Alive After Five Street Fair, Patchogue, NY
I have been visiting the Patchogue Village “Alive After Five “event for many years. I have seen this event blossom through the years to become what it is today; a very large and very successful Community Event! I would guess that at the particular time segment that I visited the "Street Fair," about Five Thousand People were in attendance!
This street "fair type event" was staged along West Main Street Patchogue, from the “Brick House,” to about 1000 feet East of the Patchogue Theatre. The event was also staged, in a southerly direction, from “Four Corners Patchogue,” to the location of the “Patchogue Music Center.”
I counted five Bands that were playing at various locations, at our Patchogue Village, Street Fair Event! Most of the Bands Played Hard Rock, Rock, and Blues. I was particularly impressed with the Band that was playing on South Ocean Avenue. They were playing Folk Music, that had a distinct, Bluegrass/Country influence. I enjoyed listening to the Mandolin Player. All of the musicians were professional quality. Sorry that I do not have the names of the Bands that were playing! I would hope that someone would send an email to me with the names, so that I could append them to this Blog.
With the advent of the new Rap Music, I have developed a renewed appreciation for Hard Rock, from a standpoint of musicianship. It is not easy to play some of the Hard Rock Songs; many cannot be played by Amateur Musicians. “And then I heard it!” The Band in front of the Brick House Restaurant started to play the Classic Rock tune called “Highway to Hell.” From this moment on, my neighbors will be looking at me over their left shoulder. “Highway to WHERE?” OK just kidding! Back to the Band! The execution of that song was perfect, it sounded just like it was played by the original group, AC/DC. The Band then proceeded to insert their own unique style into the song! It was a great performance!
The overwhelming success of this event also fulfilled a dream that I have had for Patchogue. For many years I have often said that we in the United States do not know how to live! Parts of our lifestyle are completely "sterile," compared to the way people live in Europe. After dinner, we just sit on the couch and watch TV. In Paris, Rome, and Munich, everyone goes to the Town Square to socialize, have a cup of coffee at a Sidewalk Cafe, and enjoy the many Street Musicians! In Austria, an entire orchestra is routinely provided for people to enjoy, during their mid-day meal. This social ritual is performed throughout Europe every night; they really know how to live!
To my amazement, we too have learned how to live! While some of our neighbors were strolling through the streets of Patchogue, buying items from the many vendors, others were enjoying dinner at the outdoor extensions of the “Brick House, and the Main Street Café! This is what life is like in Rome, Paris, Austria and Munich; and it has finally found it's way to Patchogue!
UPDATE! Just received more information:
Complete details of the The July 25, 2008 event can be found at the Official "Alive After Five," Web Site.
(Please click the link below)
http://www.aliveafterfive.com/
Thank You George for the information!
Send your Comments, Articles, and Announcements (about 200 words), to the Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch, via Email to davispark2000-manw@yahoo.com
(Articles may be edited, paraphrased, or deleted. Name and email address is required before publication. Sending your article, constitutes permission to publish.)
*
Anonymous Comments?
click "Comments {below}," then Click "Anonymous." Type your message, and then click "Publish Your Post." (Text may be edited, paraphrased, or deleted.)
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Cablevision has removed eight of our TV Channels!
A few weeks ago I noticed that eight TV channels, provided to me by Cablevision, disappeared. The missing program material was replaced with a message that said that I would need a Converter Box to receive the missing channels!
I called Cablevision to find out why the channels were removed. The Technical Service Rep said that the channels had to be removed because of the new changeover to Digital TV. I suspected that the answer that the Technical Representative gave me was not true! The Rep also told me that I would have to pay Six Dollars and fifty cents per Box, per month, (after one year )to receive the channels that I subscribed to. I paid Cablevision, $52.74 each month to receive about 30 channels, most of which I did not watch. My favorite channels were taken from me. Without a "Cable Box," I no longer would have access to "The Travel Channel," and seven other channels!
I reported this incident to the Federal Communications Commission, and got the following response from the FCC.
The FCC said, and I quote,
"For voluntary reasons, your Cable Company may choose to move some Cable Channels from it's Analog Tier, to it's Digital Tier, or may switch to all digital service, and stop providing analog Service. THIS IS NOT REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
As I suspected, the Cablevision Representative, did not tell the whole truth, by virtue of omitting certain facts.
Cablevision has a questionable Business model. Why do they pay royalties on hundreds of TV Channels that no one actually watches. How about "A la carte TV," I only view about fifteen channels, total!
In my original draft of this document I made the following statement! "It's about time that the "Davids" of our community, stand up to the "Goliath" called Cablevision." Well I have discovered the following! Unlike the Bible; Goliath has slain David! Cablevision is a private company, and answers to no one! We have lost both the battle, and the war.
I also said "This is what happens when a business operates without competition! I would hope that the next time our village negotiates with a Cable Company, they will remember this incident and act accordingly!" This too has no merit! If our village did not sign the contract with Cablevision, service would be terminated, and many households would loose their Internet connection. This would not be acceptable. So! Our Village, does not have any choices but to deal with Cablevision. Our Village is defeated!
We are defeated; however I did see something on the Internet, where some Government Agency is looking at all Cable Companies with regard to being "the new monopoly!"
Comments from some of Cablevisions subscribers:
http://www.topix.com/forum/source/newsday/TNO8JF7N8OQFEMEHF
Don't bother to call Cablevision; in my opinion, it will not do any good.
