January | 2014 | Amusing the Zillion

Archive for January, 2014

New Play about Edison’s Electrocution of Topsy the Elephant

Posted in Animals, Events, history, tagged Chris Van Strander, Coney Island, David Koteles, Edison's Elephant, elephant, Metropolitan Playhouse, play, theater, Thomas Edison, Topsy on January 12, 2014| 2 Comments »

On this day in 1903, Thomas Edison’s infamous Electrocuting an Elephant was released, having been filmed on January 4th in Coney Island’s Luna Park. A crowd of 1,500 had gathered to see Topsy, billed as “the man-killing elephant,” executed with 6,000 volts of electricity. The movie is filed in my brain under “Why I Hate Thomas Edison” despite his invention of the electric light bulbs and motion picture technology on view in the wondrous “Coney Island, Luna Park by Night” filmed by Edwin S. Porter for the Edison Manufacturing Co. in 1905.

This week, Edison’s Elephant, a new play by David Koteles and Christopher Van Strander exploring the life and death of the abused and maligned Topsy premieres as part of Metropolitan Playhouse’s Gilded Stage Festival. The inspiration for the play came when Koteles, whose great grandfather worked for Edison during the early days of the Kinetoscope, learned about Topsy while watching a compilation of Edison’s short films. According to an interview with NY Theater Now, he was “horrified, but intrigued” and decided to team up with his friend Chris Van Strander to write the play.

Topsy inspired Rosie the elephant in Sara Gruen’s novel Water for Elephants (2006) and was the subject of journalist Michael Daly’s Topsy: The Startling Story of the Crooked Tailed Elephant (2013). Daly says the electrocution was Edison’s way of venting his fury over having lost the AC vs DC battle with Westinghouse, as well as his opportunity to film the first death of any kind. Although Topsy’s execution has been referenced in many films and literary works, as far as we know this is the first play.

Among the characters in Edison’s Elephant are an Edison employee involved in experiments with electricity that killed other animals prior to Topsy’s execution. His wife, who accompanies him to the execution, is the conscience of the play. “I think we’ve created a very special evening of theater. As well as a lovely tribute to Topsy,” Koteles said. The Metropolitan Playhouse festival, which runs from January 13-26, features nine new plays inspired by the leading writers and creators of the Gilded Age, including PT Barnum, L Frank Baum, Henry James, and Frederick Law Olmsted.

Edison’s Elephant by David Koteles and Chris Van Strander. Performances on January 16, 19, 24 and 25 at Metropolitan Playhouse’s Gilded Stage Festival, 220 East 4th Street, New York City. 212-995-5302

A Head Start on Summer Jobs in Coney Island

Posted in amusement park, tagged career, Coney Island Bar and Grill, Coney Island USA, Coney Island YMCA, job, lifeguard, Lola Star Boutique, New York Aquarium, summer job, YMCA on January 10, 2014| 1 Comment »

Cotton Candy Vendor in front of New York Aquarium. Photo © Tricia Vita

UPDATE: See post for 2015 season here: “Coney Island Amusement Park Jobs from Entry Level to Managerial Up for Grabs,” February 22, 2015

Imagine having a summer job in Coney Island, where you can eat cotton candy for lunch and go for a swim after work. Coney’s amusement parks and attractions, which open for the season on April 13, generally hold their first job screening in late February (Scroll down for an update on registering for this year’s first screenings on March 4th and 6th. The second series of job screenings will be on April 21 and 22.) A few businesses and non-profits are already advertising for year-round and seasonal help.

The New York Aquarium is seeking Teaching Fellows for a 12 week program from June through August. “The WCS Education Department’s Conservation Education Fellowship program is a unique opportunity for current undergraduate students, recent college graduates, and graduate students to explore conservation education,” according to the job description. Fellows teach summer camp programs for children. One year prior teaching experience and educational background in ecology, environmental science or education is preferred. Pay is $12/hr. Check the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Careers page for details.

If you want to be a New York City Parks lifeguard, you’ve got another week to take the qualifying test for the 2014 summer season. The test is being held on January 17th at Abraham Lincoln High on Ocean Parkway. Additional dates and sites in the five boroughs are listed on the “Become a Lifeguard” page of the New York City Parks Department’s website. A Parks spokesman tells ATZ that assignments are by seniority, but lifeguards may request a preferred or convenient location such as Coney Island Beach. Lifeguards work 48 hours per week and earn a minimum of $13.57 per hour for a weekly salary of over $650.

The Coney Island YMCA has a four-lane lap pool and a recreational pool. Photo courtesy YMCA of Greater New York

The beautiful new Coney Island YMCA on Mermaid Avenue opened in December and still has many year-round job openings. They are hiring lifeguards and fitness coaches, as well as instructors of swimming, ballet, tae kwon do, and group exercise. Other positions include property manager, child watch aide and porter. The Coney Island facility houses the largest aquatic center of any YMCA in New York City and offers some pretty nice perks. YMCA part-time and full-time employees receive free individual memberships and are encouraged to use all parts of the facility when they are not working to support a healthy lifestyle. Full-time employees receive a family membership, and part-time employees receive a discount for all family members. Visit the YMCA’s career opportunities page to apply.

