Council Member Tony Avella and Singer-Songwriter Nellie McKay Join National Pigeon Day
Council Member Tony Avella won election to the New York City Council in the 19th District - Northeast Queens in 2001 and was reelected with an overwhelming majority in both the 2003 and 2005 elections. Tony is Chair of Zoning and Franchises for the City Council and is a member of five Council committees: Higher Education, Housing and Buildings, Fire and Criminal Justice Services, Land Use, and Veterans.
Nellie McKay has released three critically acclaimed albums: Get Away From Me, Pretty Little Head, and her most recent, Obligatory Villagers. Nellie's music has been heard on the television shows Weeds, Grey's Anatomy and NCIS. She created original songs for the Rob Reiner-directed film Rumor Has It, and recently made her feature film debut in P.S. I Love You.
New York, NY (PRWEB) May 30, 2008 -- Friday, June 13
4 - 8 p.m.
Pilgrim Hill in Central Park
New York, NY
enter on 5th Avenue @ E. 72nd Street
Speakers include:
Council Member Tony Avella, Nellie McKay, In Defense of Animals, Deacon Joseph Dwyer, Janice Fredericks, United Poultry Concerns, Susan Raimond, Raghav K. Goyal and Ana A. Garcia.
Speaking Schedule:
4 p.m. -- Valerie Sicignano, East Coast Director of In Defense of Animals
Opening remarks.
The current situation regarding the illegal baiting and trapping of pigeons will be addressed.
4:30 -- The Honorable Council Member Tony Avella (D), District 19, Queens, New York, NY
5:15 -- Deacon Joseph Dwyer, graduate of the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey; Ordained Catholic Deacon; Vice Chancellor for Administration for the Diocese of Newark; Board Member for Catholic Concern for Animals.
Synopsis: Why compassion and love must be applied in all our relationships with animals, and how the loyalty of pigeons saved mankind during World Wars 1 and 11 carrying messages in the heat of battle. Medals were bestowed upon Cher Ami, G.I. Joe and Winkie for saving human lives.
Immediately following Deacon Dwyer's talk, he will conduct a Candlelight Vigil and Prayer Service for the pigeons of New York City, accompanied on the guitar by Jan Fredericks. Copies of the Best Friends Proclamation will be available for hand out.
June 13th is also the day of the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua, Doctor of Theology and Franciscan Patron Saint of the Animal Kingdom. An integral part of St. Anthony's Feast Day is the blessing of the animals.
Biblical References:
Proverbs 12:10, "The righteous man regards the life of his beast."
In Genesis 9, after the flood, it is mentioned five times that "I will make a covenant with you and with all living creatures."
Deuteronomy 22 and Exodus 23, "If you see an animal that is overburdened, you should lighten its load to help it."
Job 12: 7-10, "Ask the birds, ask the beasts and they will teach you."
5:45 -- Susan Raimond, lecturer, author and harpist will present a performance on the harp.
6 -- Karen Davis, Ph.D., President of United Poultry Concerns
"The Human Nature of Pigeons"
Synopsis: A scientist calls pigeons "geniuses." Pigeons are highly intelligent birds and model parents. She will show by way of example how closely their hearts and minds are akin to our own.
6:40 -- Raghav K. Goyal, Committee Member
Synopsis: A Long Island teenager's perspective on the fight for the singular international bird.
7 -- Ana A. Garcia, Social Studies high school teacher
Synopsis: presentation of art works by students that display the valuable and valiant efforts of the gentle and intelligent pigeons during World War I. Students indicated a respect and admiration for the courage and intelligence that the pigeons demonstrated during a critical time during WWI. Their sentiments are wonderfully displayed in their artwork which was part of a special project as a result of a lesson plan that revolved around the bravery of the pigeons, and most particularly Cher Ami.
7:15 -- Nellie McKay, singer-songwriter, acclaimed actress and animal activist.
She will sing Feed the Birds on her ukulele among other songs.
"Feed the Birds (Tuppence a Bag)" is a song written by the Sherman Brothers (Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman) and featured in the 1964 motion picture Mary Poppins. It is reputed to have been Walt Disney's favorite song.
The song speaks of an old beggar woman who sits on the steps of Saint Paul's Cathedral, selling bags of breadcrumbs to passers-by for tuppence a bag, so that the passers-by can feed the many pigeons who surround the old woman. (The scene is reminiscent of the real-life seed sellers in nearby Trafalgar Square that once existed.)
Entertainment, speeches, materials distribution, candlelight prayer service with guitar accompaniment and pigeon shaped cookies. Learn how carrier pigeons Cher Ami, GI Joe and Winkie saved the lives of more than 1,000 men in wartime. Become part of Project Pigeon Watch and have fun learning about our fascinating NYC residents.
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