Thu 25 Feb 2010

Willing to Bet on Atlantic City’s Qua Baths & Spa

Posted by dmairoldi under Travel
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I’m not a gambler nor do I care for typical U.S. gaming destinations, so I never head to Las Vegas unless I have to for a work assignment, I’ve never been to Reno for any reason, and I’ve stopped in Atlantic City to check out the boardwalk and pick up some saltwater taffy … once, in 1992.

As I write this, however, I’m thinking it’s time I gave Atlantic City another chance.

Pourquoi?

Perhaps it’s because after job searching for more than six months and finding only part-time work, I’m willing to risk my remaining savings on the craps table. I figure my chances of succeeding with games of chance compared to successfully landing a journalism job comparable to my last position are about equal. Atlantic City is the easiest place for me to take that leap into Lady Luck’s arms.

Perhaps too it’s because of the dreary wall of weather that has kept me cooped up inside all day, staring at falling nothingness. Anything has to be better than this.

Truth be told though, what tempted me was a release I received for the Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars, which has put three of its classic 50-minute treatments on sale for just $99 from March 1 to April 30, 2010: Classic Body Exfoliation, Classic Massage, and Classic Hydration Facial.

2871_preview
I need these treatments.

No, really, I do.

You see, I’m a spa junkie. Have been ever since my first professional massage 20 years ago. I almost never pass up an opportunity for some pampering, especially if it’s reduced-price pampering, even if it means I have to cut down on my other expenses (like groceries) for a couple weeks. Plus Spring—hallelujah!—is just around the corner, so it’ll be a nice way to get ready for the shedding of hats and coats and scarves and gloves and boots and sweaters and socks (oh my).

So just how much savings does this mean, precisely? $138, which can go toward my transportation and hotel. That’s $56 off the exfoliation treatment (normally $155) and $41 off both the Swedish massage and facial, which each regularly go for $140.

Of course I realize I can “save” even more if I just don’t go. But what fun would that be? And how will I ever know if Lady Luck is on my side?

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Tue 16 Feb 2010

Keith Haring: 20 Years Since His Death, Where to Find Haring Art in NYC

Posted by dmairoldi under Uncategorized
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Today marks the 20th anniversary of the death of Keith Haring, downtown NYC artist phenom of the 1980s. I can’t believe it’s two decades already since he succumbed to AIDS.

Haring was huge during my college years in the mid 1980s, his graffiti-inspired style and artworks showing up everywhere from New York City subways to the cover for the 1987 album A Very Special Christmas, which benefited the Special Olympics, to murals around the world, including one on the Berlin Wall, which he saw fall just three months before he died. His works were simple, yet effective. They made you laugh; they made you think.

Haring Shirt

I lived in Chicago during that era, but I would travel to New York at least two or three times a year to get my “Downtown” fix, and never missed an opportunity to hit the Pop Shop, Haring’s retail store on Lafayette Street in SoHo, to pick up t-shirts, bags, buttons, posters, and post cards. Especially buttons. It was the 80s, after all. Radiant Baby, Free South Africa, Barking Dog. I still have them all. (Yes, that is me to the left wearing one of my remaining Haring shirts today, with my cat Lola looking on.) My writing partner Nichole and I even used a photo of us in front of the mural mirror from the Pop Shop for the second cover of our zine ¿What? in late 1990. (Unfortunately my scanner is broken so I’ll have to add that photo later.)

Haring used his artwork and retail opportunities to spread awareness of issues he championed, particularly AIDS awareness and the anti-Apartheid movement. You can also credit him, not Whitney Houston, for the saying “Crack is Wack,” which appeared on a 1986 mural in an East Harlem park.

So in honor of Keith Haring, his artwork and his activism, here’s a list of a few places where you can still see his public works in New York City.

1. Crack is Wack, 1986. Harlem River Park. Yes, this is where the famous mural is found, along the FDR Drive on the north side of a handball court. The work was recently restored and is now a landmark.

