My work cohort and/or Assistant is Dana Zarro (née Crohn). We have been together since the early 1970s. See photo above of us back in the day. We Lifers have lots in common. Not the least of which is that we are both Left handed and love dogs (although I came to that later than she). You may be familiar with Dana as Gotham's new member applic …
If you like good music (yeah, yeah), mark Sunday, April 17th on your calendar. No Arthur Conley but still some sweet sounds. On that day, the 4th annual Gotham Battle of the Bands® takes place at the iconic Rock venue Cafe Wha? (Thank you Make A Difference Group Co-Chair William Skody for making available his world famous venue) in the heart of …
It might sound innocent or simplistic, but I really like nice people. I know them when I experience them and, sadly, they are kinda rare to be found. Genuinely nice people stoke me up and make me feel good and I want to share the feeling and do everything for them and, hopefully, them for me. It's like old time panning for gold. When one turn …
Recently I experienced a funeral at Pinelawn National Cemetery on a freezing, desolate, snowy day. The deceased was a Navy veteran and he was honored with a military funeral. The casket was draped by a flag of large Stars and Stripes. A Naval bugler blew forlorn taps away from the casket and into the swirling wind. Once Day Was Done the two s …
I try not to live in or dwell on the past. I seek to be in the moment and make my memories. Memories like my recent trip to Cuba where everything was old, but new to me. A unique entry into the Twilight Zone. You never get a second chance to make or have a positive first impression and realizing that I wallowed in the moment. The Lesson learne …
My name is Charcoal and I am a 3 year old female 13 pound cross between a poodle and a Schnauzer aka Schnoodle. One of my many assets is that I'm hyperallegenic and that's why I landed with Joanne and Fred Klein. We coexist and get along well and that's why I agreed to submit to the following interview with Fred. Q. What is your favorite activi …
My father taught that "There's nothing new under the sun"and Dylan recently said that after listening to folk songs repeatedly as a young man that "They gave me the code for everything that's fair game and that everything belongs to everyone". So, based upon the above oracles I conclude that creativity is inspired by what we experience, take in, di …
Last week we visited Cuba for 6 days. It was my first visit, but back in the day my Damon Runyon character dad was a frequent gambling visitor to Havana and was on the last flight out in the final moments of Castro's revolution. At the outset it was a trying experience as the plane was hours late and when we were all finally on the plane the crew …
My sister asked me if I could time travel in my present state would I like to go backward or forward. She chose going forward and said if things were not good at that future time she would "off" herself. I would chose going back to the 1950s. It's a classic case of if I knew then what I know now. I imagine Going to Yankee games as an adult as the …
Elvis would have been 81 today. I wrote my best poem, The King, about Elvis. I adored the early Elvis as he came up in synch with my teenage hormonal awakening. Then he had to go into the Army. I once had a momentary one on one exchange with him. It was in his post Army-Vegas period. My Damon Runyon father had taken me to Vegas as a coming of a …
As 2015 came to a close with a crescendo of "Happy Holidays" and parties I look back on the year. It was, for me, a very good year. First and foremost our family (immediate and Gotham) is thriving and healthy. Secondly, I enjoyed a number of highlights along the way. In equal measure, I was thrilled to be honored by the Russo Family Theresa Fou …
Whenever it is Christmas I think of dearly departed Bob Formica, our Networker of the Decade in 2007. I cherish the above picture which captures his twinkling spirit, holiday season or otherwise. He was one extraordinary, terrific guy and he had a great sense of humor. He was a great addition to Gotham and my life and I miss him dearly.
I'm a dreamer (morning, noon and night) and I remember many of my in sleep dreams. Most, if not all, are not good. For example, last month I propelled myself out of bed to escape a particularly gruesome situation and landed on my head. I will never forget that dream no matter what my brain damage may have been. Many of my dreams are recurrent lik …
When we were young we worshipped the sun and could never get enough "Rays". "Catching Rays" with a reflector while coated with iodine laced baby oil was de rigueur. The above picture is representative of my "Chocolate Man" period. However, as the years passed (and the ozone layer burned away) baby oil morphed into sun screen as the sun began to …
This is a shout out for 2 Gotham Committees with which I recently worked: The Gotham Film Festival Committee (Chaired by Steven Skyles-Mulligan plus Cayce Crown, Judy Mauer and Gideon Schein) and the Gotham Green Awards Committee (Co Chaired by Corey Bearak and Josh Zinder plus Group Coordinator Sherry Rivera). Against tense deadline pressure eac …
Fridays With Fred
A perfect way to send you into your weekend