Comment:
Sorry, but I was also disappointed! The reality is that in February, you will not be able to watch ANYTHING without the $6.50 cable box and all the aggravation that goes with using one! So may as well get used to the idea...we have no choice!
A few weeks ago I noticed that eight TV channels, provided to me by Cablevision, disappeared. The missing program material was replaced with a message that said that I would need a Converter Box to receive the missing channels!
I called Cablevision to find out why the channels were removed. The Technical Service Rep said that the channels had to be removed because of the new changeover to Digital TV. I suspected that the answer that the Technical Representative gave me was not true! The Rep also told me that I would have to pay Six Dollars and fifty cents per Box, per month, (after one year )to receive the channels that I subscribed to. I paid Cablevision, $52.74 each month to receive about 30 channels, most of which I did not watch. My favorite channels were taken from me. Without a "Cable Box," I no longer would have access to "The Travel Channel," and seven other channels!
I reported this incident to the Federal Communications Commission, and got the following response from the FCC.
The FCC said, and I quote,
"For voluntary reasons, your Cable Company may choose to move some Cable Channels from it's Analog Tier, to it's Digital Tier, or may switch to all digital service, and stop providing analog Service. THIS IS NOT REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
As I suspected, the Cablevision Representative, did not tell the whole truth, by virtue of omitting certain facts.
Cablevision has a questionable Business model. Why do they pay royalties on hundreds of TV Channels that no one actually watches. How about "A la carte TV," I only view about fifteen channels, total!
In my original draft of this document I made the following statement! "It's about time that the "Davids" of our community, stand up to the "Goliath" called Cablevision." Well I have discovered the following! Unlike the Bible; Goliath has slain David! Cablevision is a private company, and answers to no one! We have lost both the battle, and the war.
I also said "This is what happens when a business operates without competition! I would hope that the next time our village negotiates with a Cable Company, they will remember this incident and act accordingly!" This too has no merit! If our village did not sign the contract with Cablevision, service would be terminated, and many households would loose their Internet connection. This would not be acceptable. So! Our Village, does not have any choices but to deal with Cablevision. Our Village is defeated!
We are defeated; however I did see something on the Internet, where some Government Agency is looking at all Cable Companies with regard to being "the new monopoly!"
Comments from some of Cablevisions subscribers:
http://www.topix.com/forum/source/newsday/TNO8JF7N8OQFEMEHF
Don't bother to call Cablevision; in my opinion, it will not do any good.
Comment:
Sorry, but I was also disappointed! The reality is that in February, you will not be able to watch ANYTHING without the $6.50 cable box and all the aggravation that goes with using one! So may as well get used to the idea...we have no choice!
Comment:
Anonymous said...
I just want to let you know that I am on your side. I have a cable box so I am not in the same position but know that the situation described leaves consumers with a feeling that a BREACH OF CONTRACT has occurred and there is no recourse. Absolutely shameful for such a large company as Cablevision. I hope your actions against this change in service becomes a lesson in 'remembering where you came from' for the GIANT that was once a little start-up company.
10:09 AM
Comment:
I am counting the days until Fios comes to Patchogue. This is just the latest of many unnecessary Cablevision moves that only exist to make them more money.
This comment was actually a bit longer, but I could not publish the last few lines, because they were not verifiable. Thanks for the comment!
The Bottom Line!
Your comments were sent to the County Executive; who was powerless to do anything about our problem. After investigating the possible alternatives to this situation, I have come to the conclusion, that we do not have any alternative! I looked into Satellite and Cable companies, and came to the conclusion that there is no "Five Dollar Lunch." All of the Cable Media can be compared to "Five Star Restaurants;" with a price to match!
I am the first person to reject a comment or article when it appears to be one sided. With that in mind I must mention that my search for another Cable provider revealed that it is cheaper to stay with Cablevision, when subscribing to a similar slate of channels. This does not mean I condone the ultimate removal of the service that I so enjoyed! I now have a Box that will ultimately cost me over Six Dollars per month after one year. I also have other TVs that will ultimately be rendered inoperative, because of Cablevision's transition.
Be advised! There is an alternative! If you buy a TV that can accept a "Cable Card," it will only cost about $2.50 per month. The down side is that you may not be able to look at some premium Services. Check with the Cable Company before you buy a new TV Set, to make sure that a "Cable Card" is still an acceptable substatute for a Cable Box!
Our Politicians got us into this mess by decontrolling the Cable Industry, and it's up to them to get us out of this situation!
Have a nice Day! If you can!
Send your Comments, Articles, and Announcements (about 200 words), to the Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch, via Email to davispark2000-manw@yahoo.com
(Articles may be edited, paraphrased, or deleted if required. Name and email address is required before publication. Sending your article, constitutes permission to publish.)
*
Anonymous Comments?
click "Comments {below}," then Click "Anonymous." Type your message, and then click "Publish Your Post." (Text may be edited, paraphrased, or deleted.)
*
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Send your Comments, Articles, and Announcements (about 200 words), to the Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch, via Email to davispark2000-manw@yahoo.com
(Articles may be edited, paraphrased, or deleted. Name and email address is required before publication. Sending your article, constitutes permission to publish.)
*
Anonymous Comments?
(Articles may be edited, paraphrased, or deleted. Name and email address is required before publication. Sending your article, constitutes permission to publish.)
*
Anonymous Comments?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)