2. Carmine Street Mural, 1987. Located on the wall that runs down the length of the Carmine Street Swimming Pool at the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center on the corner of Carmine and Varick streets in the West Village.

3. Once Upon a Time, 1989. One of Haring’s last works, this mural can be found in the men’s restroom on the second floor of The Center, also known as the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, located at 208 W. 13th St.

4. Woodhull Medical Center, 1986. According to the hospital’s Web site, Haring donated the mural to Woodhull in honor of the hospital’s dedication to pediatric AIDS research and treatment.

5. Pop Shop. OK, so the fun brick-and-mortar store may be gone, but you can still buy Haring branded products online at pop-shop.com.

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Mon 15 Feb 2010

8 Tips for Last-Minute Travel

Posted by dmairoldi under Travel
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Today’s Your Money section in the New York Daily News includes an article by a former TravelMuse writer Jason R. Rich about how to find last-minute travel savings. I was happy to help Rich out as a resource for the piece, but there are some tips that didn’t make it into the article that I’d like to share here, along with some others that deserve repeating. These eight tips are by no means comprehensive, and I welcome your additional tips in the comments section.

I tend to do a lot of last-minute travel, not least because I have a difficult time making up my mind on where to go next, but also because there are some great deals to be had if you can be a little flexible with your dates and destinations. Which brings me to the most important tip:

General Tips:

1. Be flexible.
Letting go of preferred airlines, hotels and car rental brands can save you a bundle, whether traveling for leisure or business. Also when you travel too makes a big different. Pick destinations that in the midst of their off-season period—the cheapest deals are found when the crowds are at their thinnest.

2. Sign up for last-minute deal newsletters.
Just about every supplier has one, including airlines, hotels, car rental agencies and third-party online resources. They’re particularly handy if you just want to get away for a few days and are open on the destination. Over the years, thanks to deals found midweek, I could be in London, Miami, the Bahamas, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Madrid or Southern California by Friday (or the following Friday for international destinations), all for less than $300 RT.

3. Book directly with vendors.
Often, you’ll find the same deals, or even better, plus they offer more favorable change and cancellation policies.

4. Use convention and visitors bureau Web sites.
These resources often get overlooked but shouldn’t as you can find deals not listed elsewhere for the bureau’s hotel and attraction members. For a list, check out Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI).

Airline Tip:

5. Again, be flexible. Changing your flight plans by a day or even a couple of hours can save hundreds of dollars.

I needed to pull an Up in the Air move when I found out on Dec. 27 that I was only 4,000 miles shy of platinum elite status on American Airlines but had only four days left to make the goal. My airline clearly was set, but destination wasn’t. I picked Los Angeles to ensure meeting my goal, plus it cost just $350 RT. I would have preferred the Bay Area, where I lived recently for the better part of two years and which I miss, but tickets started at $500 RT. (Ironically, my LAX flight changed planes at SFO.)

As for timing, I could have paid about $50 less had I been willing to get to the airport by 5:30 a.m. Ideally, I also would have like to have spent a few days in the LA sun, but flying out anytime before Dec. 30 would have added at least $150 to the fare, so I ended up taking a 24-hour trip, but it was worth it.

Hotel Tips:

6. Check the specials sections on hotel Web sites.

Provided there isn’t a big meeting or event going on in the destination, or the hotel isn’t trendy, I’ve been able to save up to 50 percent off regular room rates when booking a room within three days of my arrival. In addition to lower rates, you can find accompanying deals, such as free tickets to a limited-run museum exhibit or restaurant discounts.

7. Ask for a better price—all they can say is no.

Hotels have fixed inventory, and their goal is to get heads in beds. If that doesn’t happen, that opportunity for revenue is forever lost. So, better a discounted rate than nothing, right?

