1. ATTEND RED BULL’S FLUGTAG: It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s… a school bus with electric-guitar-shaped wings piloted by a bunch of ’80s hair metal rock band impersonators? Sept. 15 marks the latest stop for Red Bull Flugtag, the international human-powered, homemade flying contraption competition that judges challengers on flight distance, creativity and showmanship. Participants will descend upon Philadelphia as they fly (and we use that word generously) their rickety craft off a 30-foot pier into the Delaware River. One team from Long Island—School of Rock—will be vying to break the U.S. record of 155 feet set by a flying banjo in Nashville, Tenn., in 2007.
2. PREORDER THE IPHONE 5: It’s true…hold on to your undies. Apple will begin taking preorders for the next-generation iPhone on Sept. 12—the same day it will unveil the new phone to the public. The phone is expected to hit the market the following week.
3. MAKE TOAST ON THE INTERNET: At first we visited the Bread Art Project website and saw these amazing portraits and landscapes that appear to be toasted on slices of bread. Pretty amazing—and intimidating for people with absolutely no artistic ability. The site was created by the Grain Foods Foundation in an effort to help end hunger in America. One piece of bread designed by you equals a $1 donation to Feeding America from them. The Foundation is donating $50,000 plus money raised from bread you submit—online and created by their Web Toaster. So whether you have the talent to draw freehand or just want to upload some photos, visit www.breadartproject.com.
4. RESERVE J.K. ROWLING’S NEW BOOK: Book Revue in Huntington is taking orders for the Harry Potter author’s much-anticipated first adult novel, The Casual Vacancy. The book officially goes on sale September 27th but if you preorder now, Book Revue will give you 20 percent off.
5. MEET CYNDI LAUPER: Cyndi Lauper is the best. And if you don’t remember, here’s why. While the singer was at a Buenos Aires airport back in March 2011 and flights were getting canceled and no one was happy, she took to the AP system to sing “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” Airport staff and stranded passengers sang along spontaneously. Nearby travelers and airport workers sang along. And thanks to flip cams and the Internet, so could the entire world. So, children of the ’80s, rejoice, Cyndi comes to Barnes & Noble Warren Street in Manhattan Sept. 18 for a meet and greet—and be prepared to sing.
6. LISTEN TO CANDY COATED FURY: Ska punk ’90s staple Reel Big Fish recently released their 7th studio album, Candy Coated Fury, an inspired and infectiously catchy return to the hyperkinetic ska and biting wit of the band’s beloved early albums. Check it out.
7. CELEBRATE PHIL: With his musical genius, his irascible wit, and his boundless love, local musician Phil Antonucci has touched the hearts of Long Islanders throughout most of his 59 years. A professional musician since his school days at both St. Ignatius and Holy Trinity in Hicksville, Phil has worked alongside Ll’s most noted musicians. Phil, best known as the guitarist and front man of Beginnings, the Chicago Tribute Band, recently passed away after a long battle with prostate cancer and lymphoma. On Sept. 12, local musicians will come together at the Huntington Elks Club to celebrate Phil’s life. Admission is $20 and will feature the rock, funk and horns of Uppercut, Mike DelGuidice and Big Shot and many other special guests.
8. TIVO THE VMA’S: The last proof that MTV was once a music station—the Video Music Awards—airs Sept. 6 at 8 p.m. Kevin Hart hosts and performers include The Wanted, Ke$ha, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys, Pink and Green Day. Obviously, most of this show will be crap, so set your TiVo so you can fast forward through the four hours in 20 minutes so you don’t miss the highlights, like the staged inevitable drama.
9. COMPETE ON CHOPPED: Can you create a $10,000 meal out of a mystery basket? Food Network’s hit cooking competition show is seeking skilled, creative, competitive professional chefs in the New York tri-state area (as well as Los Angeles and Seattle) to compete on new episodes! Men and women of any culinary specialty are invited to apply online at www.choppedcasting.com. This season, Chopped is also looking for amateur cooks, former military chefs, moms, weight-loss stories, unsung heroes, families and teens for special upcoming episodes.
10. CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR! Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins sundown Sunday, Sept. 16.
Stay tuned for an upcoming list of services and events.
