Hack Shots Of New York: January 2009

I had a dream . . .

History is Made - Barack H. Obama becomes the 44th President

Farewell to America's Eight-Year Long Nightmare

The next time we see this face on CNN, the caption will read "Will Defendant George W. Bush please rise"

Times Square Jumbotron showing Crowd in DC

Times Square crowd in Fr. Duffy Square, watching the inauguration of Pres. Obama.

Father Francis Patrick Duffy (1871-1932), after whom this square was names, was a military chaplain and a priest in the Times Square area. Born in Cobourg, Canada, Father Duffy moved to New York City in 1893 to teach French at the College of St. Francis Xavier (now Xavier High School). He was later ordained as a priest and in 1898, he accepted a teaching position at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie, New York, where he remained for the next fourteen years.

Father Duffy’s military service began in the Spanish-American War of 1898, serving as First Lieutenant and chaplain of the legendary Fighting 69th Infantry of the National Guard as well as Post Chaplain at the military hospital in Montauk Point, Long Island. In 1912, Father Duffy left St. Joseph’s Seminary and moved to New York City to establish the Parish of Our Savior in the Bronx.

In 1916, Father Duffy returned to the 69th Infantry, serving in Europe during World War I as part of the Rainbow Division and earning a number of medals. After the close of the war, Father Duffy returned to New York, and in 1920, was appointed pastor of the Holy Cross Church, located at 237 West 42nd Street. Serving the theater-district community for over a decade, Father Duffy died on June 26, 1932. In 1940 veteran character actor Pat O’Brien portrayed Duffy in the Hollywood film based on his life, The Fighting 69th, which also starred James Cagney.

Possibly the coolest place in NYC to watch the inauguration.

B.B.King's, situated at the crossroads of the world - 42nd Street - is one among many places welcoming people to watch the inauguration. If you were in D.C. for Obama's swearing in, you can enjoy B.B.King's hospitality, along with Black 47, on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day.

It's the End Of The World as We Know it

Brother can you spare a dime or a dollar

8th street and 6th AVE

How Did You Spend New Years Day

I was one in the crowd - not the Atlantic Ocean during the annual Polar Bear Club swim at Coney Island, Brooklyn.

My kids, however, decided to join the brave 800 who tested the waters. I remained high and dry with the 4000 or so others who came to watch. The family ended up at Nathan's to dry out.