Last April, when I was still had a place in the Bay Area (and a car, which I also miss), I decided on Saturday afternoon to spend the rest of the weekend in Big Sur, about a two-hour drive south on the Pacific Coast Highway. I pulled into a lodge located in one of the state parks at about 6:30 p.m. The only room left was a cabin suite with two bedrooms. Regular rate was $300 per night. Because the desk manager knew the odds were slim anyone else would be calling or stopping in after me, he agreed to let me have the room, which came with a large fireplace and porch facing one of the mountains, for $150. Bliss.

Car Rental Tip:

8. Use opaque sites, like Hotwire or Priceline.

Yes, you can also get great deals for flights and hotels using these services, but I prefer to know which airline and hotel I’m booking ahead of time. However, car rentals are less important to me. I had to return to San Francisco last summer about a month after my car lease expired. Through Hotwire I landed an Avis rental for $23 per day, 50 percent off the $46 price had I booked with the agency directly. I then used the savings to upgrade to a convertible for just $15 a day more. Hey, even when working a girl’s gotta have fun too!

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Thu 21 Jan 2010

5 Obscure Things to Do in New York City for $5 or Less

Posted by dmairoldi under Travel
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So we’re top of the heap again.

Earlier this month, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced that New York City looks poised to take top honors in 2009 as the most popular tourist destination in the United States for the first time in nearly 20 years, despite a nearly 4 percent decline in visitor numbers over 2008.

It’s about time.

True, I (and other fast-paced souls) can get annoyed sometimes at having to navigate around crowds of gawking tourists who often block sidewalks. But like most New Yorkers, that doesn’t mean I don’t want people to visit and fall in love with this grand city.

NYC FiDi

What continues to make New York exciting to me after nearly 20 years of resident status is that practically every time I step outside, I’m entertained by something or someone I see or overhear on the streets or subways. I’m also regularly wowed by factoid gems, both historic and modern, often shared by New York natives—who are entertaining characters themselves. (For some New York trivia, check out this week’s Time Out New York cover feature “225 Things You Didn’t Know About New York.”)

Though visitors tend to stick to the popular tourist sites, which can be pretty pricey (Empire State Building observation deck tickets are now $20), there are plenty of lesser-known attractions in New York that can help you get to know this city like a native. Here are a few of my favorites—all of which cost $5 or less.

1. Bill Brand’s Masstransiscope. Artist Brand completed this vision of color and light, based on the principle of the zoetrope, in Brooklyn’s abandoned Myrtle Avenue subway station in 1980. After years of neglect and graffiti coverage, he raised funds to restore (and protect) the artwork in 2008, and it can be enjoyed again for a mere $2.25 subway ride on the Manhattan-bound B and Q trains. Look for the images just after leaving the DeKalb Avenue station. Check out this video footage of the old and restored versions from Brand’s blog. You’ll also see the now bygone graffiti-covered trains—inside and out—from 30 years ago.

FLCA-Exterior09

2. Fisher Landau Center for Art. Plenty of people know about the Frick Collection of classic European art in Manhattan, but for those who also appreciate current works, there’s the Emily Fisher Landau private collection in Queens, which includes more than 1,500 pieces of work created since 1960 by top modern and contemporary artists, including Kiki Smith, Chuck Close and Robert Rauschenberg. Plus it’s housed in a former parachute-harness factory in Long Island City, a nice reminder of New York’s vibrant manufacturing history. Open Thursday to Monday, noon to 5 p.m. Free.

Steinway

3. Steinway & Sons Factory Tour. Steinway, the manufacturer of arguably the best modern pianos in the world, offers a tour of its headquarters and factory in Astoria, Queens, showing how the treasured instruments are made. Tours take place on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon from September through June. You must call or e-mail in advance to reserve a space; walk-ins are not accepted, and tours are usually booked up to two months in advance. Though free, a tax-deductible donation is encouraged to help the company complete its William Steinway Diary Project with the collaboration of the Smithsonian Institute Libraries, which will make the unpublished 19th century source available online.

