WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES DECEMBER 1, 2016 21 Graffiti artist from Ridgewood serves Thanksgiving meals Photo by Anthony Giudice/RIDGEWOOD TIMES Ridgewood-based artist Plasma Slug held a Kindness event on Wednesday, Nov. 23, for those in need of a safe space and hot meal for Thanksgiving. Serving seniors on Thanksgiving in Ridgewood Assemblyman Mike Miller spent his Thanksgiving serving meals at the Peter Cardella Senior Center in Ridgewood on Nov. 24. He’s pictured here with Ignatius Grande and his son, the Director of the Peter Cardella Senior Center Barbara Toscano, Assemblyman Mike Miller, former Photo courtesy of Assemblyman Mike Miller Senator Serphin Maltese and Community Board 5 Chairman Vincent Arcuri. BY ANTHONY GIUDICE [email protected] @A_GIUDICEREPORT Just before everyone sat down to a delicious Thanksgiving feast last week, one artist from Ridgewood helped those who did not have a family, safe place or a warm cooked meal with a free Thanksgiving dinner last Wednesday aft ernoon. Plasma Slug held his Kindness event on Nov. 23 at 1080 Wyckoff Ave. between noon and 4 p.m. where dozens of people came in to the art gallery space to enjoy a hot meal. Plasma Slug was able to get the funds together to ensure that 100 plates were available — fully catered by nearby The Deep End — for those looking for a hot meal, and to escape the pressures of everyday life. “The election just made a lot of negative energy around everyone lately and I was thinking how I could combat that, so I figure on Wednesday the 23rd I wanted to invite everyone who is any need of food and compassion to come join us for a free hot meal,” Plasma Slug said. “It started out as an easy idea, but then the cost of everything really hit close to home; after all, I make a living from my art and that alone is never guaranteed. Either way I felt it was the right thing to do and took a chunk out of rent money and put it directly towards the food and was able to ensure 100 hot plates of pulled chicken, pulled turkey, pulled pork, stuffing and mashed potatoes. The rest of the money has been raised by selling art on my art pages and doing commissions all month with all proceeds going towards the project.” Plasma Slug specializes in graffi ti art and loves to use his work to help and inspire people. By selling his artwork, Plasma Slug was able to raise funds for the food, renting out the venue, security staff , tables and chairs, as well as marketing and promotion for the event. There was even entertainment on hand, as Loco Coco the Clown performed magic tricks, juggled, made balloon animals and did a sword-swallowing routine. This isn’t the fi rst time that Plasma Slug has held an event for the Ridgewood community. Last year he held “Plasmaville,” an art event for kids and adults at the historic Onderdonk House. “Tons of people were blown away by how much positive energy they were able to gain and give out after the art events in the past,” he said. “Up until recently, I have been focused on trying to maintain a living as a full-time artist and really didn’t get to do anything positive to my liking. The thought of feeding the homeless isn’t the first thing that comes to mind, but to have an area where people who need hot food and compassion can come together no matter what living status the outside world has given them and all to feel equal within the venue of the event.” ARTS & LEISURE
RT12012016
To see the actual publication please follow the link above