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KATIE Book Reading This Wednesday @ Gay Community Center w/Film Star Treat

Posted December 3rd, 2010 in Friendship by Glenn Plaskin

CENTER SPEAKERS PRESENTS MICHAEL LUCAS IN CONVERSATION WITH AUTHOR GLENN PLASKIN

EVENT DATE

Wednesday, December 8 2010 : 7:00pm – 8:30pm

LOCATION

The Center

DESCRIPTION

Glen PlaskinWednesday, December 8, 2010
Reception 6PM, Program 7PM

The Center Speakers Series is proud to present Michael Lucas in conversation with author Glenn Plaskin.

Join us for this fascinating and touching conversation and book signing with author Glenn Plaskin. This conversation will be moderated by one of the most provocative figures in the gay adult entertainment industry, Michael Lucas.

For animal lovers everywhere, Katie: Up & Down The Hall is the heartwarming story of how five neighbors are brought together by the presence of a remarkable dog. In an increasingly frenetic culture where “real” families are often scattered and relationships strained, this uplifting tale dramatically demonstrates how a surrogate family can become just as close as a biological one.

More About Author the Glenn Plaskin
Best-selling author Glenn Plaskin specializes in writing in-depth celebrity interviews and human development stories. His published work includes two books: Horowitz: The Biography of Vladimir Horowitz and Turning Point: Pivotal Moments in the Lives of America’s Celebrities, based on the syndicated column he wrote for the New York Daily News and Tribune Media Services. His features have appeared in Family Circle, Playboy, Us, W, Redbook, Cosmopolitan, Ladies’ Home Journal and in hundreds of U.S. and foreign newspapers; including the New York Times and the New York Daily News.

A veteran psychology reporter and longtime contributing editor at Family Circle, his interview subjects have included such legendary figures as Katharine Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Meryl Streep, Nancy Reagan, Edward Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, Diana Ross, Calvin Klein, Sophia Loren, Shirley MacLaine, Barbara Walters, Peter Jennings, Marianne Williamson, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, Donald Trump, Bill Gates, Christopher Reeve, Carol Burnett, Dolly Parton, Bette Midler, Cher and Oprah Winfrey. He has appeared on Oprah, Larry King, Joan Rivers, Geraldo, Sally Jesse Raphael, Today, and other television shows

Michael LucasMore About Michael Lucas
Michael Lucas is the most mainstreamed, provocative, and controversial figure in gay adult entertainment. With his unique character, activism, and distinction, he is at the forefront of his industry and beyond. Gay newsmagazine The Advocate said, “Michael Lucas has used the stardom porn gave him as a platform to speak out against drugs, unsafe sex, child exploitation, anti-Semitism, religious oppression of gays, and a host of other social problems.”

Lucas has been called everything on his rise to be the owner of one of the most successful porn empires in the world: savvy, abrasive, ruthlessly honest, iron-fisted, intelligent, blunt, disciplined and determined. He is strong, triumphant and this industry’s sexiest maverick.

More About Katie: Up & Down The Hall
When journalist and bestselling author Glenn Plaskin decided to get a dog, he never imagined that his cocker spaniel would so dramatically change his life. He named the somewhat homely runt of the litter Katie, after one of his favorite interview subjects, Katharine Hepburn. But on the day he brought the blond ball of fur home, he realized he needed help, not knowing a whole lot about raising a puppy.

So he walked down the hall of his New York City apartment building and impulsively knocked on the door of Pearl, his octogenarian neighbor, who had raised cocker spaniels in the past. When that door opened, Katie plopped into Pearl’s lap—and what followed was a series of events that would forever change the course of all their lives.

A must read for lgbt dog lovers!

Joan Rivers
“Katie types, she models, she uses a remote, she changes the lives of everyone around her–and she’s got a great wardrobe! What dog (other than my own, of course) can do all that? Well Katie can– and it’s a fabulous, heartfelt book.”

Mary Tyler Moore
“Katie is a dream come true to the various families living on her floor in a New York apartment. Her heart is so big that she adopts them all, making you wish you were one of them.”

Judge Judy Sheindlin
“Katie the cocker spaniel and her human family teach that loving isn’t abut the bonds of biology, loving is about embracing and caring for each other. Glenn Plaskin’s book will touch the heart of anyone who has ever loved a dog.”

Liz Smith
“Beg, borrow, buy or steal Glenn Plaskin’s wonderful interviews.”