4. Ocean Parkway Bike Path. This first bike path in the United States opened in Brooklyn in 1894 and was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, the same team who created nearby Prospect Park and Central Park in Manhattan—both excellent attractions in their own right. I didn’t even know about the path until I moved across the street from it a few years ago. The pleasant (if not terribly exciting) tree- and bench-lined route stretches for more than five miles and leads straight to the Coney Island boardwalk, another worthy and distinctly New York site. Take the F or G train to Fort Hamilton Parkway to pick up the path near Prospect Park. Free.

Green Tara-Marchais Museum

5. Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art. Opened in 1947, the Marchais Museum was designed in the style of a Himalayan temple and is the first example of such architecture in the United States. The Dalai Lama prayed here during his initial visit to the United States in 1991. It’s more than worth the trip to central Staten Island to see the excellent collection of rare Tibetan and Asian art and artifacts, especially during warmer weather, when the surrounding grounds are in full bloom. Admission, $5.


(Photo credits: Financial District, D.M. Airoldi; Fisher Landau Center for Art; Steinway & Sons; Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art)

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Fri 15 Jan 2010

Curry Economics and Other Silk Road Events at American Museum of Natural History

Posted by dmairoldi under Travel
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Food and travel go hand in hand—and I love both—so last night I attended the Curry Economics lecture at the American Museum of Natural History in New York as part of the museum’s excellent Traveling the Silk Road: Ancient Pathway to the Modern World exhibit.

The show reminds me of my own travels along this ancient route in China this past fall to Xi’an, Turpan, Urumqi, Yarkand, Kashgar and the Karakoram Highway to Tashkurgan (details of which I’ll eventually share on this blog), and the event shed light on some interesting facts about how food trade can bring about significant cultural and economic shifts in a society.

amnh_silk

The lecture didn’t focus exclusively on the Silk Road, and the discussion sometimes veered off into quite contemporary issues, such as genetically modified (GM) foods. But it was fun to listen about the spice-trade history (it reminded me of my myriad econ classes, now quite missed) and a few of the points made during the lecture were particularly interesting:

  • Clove buds were found in the mouths of bodies discovered in China dating to the Han Dynasty (207 B.C.E. to 220 C.E.), indicating that “globalization” and trade were taking place in the remote “Spice Islands” (now known as the Moluccas in eastern Indonesia) long before the rise of colonialism during the 16th and 17th centuries. The spice was used to cover up bad breath.
  • Indian cuisine used to be mild rather than spicy. Chili peppers, now common in Indian, Thai and other Asian cuisines, weren’t cultivated and introduced to the Old World until after Columbus discovered them in the Americas. This discovery is also what triggered the plummeting value of black pepper, indigenous to South India and a key element in that region’s trade and wealth.
  • Religion is as important as trade when it comes to cuisines. The vegetarian diet didn’t take off in India until the rise of Buddhism and Jainism after 500 B.C.E. And the spread of Islam not only increased the popularity of lamb meat and made the consumption of alcohol and pork forbidden, but it also brought okra to the Middle East from Western Africa, tomatoes from the New World by the Moors of Spain, and yoghurt from the Turks and Mongols.

Sasha Issenberg, author of The Sushi Economy: Globalization and the Making of a Modern Delicacy (Gotham, 2007), moderated the panel, which included Tom Standage, business affairs editor of The Economist and author of An Edible History of Humanity (Walker & Company, 2009); Eric Tagliacozzo, associate professor of history at Cornell University and author of Secret Trades, Porous Borders: Smuggling and States Along a Southeast Asian Frontier, 1965-1915 (Yale University Press, reprint edition 2009); and Julie Sahni, cooking teacher and cookbook author, including the seminal Classic Indian Cooking (William Morrow Cookbooks, 1980). I now want to read each of their books.

