The NYC Heat Wave That Killed 1300 People

It's official now--the summer of 2010 was the hottest summer on record for New York City.  The average temperature for June, July and August was 77.8....the highest since record keeping began.  There has been a lot of bitching and moaning about the heat here in the City.  But comparatively, this summer was nothing compared to a heat wave more than 100 years ago that killed more than a thousand New Yorkers.


In August of 1896, the city baked over a period of 10 days where the temperature registered over 90 degrees with 90% humidity, even at night.  In todays terms, the "Heat Index" during this week and half period often hit 120 degrees.  Of course, this was before the invention of air conditioning so people (and countless horses) were dropping like flies.  One of the odder ways people died was from rolling off the roofs of tenements and fire escapes where they were sleeping.


There's a new book out that details this nearly forgotten chapter in NYC history.  It's called "Hot Time In The Old Town" by historian Ed Kohn.  One interesting fact is that Theodore Roosevelt was the police commissioner at the time and, in lieu of a mayor who did nothing, he took action and distributed ice to the poor.  It was a transformative moment for the young Roosevelt, who got a very close look at conditions the lower class lived in and was inspired by the experience to do what he could as he rose to power, eventually becoming President of the United States.


I haven't read this book but it on my list now.  It would have been good beach reading but maybe it'll be better not to be baking while reading a book about it.  

Food Truck Rally At Govenor's Island

With Hurricane Earl making a trip to the beach not that appealing this weekend, there are some other unique holiday options here in the city.  If you're looking for something fun and unusual this Labor Day, I'd recommend a trip to Governor's Island for the Food Truck rally.  It's happening on Sunday only, from 12n to 5pm on Colonel's Row.


Yeah, I know....Food Truck's are oh-so -rendy these days and maybe you're getting a little sick of hearing about them.  But the point of Food Trucks is eating, not discussing.  So go eat something already!  [said in my best Jewish grandmother voice]  :)  There will be ice cream from Van Leuuwen, seafood from Red Hook Lobster Pound and slushies from Kelvin Natural Slush along with seven other trucks.  The Big Gay Ice Cream Truck was not listed on the program but who knows.....maybe he'll pull a surprise attack!  

Cute Video Of The Week-Marcel The Shell

This little short film about a very little shell named Marcel has been making the viral rounds this week. It's popped up on FB more than once and a number of blogs as well.  It was written and voiced by Jenny Slate, a first-year SNL cast member who also pops up on Jimmy Fallon's show too.  The jokes are sharp but it's all in the delivery....enjoy!

A Short Spoof Of The Brett Easton Ellis Universe

I was scrolling through Facebook this morning and found this video posted by a friend.  It's a short film directed Matthew Ross called "Inspired by Brett Easton Ellis".  This is a very snappy little 3-minute summary of the Ellis-verse starring some actual celebrities too....Kip Pardue and James Van Der Beek.  If you've read only "Less Than Zero", you'll get the basic idea.  If you haven't, a word of warning that this is a bit NSFW.  

Broadway's Newly Restored Belasco Theatre

As a fan of Broadway, I'm also a fan of Broadway theatres. I especially have mad love for the older houses along the Great White Way with their ornate murals, draperies and architectural flourishes. Along with some of their elderly patrons, they are the true grand dames of old Broadway. 


Recently, one of Broadway's oldest theatres the Belasco (which opened in 1907) underwent a 14 million dollar renovation, restoring it to it's original glory.  There was a great article and accompanying slide show in the TIMES this weekend of the Belasco through the years, along with details on the meticulous re-do.  


I saw "Passing Strange" here a few years ago and look forward to returning to the new Belasco soon.  

Emmys Open With GLEE And The Boss

Last night's Emmy awards got off to a musical start with host Jimmy Fallon, the cast of GLEE and an assortment of TV stars in an awesome number featuring Bruce Springsteen's "Born To Run".  I thought this one topped Neil Patrick Harris' effort last year but, then again, I'm a bit of a GLEE fanatic. :)  


I only wish that this song was available on iTunes but I doubt that will ever happen.  The Boss is notorious for charging astronomical licensing fees for his music, which is why you don't see his stuff turning up very often on TV or in the movies.  Actually, I was pretty surprised to see a Springsteen song opening the Emmy's but my bet is he must have a teenage daughter who is also a GLEE fan.  


Due to these rights issues, the opening number is not available on NBC's website. But you can watch it here....though probably just for the next 12 hours or so.  

Some Amazing Pics of WTC Ship

Last month, while excavating for the new World Trade Center, workmen discovered the bow of a very old ship.  I posted about it here but wanted to follow up with some extraordinary 360 view photos that have been put up on the web recently.  


The ship dates from the 18th century and was a Brigantine, a workhorse of the seas that up and down the eastern seaboard on short to medium hauls.  It was discovered about 30 feet underground and subsequently was removed from the site in late July and sent to the Maryland Archeological Conservation Library in St. Leonard where it will be examined further.  This was the first ship to be found on a construction site in the city since 1982.  

A Tribute To Artists Lost To AIDS

My friend and fellow filmmaker Ira Sachs made a short film called LAST ADDRESS that premiered at Sundance earlier this year.  The film shows the exteriors of the buildings where gay downtown artists like Keith Haring, Robert Mapplethorpe and David Wojnarowicz lived and often worked before they succumbed to AIDS. Ira's 8-minute short serves as a beautiful elegy to these New York artists and the unique time in which they lived.  


This week, a companion website went up online with more information about these extraordinary men.  I encourage you to check it out; you can watch Ira's film below and you can visit the website here.  All in all, the LAST ADDRESS project serves as a lovely tribute to an amazing group of artists who may be gone but whose work will not soon be forgotten.  

Inception Spoof Is Shot-On

There's a fun spoof of the INCEPTION trailer I came across recently called INEBRIATION.  It's pretty funny and silly and made for about 1/1000th of the actual movie. Though it certainly helps to have Hans Zimmer's score to make the point.  Anyway, I'll just let the damn thing speak for itself. 

Don Draper Is In The Hood

On this week's episode of MAD MEN, Don Draper wrote a check which had on it the address of his new bachelor pad:  104 Waverly Place, apt 3B.  Yes, it's true, Don Draper is in the hood, his apartment just a few blocks from mine....though we are separated, of course, by about 40 years.  


Anyway, I stopped by 104 Waverly Place to see what the joint looked like.  Unfortunately, there is no 104 Waverly Place.  There is 106 to the right and then the back of a large apartment building on the corner, listed as 29 Washington Square West.  If there were a 104, it would be that little alleyway with all the garbage out front. (The picture is from GoogleMaps, clearly taken on garbage pickup day.)


It was probably due to legal necessity that the producers had to use a fake address.  However, I'm sure the people at 106 Waverly are breathing a sigh of relief.  The unfortunate folks who live in the building at the corner of Bedford and Grove (the exterior for FRIENDS) are constantly beseiged by camera-wielding tourists standing on the corner day & night snapping their own friends.