PRICE

$10

REGISTER

Purchase Tickets Here!

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Yojani Hernandez, yhernandez@gaycenter.org, 212-620-7310

SEE ALSO

Room Locations for all events and meetings at the Center on Wednesday, December 8, 2010

See other featured events on Wednesday, December 8, 2010

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A Neighborhood Restaurant Opens Its Doors To ‘Katie,’ To Help Other Dogs

Posted November 23rd, 2010 in Friendship by Glenn Plaskin

Last Thursday evening, my favorite Battery Park City restaurant, Izzy & Nats, presented a glamorously-produced book signing for KATIE, all proceeds donated to AmsterDog, a non-profit animal rescue group founded by our charismatic neighbor Deb Dilorio.

Neighborhood Hero Deb Dilorio (Photo by the wonderful Maura Lynch of the Associated Press)

The evening demonstrated the remarkable way in which residents in Lower Manhattan band together to help one another–one of the main themes of my book.

Before and since 9/11, our little community has become an enclave all unto itself, the friendliness here worth noting. It’s virtually impossible to walk your dog without continually running into friends who say hello and stop to chat. It’s like a little resort.

This only proves that a family is anything you want it to be–whether human or canine, young or old, you name it, the only criteria being the affection and fun that binds it together.

Izzy & Nat's owner Brooke Phillips with me and my new puppy Lucy

I was so touched that more than 150 of my friends and neighbors came by to get a signed book–including little kids, young professionals, seniors in their 80’s and 90’s–and in the process, help Deb save abandoned cats and dogs from shelters and disaster sites–animals who would otherwise lose their lives.

Amazingly, all 100 books were gone in a few hours, with kids

State Senator Daniel Squadron (Photo by The Broadsheet's Robert Simko, a wonderful friend and supporter)

and adults receiving not only a book, but stuffed cocker spaniel toys and chocolate “dog bones” with Katie’s picture inscribed on each.

The owner of Izzy’s, Brooke Phillips, who has given her eatery a true family feeling, decorated the restaurant with lovely white roses and lilies,silver ornaments. Her friendly staff served mini-potato pancakes, smoked salmon, corned beef-and-pastrami

Photographer Sheila Williams and Life Coach Peg Wallis, both dear friends (Photo Maura Lynch)

sliders, and complimentary cocktails, not to mention the dog-bone cookies with Katie’s name inscribed on each of them.

I was especially helped during the evening by our able doorkeeper (and the world’s best book saleswoman)–Roberta Kahan–together with our volunteer cashier, the super-efficient Ana Bishop, who kept me and the line moving! For dozens of additional photos of the event, wonderful shots taken by the super-talented photographer Sheila Williams, please

My favorite Battery Park City Couple (Under the age of 30!) Anthony Goble and Katty Goble (Photo by Sheila Williams)

visit my Katie Up And Down The Hall Facebook Fan Page.

Dream Team: Roberta Kahan, Lee Blake, Ana Bishop, A Great Book Sales Trio (Photo by Peg Wallis)

And, of course, I was most touched by Brooke’s very generous show of support and warmth, opening her doors to the entire Battery Park City community. In fact, one of the key messages of my book is: OPEN YOUR DOOR, really a metaphor for opening your heart to those in need, whether it be an animal or a

person. If you just look around, you’ll always find a senior who needs a helping hand, a child who needs a mentor, or a dog that needs a walk. I sure

My Cousin Bunny, a lifelong friend and fan

did, which is how my book all started.

I was the one in need, having just adopted a puppy with no idea about how to train one. So I walked down my hallway, knocked on the door of an 80-year-old woman who was expert in training dogs, and I wound up with an entirely new life, filled with friendship and family. This one action led to all the events that unfold in KATIE UP AND DOWN THE HALL.

And so, to finish off this season of Katie’s book debut, what better way to celebrate it than having a neighborhood get together to help a neighbor. To me, that’s the true meaning of family, which is why our evening at Izzy & Nats was the best possible Thanksgiving–and it came a week early!

BPC Dog Association's Paula Galloway, Rosalie Joseph, and Lee Blake--a starring figure in KATIE

Young KATIE fans

Rosalie Joseph and Greer Griffith

A very good sport in orange bows

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Mini-Pastrami Sliders, Potato Pancakes, Dog Bone Cookies, Puppy Spaniels + A Book Signing2

Posted November 15th, 2010 in Friendship by Glenn Plaskin

When I was a kid, every single Saturday I looked forward to going out to lunch at my favorite restaurant, Watsons, located in Buffalo, NY, right next

Little Glenn, Ready For Lunch Out!

door to my Dad’s clothing store–The Roger Lewis Shop.