Upcoming events tied to the Silk Road exhibit, on view now through Aug. 15, 2010, include:

  • Voices of the Silk Road, Jan. 16 and 17, 12 to 5 p.m.
  • Global Kitchen: Aromatics Along the Silk Road, Jan. 20, 6:30 p.m.
  • Caravanserai: A Perfumed Tasting Menu, Jan. 21, 7 p.m.
  • Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project, performances Feb. 7, 14 and 21, various times and locations
  • Global Kitchen: Wines With Ancient Lineage, Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m.
  • The Message Behind the Music, Feb. 21, 1 to 5 p.m.
  • The Looting of the Iraq Museum: An Evening with Dr. Donny George Youkhanna, Feb. 24, 6:30 p.m.

Visit the AMNH Web site for additional information.

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Mon 4 Jan 2010

Blasphemy! Most Employees Skip Vacation

Posted by dmairoldi under General, Travel
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A full two-thirds, 66 percent, of employees did not take all of their vacation time in 2009, according to a recent survey by Right Management, a Philadelphia–based talent and career management company and subsidiary of mega-temp agency Manpower.

Mayan ruins of Tulum, Mexico.

Getting away for a few days to Tulum, Mexico helped recharge my batteries to hit the new year running.

I’m baffled every time one of these statistics is released showing that people forego their allotted days off. In the 25 years I’ve been in the workforce, I’ve never once let a single hour of vacation time go unused, and not just because I love to travel. Even when I was broke after college, paying off student loans and travel was limited, I’d take a weekday off to spend at a museum, see a matinee, or simply stay at home and read or listen to music.

And it hasn’t hurt me professionally either. In fact, most of my bosses insisted their staff use their earned time off.

Yet a common reason offered up for why an employee might have chosen more time in the office as opposed to lounging on a beach, especially this past year, is fear of losing their job combined with pressure to do more with fewer resources. Very valid and understandable points. However those also are the individuals who need a break more than anyone. People need to recharge, especially after a big crunch time or following the close of a major deal or project. Vacation time is an earned employee benefit and has a direct impact on work/life balance and general health and wellness.

“All employees should make it their New Year’s resolution to use allocated vacation during the year. Not doing so can lead to increased stress and related health issues, negatively impacting performance and productivity,” said Douglas J. Matthews, President and COO at Right Management. “Conversely, taking vacation can boost creativity and rejuvenate overall energy and focus.”

Any smart manager or company knows that they’re better off with revitalized employees as opposed to worn out ones, and they’ll encourage people to fully use their vacation time. There are plenty of companies are out there who get it. But if you work for one that doesn’t, I’d start looking for a new job now.

What are your thoughts on required vacation time? Have you ever not taken all your days off? If so, why?

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Sun 3 Jan 2010

Management Lessons From Former Continental Airlines CEO

Posted by dmairoldi under General
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The two main subjects I cover as a writer are travel and employee management and motivation, so I couldn’t help but notice today’s Corner Office column by Adam Bryant in The New York Times business section on Gordon M. Bethune, former CEO of Continental Airlines, which combines the two topics.

continentalLogoBethune did a fantastic job turning around the once-troubled airline during his decade at the company’s helm (1994 to 2004), and in the article he shares lessons he’s learned over the years on how to be an effective leader, which are essentially:

  • treat all employees with respect
  • recognize those who work for you when you get recognition; your team is who helps you achieve success
  • don’t micromanage; hire people with a can-do attitude and then let them do their jobs
  • communicate regularly and never lie to your employees
  • take time to show employees you’re interested in them
  • thank them personally

These lessons aren’t groundbreaking—studies have shown for years that respect, a simple thank you or a recognition award can go a long way in generating employee loyalty and improved motivation and performance—but too many managers only pay lip service to these behaviors or act on just a few of them. (Trust me, one of the biggest morale busters is to be lied to by your manager, regardless of how many times they may recognize or thank you for your efforts.)

So it was nice to read about someone who learned these key management lessons while working his way up the ladder, then didn’t forget them once he got to the top. I’ve flown Continental both before and after Bethune’s time at the company, and noticed a marked improvement in customer service after he took over. Now, if only we had more of these success stories to share.

