right.    But in many state “early voting” already started (In New York State early voting for 2024 runs October 26 through November 3.)    I’ve long advocated voting; it really matters. Those who follow the main act election this year will note all the polls a

Corey Bearak
Sep22
One Beautiful Summer
Posted By : Corey Bearak

Last week’s blog teased about this week’s commentary. Cool for Cats is one of the signature songs by Squeeze; and the eve of the appearance last week’s blog found us with friends Jarmine and Eric at Mohegan Sun to see that wonderful band. It was basically a co-headliner situation with Boy George (Anyone remember Culture Club?) but we were there for