Eating out as an eight- or ten-year-old was a thrill to me. It seemed so grown up and I liked the independence of it. I always ordered the same lunch–chocolate milk and a hamburger and french fries (not too healthy!). I also visited the well-stocked chocolate counter at Watson’s–filled with home-made treats made right there.

My once-a-week lunch out as a child escalated, in adulthood, into an every day habit. And ever since, throughout my life, I’ve always found a favorite lunch spot where I could get away from work, read the newspaper, or visit with a friend while people-watching and eating delicious food.

My current favorite restaurant is Izzy & Nats–located right here in Battery Park City at the southern tip of Manhattan just a block away from my apartment. It’s on South End Avenue, right in front of the restaurant, where I walked KATIE hundreds of times over a period of fifteen years.

In fact, the entire story of my book takes places within this Lower Manhattan neighborhood, and because of its out-of-the-way location, top-notch diners like Izzy & Nats are few and far between. I go there almost every day, the waiters automatically putting in my order when I sit down.

The menu is perfect for lunch–great salads, Matzo Ball soup, the crispiest home-made french fries in town,excellent turkey burgers, home-made bagels, plus a variety of other deli treats, from seven-layer chocolate cake to raspberry-filled ruggelach.

And, of course, when you go to a place as often as I do, you become friends with everybody.

The owners of Izzy’s, Alan and Brooke Phillips, are the most warm-hearted, community-minded restauranteurs. In fact, after Brooke read KATIE UP AND DOWN THE HALL, she told me that she was so touched by the story that she wanted to host a reception for my book in her restaurant for all our dog-loving friends and neighbors.

This is a very kind thing to do–and the perfect illustration of one of the unifying themes of my book–about the power of neighborhood connections, caring for and supporting one another, proving that a family is anything you want it to be, whether it be human/canine, young/old, straight/gay, you name it.

So while KATIE had a great mid-town debut party hosted by Calvin Klein, and a Tribeca Barnes & Noble bookreading, hosted by Liz Smith–at last, we’re having a Battery Park City event to celebrate the publication of my book. 

And you’re all invited to this reception, this Thursday, November 18th, from 6-8 pm. Come meet me and my new puppy Lucy, her dog trainer, Rob Haussmann, Alan and Brooke Phillips, plus a host of incredible friends who have been so greatly supportive to me.

And in addition to getting your KATIE UP AND DOWN THE HALL book signed by me (plus a paw print from Lucy) they’ll be chocolate dog bones (for humans), stuffed cocker spaniel dolls (for kids), and a scrumptious assortment of Izzy & Nats signature dishes–mini-bagels with smoked salmon, corned beef and pastrami mini-sliders, mini-potato pancakes, and custom-made dog bone cookies decorated with Katie’s name on them.

Lucy At Barnes & Noble, Guarding the KATIE books

And the great news is that all proceeds from the sale of KATIE will be donated to AmsterDog, a non-profit animal rescue group founded by BPC resident Deb Dilorio, recently profiled in the Downtown Express newspaper.

Deb is our neighborhood’s greatest champion for dogs and cats who have been abandoned in shelters or found in disaster sites–and we want to do everything we can to support her efforts to help animals in need.

So, please come to my favorite lunch spot, located just yards from the Hudson River, and lift a glass of wine in tribute to Deb and to all the dogs and cats that enhance our lives, giving back to us so much more than we can ever give to them.

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Javits Center’s “Meet The Breeds” Meets KATIE

Posted October 14th, 2010 in Friendship by Glenn Plaskin

It’s going to be more fun than a circus, more exciting than Animal Planet, and a definite treat for all animal lovers fascinated by the endless variety of dogs and cats that inhabit earth.

What could it be? It’s MEET THE BREEDS, the annual event hosted by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), held at the Jacob Javits Center this Saturday and Sunday, October 16th and 17th.

Last year, I was one of 36,000 attendees who enjoyed the event, with its 200 individually decorated official breed booths that allowed dogs and cat lovers to interact with dogs, cats, puppies and kittens and learn about their history and unique attributes directly from the experts;

100 vendor booths offered every imaginable product for pets and their owners; and five ongoing demonstration rings featured law enforcement K9s, grooming, agility, obedience and an interactive “Cat Idol” showcase and more.