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Thu 31 Dec 2009

2009: The Year in Travel

Posted by dmairoldi under Travel
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The only resolution I made when 2009 began was to get out on the road more than I had in 2007 and 2008. I’m happy to report my wish came true, in more ways than one.

Aside from my monthly NY/SF commute, I also enjoyed trips to Miami, Israel, Montreal, Cleveland, Philadelphia (twice), China, Singapore, Chicago, Mexico and Los Angeles. And with a bit of creative flying at the end of this year, I also managed to attain platinum status on American Airlines for the first time, which I plan to enjoy on many future flights in 2010.

My final trip of 2009: Chilling on Venice Beach, Calif., New Year's Eve.

My final trip of 2009: Chilling on Venice Beach, Calif., New Year's Eve.

People who travel regularly, especially for business, often complain that they’d prefer more ground time at home. Not me. I’m never more excited than when I have a new trip on the horizon and a suitcase packed and ready to head out the door, whether for work or for pleasure. Unfortunately, the year ended with yet another terrorist attempt to down a plane (thankfully thwarted), which means there will be increased travel and security hassles for most of us for the foreseeable future.

I think most individuals, however, realize that the risks of any successful incident are low, and that they won’t be deterred from following through with intended travel plans in the coming year. The hospitality industry has been hard hit enough with the recession that we’re finally pulling out of. Here’s hoping anyway.

So whether you’re a road warrior, weekend explorer or occasional traveler, I wish you safe, wonderful journeys in the New Year. And my resolution for 2010? To update this blog on a more regular basis with details about my travel adventures.

Happy trails!

(p.s. And a big THANK YOU to any readers who contributed to this year’s Passports With Purpose fundraiser to build a school in Cambodia. Its goal was not only met but also exceeded by nearly $1,000. Bravo!)

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Tue 15 Dec 2009

Help Passports With Purpose Build a School in Cambodia

Posted by dmairoldi under General, Travel, Volunteering
[3] Comments

Better late than never, I say, so here’s my pitch—with just one final week before Christmas—to get you to do another good deed this holiday season: Participate in Passports With Purpose, a terrific holiday raffle fundraiser founded and supported by travel bloggers.

pwp-banner

Passports With Purpose came together last year after a few Seattle-based writers—Beth Whitman, Debbie Dubrow, Michelle Duffy and my favorite ukulele player Pam Mandel—got together and decided they wanted to do “something more” for the holiday season. In a matter of a few short weeks, they solicited prizes from the online travel world, requested donations in the form of $10 bids per item, and managed to raise $7,400, which went to support programs managed by Heifer International.

This year the beneficiary is a place near and dear to my heart—Cambodia, and Passports With Purpose has raised the ante to $26,000 to build a school through the organization American Assistance for Cambodia (AAFC).

Anyone who’s known me for a long time knows that Cambodia is the country that really captivated me during my eight-month stay in Southeast Asia 10 years ago. I couldn’t wrap my mind around how a people so poor and devastated for years—the Vietnam War until 1975, the Khmer Rouge reign from 1975-79, the Vietnamese occupation from 1979-89, and the civil strife and impoverishment that followed—could also be the most welcoming, generous and sincere of all the people I encountered during that trip.

Cambodia, however, also remains the poorest country I’ve ever visited. I’ll never forget the sight of naked children crawling over garbage piles searching for morsels of food. Or the barely standing bamboo huts with holes so large they offered virtually no protection from the elements.

How can we help improve Cambodia’s quality of life? Education is one answer.

Cambodia school children. (Courtesy of Talea Miller, Online NewsHour)

Cambodia school children. (Courtesy of Talea Miller, Online NewsHour)

The first $13,000 needed to build the school has been raised, but now Passports With Purpose needs another $13,000 to ensure that the students in the school you will help build have clean water, healthy meals and medical care—all for just $10 per bid. All proceeds go directly to AAFC, a 501(c)(3) charity.

