How The Sci-Fi Generation Saved The World!
Posts tagged New York
1 in 7 American houses are empty. 1 in 402 Americans are Homeless = 24 Empty houses for each homeless person #ows #oo #99
This exact statistic came up yesterday during a conversation about foreclosures, and how the law bends directly towards the banks, rather than the home owner.
There are things being done in Louisville, and all over the country to fight back. Women In Transition and Occupy Louisville are actively working to educate home owners on how to battle the banks. There are even some more radical ideas in the works, in regards to foreclosed and abandoned homes.
My councilwoman, Attica Scott has made housing one of her top priorities. The number of foreclosed homes IN MY ZIP CODE is higher than it is anywhere else in this city.
With so many vacant homes, it is absolutely insane to me that there are any homeless people in this city.
I think that an initiative either by local economic/social justice groups or by the city MUST be enacted to help rebuild our communities, and put people in safe, warm housing. The houses are there, waiting to be loved. All we need to do is occupy ‘em.
Sounds of Classic New York Radio. WKTU 92.3 FM.
As we look back on the life of Don today, I couldn’t help but think about how influential radio was on so many of our careers. And how far it’s come (or fallen, depending on where you sit.) For me, one major story is that of WKTU. The right station in the right market for the right time.
In 1975, WKTU started playing an adult contemporary format. At that point, WKTU was positioned as a “soft rock” station and called “Mellow 92”. Ratings were relatively low. The station held on to the format in spite of low ratings until 1978. That June, when a station executive visited New York’s Studio 54 on half a dozen occasions, he was very impressed with the crowds there. He then got the idea that a disco music-based station was needed, as several FM-based Top 40 stations were leaning disco in other markets. As a result, the station management purchased 200 disco records and brought them into the station. Keeping the same airstaff, adding Paco from their Spanish-language AM station WHOM, and with no notice, the station abruptly flipped to a disco-based rhythmic top 40 format with the tagline “Disco 92” at 6 p.m. July 24, 1978. That fall, the station rose from “Worst to First”, unseating WABC in the 18-30 age demographic. Air personalities of this era included Kenn Hayes, Randy Place, Paul Robinson, Trip Reeb, Mary Thomas, Dave Mallow and Joe Guarisco. During the height of the disco craze, WKTU was the station to follow in New York.
At first, WKTU played mostly dance/disco and a few rhythm-friendly pop and rock songs (such as “Miss You” by the Rolling Stones), but by 1979, the station began to add more R&B music as well as rhythm friendly new wave rock. By then, WKTU was still regarded as a disco station, but could be more accurately described as rhythmic contemporary hit radio. Since that term was not yet used, the station had been classified as urban contemporary. During this period, disc jockeys such as Paco, Rosko, J.D. Holiday (Paul Zarcone), Dale Reeves, Bob Bottone, Jim Harlan Carlos DeJesus, Joe Causi, Guy Broady, Jay Thomas (yes, THAT Jay Thomas), Freddie Colon, Don Geronimo, Al Bandiero and Dianne Pryor graced the airwaves, as the station continued to be at or near the top into the 1980s.
This was a serious soundtrack for me as I explored parts of New York beyond Brooklyn.
On July 13, 1985 WKTU aired the historic Live Aid concert, and taht night, at midnight, the station switched to an album-oriented rock format, adopted the nickname of “K-Rock”, and changed their call letters to WXRK.
Now, K-Rock was great for what it was. It was the FM Stereo home of Howard Stern, for example. It introduced some great progressive mixshows. But there will never be another 92 KTU.
(The WKTU call letters, by the way, later reappeared on New York City’s 103.5 FM with a dance pop format in 1996, which would later become HOT 103, and then — HOT 97).
I listened to a lot of radio growing up in New York. The ORIGINAL KTU will always hold a special place in my heart.
Samantha Garvey, formerly homeless teen, science whiz, guest at the State of the Union, inspiration to us all.
(via NPR)
Yeah, so…there’s this. Hard to listen to people complain about nonsense when this is going on in the world.
Although it’s quite literally on the other side of the world—from New York, anyway—the trip to South Africa may not be as daunting as it seems. Thanks to South African Airways, which now offers direct flights from Manhattan to Johannesburg. The 15-hour air-time is long enough for two three-course meals (glutton), bottomless South African wine (alcoholic), and unbeatable comfort (human). For those of us who can’t afford to spend a whole day recuperating post-flight, South African Airways is the your only way to go. And go is exactly what I did, hitting the road immediately after we touched down in Johannesburg.
Following the success of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the nation has elevated itself to an international destination. Still, while Johannesburg and Cape Town can rival most cities in amenities, veering off the beaten path is a must for any seasoned traveler. After 14 days spent immersing myself in the best that South Africa has to offer, I’ve returned with a curated list of five essential destinations that simply cannot be missed.
