RUNAWAY BALLOONS

Runaway balloons knock out power for blocks in downtown Newburgh

By Doyle Murphy Published: 06/16/10

CITY OF NEWBURGH — A bunch of Mylar balloons floated into an electrical transformer, shorted the power-line connection and knocked out power for blocks in downtown Newburgh, authorities said.City firefighters responded about 10:40 a.m. Tuesday to the scene on Broadway near Fullerton Avenue. The balloons cut the power to 152 homes and businesses throughout the neighborhoods surrounding upper Broadway. Crews from Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. restored power by 12:30 p.m.dmurphy@th-record.com

Brooklyn summer bummer (FROM MIKE NAUGHTON)

Paul Martinka
Coney Island boardwalk at Stillwell Avenue is being repaired, forcing beachgoers to squeez. The boarwalk is expected to be finished within few weeks.

June 15, 2010 ι By RICH CALDER

Some of the hottest spots in Brooklyn aren’t ready for the summer rush.
At Coney Island, business is booming following the opening of the new Luna Park on Memorial Day weekend. But critics say Coney Island now can’t handle the large crowds amusement operators and other boardwalk-based businesses desperately want — and that things should only get worse when major attractions like Brooklyn Cyclones baseball and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus return this month.
That’s because most of the prime boardwalk space is fenced off for renovations, crushing the summer throngs into one lane of pedestrian traffic in the sweltering heat. And it’s no better on nearby streets, as drivers are fuming over new city-enforced traffic patterns that have left parts of Neptune, Surf and Mermaid avenues routinely resembling a parking lot since the warm weather kicked in.
So, you should seriously consider mass transit if you are heading out to the annual Mermaid Day Parade Saturday. And expect the mermaids to be packed like sardines.
The news is no better on the other side of the borough’s waterfront — which is also drawing massive crowds to Brooklyn Bridge Park.
At Pier 1, the park’s main entrance on Old Fulton Street is fenced off because of ongoing construction — leaving patrons scratching their heads trying to figure out how to get in. Like the boardwalk work, which has been ongoing for months, officials hope to have this job done by the end of the June.
A few blocks away, Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park in DUMBO has been shut down since January and is expected to be closed another year — mostly so the state can clear out trees and install a restored 1920s carousel within what will eventually also be part of Brooklyn Bridge Park.
In Coney Island, some members of Community Board 13 said the boardwalk work — while necessary — was poorly planned and should have been done off-season.
"Police and emergency services have enough problems. How are they supposed to get through these crowds in an emergency?" said one board member, adding that a Memorial Day stabbing of a teen outside Luna Park "might have been avoided if the boardwalk wasn’t jam packed."
Domenic Recchia Jr., the local councilman, said construction crews hired to replace the boardwalk’s rickety wooden planks couldn’t complete the job before the summer season kicked off due to "a very bad winter."
Regarding the area’s gridlock problem, Recchia said he plans to meet with NYPD and city Transportation Dept. officials to resolve the tie-ups caused by the new traffic patterns, which included making W. 17th Street one-way southbound from Neptune to Surf Avenue.
The DOT says the changes are designed to enhance safety but is open to changes, if necessary.
At Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 1, visitors are now forced to enter through a out-of-the-way side entrance along Furman Street or cut through a tiny opening leading to Fulton Ferry Landing.
Doreen Gallo, executive director of the DUMBO Neighborhood Alliance, said she believes the state dropped the ball by "poorly planning" construction work at Pier 1 and Empire State-Fulton Ferry Park in the summer when people enjoy using parks most.
A state spokeswoman said "we are performing work as quickly as possible, construction permitting."
After decades of downward spiraling business, the locals may not be able to handle the crush.

If any of them need help counting money; I am very good counting $20 bills.

Just in case...Mike

Shrine Circus delivers big cats, big fun

Trainer Vicenta Pages and Bengal tigers

Dan Reiland

EuClaire, Wisconsin

Tiger trainer Vicenta Pages got her six royal Bengal tigers to stand Tuesday morning during the Shrine Circus at Carson Park. Two more shows will be at 11:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. today, and another two performances will be at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Dunn County Recreation Park.

FROM IRELAND---

The Junction Festival Celebrates The Art of The Circus in Ireland, 7/2 - 7/11
Junction Festival 2010 is celebrating the art of the circus, its traditions, its excitement and its potential, with a selection of circus shows both traditional and contemporary, Irish and International. The festival will run from July 2nd - 11th.
The circus has been touring Ireland since the very earliest travelling circuses, devised by Peter Astley in the late 1700s traveled from Cork to Dublin with a show Astley claimed offered, "an integrated entertainment experience". Ireland's oldest indigenous circus is Fossett, which was started in 1888 by Mallow born George Lowe who after a time with Buffallo Bill Cody touring the US, returned to his native land to establish a troupe that would in time become the Fossett Brothers Circus. In recent years there has been an explosion of interest in circus with circus schools now established in Belfast, Cork and Galway. The early graduates from these schools have been setting up production companies to produce circus theatre shows which are beginning to make an impact both in Ireland and abroad.
read more at:

http://ireland.broadwayworld.com/article/The_Junction_Festival_Celebration The_Art_of_The_Circus_in_Ireland_72_711_20100615