So what are you waiting for? There’s only one week left to donate, and the list of prizes this year is even better than last and includes plenty of great travel items. Here are some favorites:

- 5 Nights at Los Suenos Resort in Costa Rica, valued at $2,746
- 3 Nights at an Aqua Hotel in Waikiki, valued at $830
- FLIP Mino 60 Minute Video Camcorder, valued at $179
- Kodak Zi6 Pocket Video Camera, valued at $180
- Briggs & Riley Baseline 20” Carry-On Expandable Wide-Body Upright, valued at $369
- Kelty Backpack, valued at $160
- $100 gift certificate to B&H photo

There are many more prizes to choose from, and you can see the complete list here.

Last year I participated through my former company, TravelMuse. This year I’m sweetening the prize lot with an occasion cake, valued at $500 (can serve up to 75 people), from Cake Alchemy, headed by pastry chef extraordinaire Lauri Ditunno, whom you can see on the WETV network’s show Amazing Wedding Cakes. I’ve used Lauri’s cakes exclusively for parties and events for several years now and can assure you that she’ll create one of the best-tasting and creative cakes you’ve ever eaten. You can work with Lauri to create a cake that meets your needs, and it can be shipped within the 48 continental states.

So go. Now. Bid. Passports With Purpose. And know that your contribution, even if it’s only $10, will help make a big difference in the lives of a lot of needy and appreciative children.

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Fri 11 Dec 2009

Blank-Fest Concert for Charity Continues Its Mission to Keep the Homeless Warm

Posted by dmairoldi under Volunteering
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If you’re in the New York tri-state area tomorrow and looking for something charitable to do this holiday season, consider attending this year’s Blank-Fest XIII.

The event is essentially a daylong concert featuring sets from more than a dozen bands and performers—all for the admission of a donated blanket per attendee. The warming goods are then brought to local charities that help the homeless, or given directly to the needy on the streets.

This year’s event kicks off Dec. 12 at noon at Bruxelles Restaurant, 173 Main St., Nyack, N.Y., (845) 353-0732.

Blank-Fest_Group_Shot_C

Rowell (front row, second from left) and other volunteers from the 2006 Blank-Fest event.

Since its official founding in 1997 by New Yorker (and friend) Kenn Rowell, front man of the band The Baghdaddios, Blank-Fest has spawned sister events in nine cities—including Montreal, Toronto and Calgary in Canada; Racine, Wisc.; and Nottingham, England—and has grown from gathering 40 blankets its first year to more than 500 for the New York/New Jersey area last year. The grand tally from all worldwide Blank-Fest events tops 6,000.

“Blank-Fest has been extremely lucky in that we have seen a marked increase in donations, every year but one, in 2001, for the obvious reasons,” says Rowell. “After the horrendous year that most Americans have had—the recession, loss of jobs and dim prospects for the immediate future—we actually expect to get close to last year’s donation mark, if for no other reason than the fact that last year was even worse (economically speaking) and yet people still continued to give! Even if we fall below last year’s mark, I expect the turnout and concern level to be robust, and I know how lucky we are to get the contributions that we get.”

In addition to The Baghdaddios, tomorrow’s line-up of acts includes Bobby Steele, former Misfits guitarist and founder of The Undead, who also are performing; EMI-label alum Patti Rothberg; Young Folk, from the United Kingdom; Stacy Rock; Buckaroo; The Heshers; reggae band Songs of Solomon; and Lach, founder of the Antifolk movement.

When asked what has changed the most about the festival in the past 12 years, Rowell cites the gentrification of New York’s neighborhoods, which he’s seen morph over the years as he’s driven around making deliveries to the less fortunate.

“Places that used to look scary and run down have actually been reborn, so to speak. New York has done a pretty fair job of reinventing itself. Still, there are people out there who need our help. It only makes the challenge of finding them more acute. But believe me, after years of driving around with a car, truck or van filled with blankets, you’ll still always find someone new who needs a hand.”

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