The event was also a big hit with the press, generating more than 475 million media impressions.

This year’s event is especially exciting for me, as KATIE UP AND DOWN THE HALL, is making its MEET THE BREEDS debut. In fact, KATIE is the only book being featured at this grand event.

So this Saturday, from 1 to 3 p.m., please come by and say hello, pick up an autographed copy of my book, and meet me and my new puppy, Lucy, who will have her picture taken with you and sign your book as well, as she has excellent pawmanship.

Lucy can't wait to autograph your book!

Borders will be on hand to distribute the book, and we’re going to be in the American Kennel Club’s Humane Fund Booth #2225. I’ll be especially glad to see American Kennel Club’s President Dennis Sprung and the AKC’s Communications Director, Lisa Peterson–both of whom were on hand for the KATIE UP AND DOWN THE HALL LAUNCH PARTY.

So please join me and Lucy there–and for anyone getting there early, they’ll be a special treat for chocolate lovers.

Here’s what the American Kennel Club recently wrote about the event in their newsletter:

You’re Invited! Come see what happens when 160 breeds of dog and 41 breeds of cat get together this October at the second annual Meet the Breeds! Join the American Kennel Club, Cat Fanciers’ Association and breeds galore on October 16 & 17 at the Javits Center in NYC for the world’s largest showcase of dogs and cats.

Presented by PetPartners, this family-fun event features hundreds of breed experts in every pet-related field including breeding, grooming and training who will answer your questions and help identify the best breed for you.  Play with thousands of dogs, cats, puppies and kittens!  Shop the mall of fun pet products! See exciting demonstrations including dogs and cats racing against the clock in the fast-paced sport of Agility! Play games and take home free samples from hundreds of vendor booths.

Meet the Breeds is an entertaining way for friends and families to enjoy quality time together while learning how to become responsible pet owners.  Giant Mastiffs in a Medieval castle, Siamese cats depicting a scene from Lady and the Tramp, Norwegian Elkhounds on a Viking ship, and Russian Blue cats set in an Imperial Palace are just some of the more than 200 dog and cat booths that were at last year’s event.

Come Meet Us at Meet the Breeds!

Rescue InkMeet Rescue Ink – When you think of animal rescue groups, do tattoos and motorcycles come to mind? You better think again! Rescue Ink™ is a group of tattooed, motorcycle-riding guys who have a zero tolerance policy on animal abuse and neglect. You may recognize them from their popular National Geographic show, Rescue Ink Unleashed, but now you have the chance to meet them!
Katie Up and Down the Hall

Meet “Katie Up and Down the Hall” Author – Glenn Plaskin and his Cocker Spaniel puppy Lucy – for a book signing on Saturday from 1-3 p.m. at the AKC Humane Fund Booth
Canine Excellence

Meet Canine Heroes – Meet three of this year’s AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence winners – Cassius the German Shepherd Dog, Rufus the Colored Bull Terrier and Wyatt the Rhodesian Ridgeback – who will be on-hand for the local awards ceremony and to meet and greet the public at the AKC Humane Fund booth. Bring your camera and take a picture with them!

Family Dog MagazineMeet AKC Family Dog Magazine Cover Dog – Lennon the Pomeranian – at the AKC Publications booth on Saturday. Lennon is the “cover dog” of the September/October 2010 issue. Complimentary copies of AKC Family Dog will be distributed both days. Be sure to stop by and snap your own photo with the cover dog!

I own a dog and I voteMeet Honorary Chairpersons – Visit Pet-loving Lawmakers – at the AKC Booth and see one of the DOGNY statues too!

Tickets

To purchase tickets and learn more about the event visit today! The site includes event information, a special advance ticket offer and a list of vendors who will be selling unique dog and cat products. Fun interactive features include and games, fun , the opportunity to and cat breed that represents NY, NJ and CT, a hosted by AOL’s Paw Nation, and of every dog and cat breed.

Tickets purchased at are $10 for adults, $6 for children under 12 if you use the code: YAKC. Take advantage of this special pre-event offer by ordering your tickets now! Tickets purchased at the door are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12. The event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday, October 16, and Sunday, October 17. Each ticket allows admittance for one day.

Attention Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts

We are excited to announce that all and will be able to earn their Responsible Pet Ownership Patch at Meet the Breeds! Click on the above links for more information and be sure to visit the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scout Council of Greater New York’s booths at Meet the Breeds!

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