POCOMOKE CITY,MD CYPRESS FESTIVAL

Sillee Willee the Clown waves to the camera as he stops to talk to Brittany Lewis, left, and Dakota Chisholm. The two girls were waiting to go on a ride at last year's Cypress Festival in Pocomoke City. (File photo)

Spud gun and more debuts at Cypress fest

By Jenny Hopkinson • Staff Writer • June 10, 2010
POCOMOKE CITY -- It takes Denise Wagner less time to explain what isn't new at this year's Cypress Festival than what is."When I looked at some of the things they had done in the past, I thought, 'Why would you want to go?' Especially if you don't have small children," Wagner said. "There wasn't anything appealing to the teenage crowd, or young adult or even the older crowd."But not this year. Under the guidance of Wagner -- who became the executive director of the Pocomoke City Chamber of Commerce last October -- the 35th annual Cypress Festival may almost be too big for the downtown park that shares its name.

"We walked (the park) yesterday and we have the layout sketched out," Wagner said. "We are going to be full this year, but it will hold us all."The Pocomoke Idol contest, car and bike show and fireworks will take place as they always have.

Twenty-three craft vendors -- more than ever before, Wagner said -- will join an expanded food section and additional rides, including a Ferris wheel.

In the annual Duck Derby, eight hundred new plastic toy ducks will replace the existing flock, which have been floating down the Pocomoke River from bridge to bridge for 20 years. Picking the winning duck comes with a $400 first-place prize.

Several new events that will highlight the river have been added. A potato gun challenge will require individuals to launch spuds from air cannons to a target floating in the water. Contestants in the Big Fish will try and land the largest catch from the pier at Cypress Park."I wanted to bring attention to one of our most beautiful resources, which is the river," Wagner said. "I think we forget about the river and its beauty, and not take advantage of it.

"The festival will also feature live music, a tug-of-war competition and a Saturday morning 5k race through downtown.Wagner is optimistic that the expanded festival, with its quirky events, will draw people from all over the area who perhaps wouldn't otherwise come to Pocomoke City."I really want us to grow and I want the Eastern Shore to become a jewel," she said. "I'm trying to shine a spotlight on us, because everyone runs over to Ocean City and forgets

If you go:
WHAT: Cypress Festival

WHERE: Cypress Park, Pocomoke City, MD

WHEN: Thursday, 6-10 p.m.; Friday, 6-11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

COST: Thursday $2; Friday and Saturday $3

From the Worcester County Times

THE HECTIC BROS IN A TENT

CAN YOU IDENTIFY ANY OF THESE??????? (PART 3)

Harry Kingston identified the Rawles family in yesterday's post.(check comments)

Now how about these last five?

By the Way we all know that the cowboy is Col. Tim McCoy

FROM SALT LAKE CITY--

The Wiggles Are Coming to Salt Lake City

06/14/10

Wiggle...And Learn...Let's Have Some Fun.

The Australian preschool entertainers pitch their circus tent at the E-Center this August, and tix are now on sale.
It's a show purple Wiggle Jeff calls a cross between a Broadway Show and a circus...but you know, for the kids. I just got off the phone with Jeff for an exclusive interview about the show I will post in the near future (keep checking back), and he assured me of four things:
1. Songs from the TV show will be in the performance, so the kids can sing along.2. Expect much more acrobatics in the live show—acrobatics, trapeze artists, etc.3. Parents WILL NOT be bored—the boys will give a few nods to them, too.4. Kids will yell "Wake up Jeff!"
The boys are in London right now, part of their world tour. They've already made their way through Asia and will be hit the rest of Europe this month. After a short break at home in Australia, they will travel the states. Lately, show dialogue and props have changed just a bit to reflect the cities they visit. In Dubai, the Wiggles enjoyed some dates instead of their true love, fruit salad. Maybe in Salt Lake, the sub will be green jello?
The Wiggles Wiggly Circus LiveTuesday, August 3 @ 6:30 p.m.E-Center, 3200 Decker Lake Drive, West Valley

FROM FLINT, MI CIRCUS PARK

Hollyn Johnson The Flint Journal

C.J. Austin, 9, of Reese relaxes while riding a carnival ride during Clio Bikes and Bands for Shrine Children at Circus Park in Clio Sunday afternoon, June 13, 2010

ANOTHER PETA PLOY

From PETA's coloring book for kids, which it wants handed out at Fort Worth libraries