Lola Star Boutique, Coney Island Boardwalk. Photo © Tricia Vita

Lola Star Boutique, which has locations on the Boardwalk and in Stillwell Terminal, is hiring a store manager. “Our sales associates are more like Hosts and Hostesses at a party rather than a conventional sales clerk. We are looking for a store manager that will go above and beyond in maintaining our shops, welcoming guests, managing employees and creating a unique and delightful experience,” says the ad on Craigslist. “You’ll spend your days by the ocean meeting a diverse array of people from all over the world. Everyday is a new adventure! You’ll also be encouraged to express your stylistic individuality. You’ll spend your days by the ocean meeting a diverse array of people from all over the world. Everyday is a new adventure! You’ll also be encouraged to express your stylistic individuality.”

Coney Island Bar & Grill, Surf Avenue, coney Island. Photo © Tricia Vita

Coney Island Bar and Grill, formerly known as Bratva Bar, is on the north side of Surf Avenue near West 12th Street. They’re seeking a cook with at least three years experience as a line or lead line cook who has experience working all stations in the kitchen. “We are looking for someone who is willing to grow with us, share ideas and most of all have a passion for the kitchen,” says their ad. “You must also be very RELIABLE; looking for someone we can count on. Be available for lunch, brunch, late night.”

Across Surf Avenue, arts organization Coney Island USA, which runs Sideshows by the Seashore and the Mermaid Parade, is seeking a Book-keeper/Office Manager with a B.A. in Accounting or Business Management. “Responsibilities include day to day financial management through Quickbooks, running weekly payroll, preparation of financial reports, maintenance of files and overall administrative support for the organization. Experience in the not-for-profit sector preferred.”

UPDATE February 23, 2014:

The Alliance for Coney Island has partnered with HireNYC, Brooklyn Workforce1 and NYC Department of Small Business Services to host this year’s screenings for seasonal jobs in Coney Island. The first round of screenings are for jobs at Luna Park, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park and Nathan’s. Among the new employers at the Coney Island job fair will be Rita’s Italian Ice, which is set to open this spring on Surf Avenue. Available positions include Ride and Game Operators, Food and Beverage Service, and Customer Service/Retail Sales. Candidates must register online prior to attending one of the screening events scheduled for Tuesday, March 4th and Thursday, March 6th in Coney Island. More information regarding the available jobs and a link to online registration is available here. You can see a listing of Luna Park’s open positions here.

Neon sign at Coney Island USA. Photo © Bruce Handy via flickr

Bunny Returns to Bulldozed Coney Island Garden, Kitten Euthanized

Posted in Animals, Coney Island Redevelopment, tagged Alley Cat Allies, Atlantic City Boardwalk, cat rescue, community garden, Coney Island, Empty Cages Collective, kitten, rabbit on January 8, 2014| 5 Comments »

Runaway bunny returns to bulldozed Coney Island Community Garden. January 7, 2013. Photo by Carolyn McCrory

The rabbit and the cats who ran off during the December 28th pre-dawn bulldozing of the Coney Island Community Garden, where they were cared for by the gardeners, have been spotted. “It is so sad to see them sitting on the barren land,” said Carolyn McCrory, who sent us a photo of the yet-to-be-rescued bunny, a white rabbit with black ears.

It’s distressing to imagine a domestic rabbit left to fend for itself in wintry Coney Island. All the more so because the place was named Conyne Eylandt –Rabbit Island– by the Dutch after the wild rabbits that lived here in the 17th century. This runaway rabbit, who fled when developer iStar bulldozed the garden after Christmas to make way for an amphitheater project, is the only one of its kind. He went back to the garden looking for shelter but found none. Did the bunny survive yesterday’s freeze? [Update: After several sightings, the bunny was finally “netted” by a rescuer on January 18th and is safe.]

Kittens from community garden ended up at ACC, where one was euthanized and these two were rescued by Empty Cages Collective. December 30, 2013.

Another sad story is that of a mother cat, a calico who has been seen returning repeatedly to the bulldozed lot looking for her kittens. As ATZ previously reported, when a gardener collected her chickens she also walked off with three kittens. As it turns out, the next morning a cat carrier with the kittens was left on the boardwalk in front of the demolished garden. Pleas for help were posted on Facebook but before a rescuer could get there, the carrier was picked up by the City’s Animal Care and Control, which is a kill shelter.

PJ McCosky of Empty Cages Collective, who has recently rescued several cats in Coney Island, was alerted and rushed to ACC to save them. One sickly kitten had already been euthanized. The other two kittens were rescued and are now in the care of Empty Cages foster homes. The kittens were about four weeks old when found and need to be bottle fed.

Empty Cages Collective is an all-volunteer organization. You can support the work they do for New York City’s animals by donating or volunteering to become a foster home and following their Facebook page.

Kitten from bulldozed community garden brought to ACC and rescued by Empty Cages Collective. December 30, 2013.

Since ATZ began covering Coney Island in 2009, the colonies of cats have been pushed farther west by the dismantling of Astroland and the demolition of vacant buildings such as the Henderson and the Playland Arcade. The construction on the Boardwalk at West 21st Street is causing further displacement. While there are many people feeding the cats, there is much more that needs to be done. With the new year and the new pro-animal rights administration of Mayor de Blasio, we would like to see a program modeled on Alley Cat Allies Atlantic City Boardwalk Cats Project. Since 2000, the national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats has cared for the feral cat colonies along the boardwalk as part of a city-supported Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. According to their website, Atlantic City Boardwalk’s famous cats draw visitors and admirers from all over the country. Can’t we do the same for cats on the Coney Island Boardwalk?