PETA Brings Its Fight Against "The Greatest Show On Earth" To Cowtown Library

By Daniel Rodrigue, Monday, Jun. 14 2010

At 10:30 this morning, the Riverside Branch of the Fort Worth Library played host to Slappy and Monday -- two clowns from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus who treated some 43 kids to Reading with Ringling Bros. While one librarian who overheard the two clowns reading during this morning's story time told Unfair Park that the show "sounded really cute," People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is crying foul, insisting that the program "condones animal abuse" at circuses.
Last week, the Norfolk, Virginia-based animal rights group sent Fort Worth Library's program coordinator Jeff Rodriguez a letter urging that the library cancel the program because it "violates the library's own policy against co-sponsoring programs with for-profit entities." To which the library is saying: Ringling is not "co-sponsoring" the event, and the special "circus-themed story time" is just one of the library's many ongoing summer reading programs that "encourages children not only to read, but also to learn, discover and dream."
To which PETA's saying: Nuh-unh, the circus is totally co-sponsoring the program! Especially, PETA maintains, because the Ringling folks will be passing out Ringling-branded goodies, as well as tickets to the circus when it stops by the Fort Worth Convention Center in August.read more at: http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2010/06/peta_brings_its_fight_against.php

BANANA SHPEEL TO CLOSE SOONER THAN EXPECTED!

A scene from Banana Shpeel.

photo by Kristie Kahns

Banana Shpeel Will Split NYC Sooner Than Expected;

Cirque du Soleil Show to Close June 27

By Kenneth Jones, 14 Jun 2010

Banana Shpeel, the Cirque du Soleil entertainment that mixed vaudeville with circus arts, will close sooner than expected — June 27, five weeks after its May 19 opening — at New York City's Beacon Theatre.
Previews began April 29. The Manhattan launch had been delayed several times in order to further develop the show. It had its world premiere in Chicago in fall 2009.
A North American tour is promised for fall. David Shiner (Fool Moon, Seussical) devised and directed the production, which was to be a limited engagement at the Beacon to Aug. 29. Sales were softer than expected in New York.

Daniel Passer, Danny Rutigliano and Wayne Wilson in Banana Shpeel.

photo by Olivier Samson Arcand

Banana Shpeel features an international cast of 38 performers including the main character of over-the-top producer Schmelky (who was put front-and-center in a last-minute re-branding of the show this spring), played by Broadway veteran Danny Rutigliano, best known for his role as Timon in The Lion King. Assisting Schmelky are two slapstick sidekicks (Daniel Passer and Wayne Wilson) and assistant Margaret (Shereen Hickman)."As Schmelky works to complete his latest show," he is disrupted by a comedic trio, Claudio Carneiro, Patrick de Valette and Gordon White.
Expect acrobatic performances, including Russian hand balancer Dmitry Bulkin; Vietnamese hat juggler Tuan Le; Spanish foot juggler Vanessa Alvarez; Canadian hand-to-hand duo Preston Jamieson and Kesley Wiens; and Russian contortionists Tsybenova Ayagma, Tsydendambaeva Imin and Zhambalova Lilia.
Banana Shpeel features dance, too: brother-sister tap dance duo Joseph and Josette Wiggan and a ensemble including Robyn Baltzer, Kassie Brown, Adrienne Jean Fisher, DeWitt Fleming Jr., Karida Griffith, Luke Hawkins, Kathleen Hennessey, Adrienne Reid, Anthony J. Russo, Melissa Schott, Josh Scribner, Alexis Sims and Steven T. Williams.

CELEBS AT "BANANA SHPEEL" OPENING

Cirque du Soleil opened its new vaudeville-style theatrical show, Banana Shpeel, May 19 at the Beacon Theatre. Here are some of the celebrities who walked the yellow carpet.

James Gandolfini and daughter

Photo by Matthew Blank

Chris Meloni with family and Shpeel cast members Josette Wiggan and Kasie Brown

Photo by Matthew Blank

Marcia Gay Harden with children Hudson, Eulala and Julitta

Photo by Matthew Blank

Danny Rutigliano (as Schmelky) greets the opening night crowd

Photo by Matthew Blank

CAN YOU IDENTIFY ANY OF THESE?????? (PART 2)

FROM SCOTT KEELER, MIDDLETOWN NY---JUNE 9 COLE BROS CIRCUS

hello dick
we had such a good time at the cole brothers circus on monday evening . we decided to go back on a rainy wed night for the 730 performance . the final show in town . they had a tough time with the tiger act tonightit went over schedule . the trainer could not get them to cooperate whenhe tried having them lay down in a row . i believe due to wet conditions !the dog n pony act had a very overanxious dog that got bucked by the horseand kicked as he was really biting his mane wild night !! and they only brought out three elephants . a fun time in all though .
i just found out that the kelly miller circus wuill be in my area monday !! i will gowith my camera and strates shows is in the orange county fair grounds starting to set up. i saw the top spin , a coaster and a few other rides when i attended the races last night
hope all is well steve keeler

COLE BROS CIRCUS OF THE STARS #2 (JUNE 9, 2010)