But not to worry, the New York Blood Center is making it easier to let the blood spill, thanks to a new technology that allows donors to give twice as much in a single sitting. Traditionally, donating a pint means giving up your plasma, platelets and white blood cells along with the good stuff—your red blood cells. The new technology, known as ALYX and developed by Baxter Technologies, spins the blood through a centrifuge, which separates the red cells and returns all the other liquids to the donor. The Blood Center says this leaves you feeling more hydrated and replenished. Basically, it’s like a trip to the spa!

The requirements for donors using ALYX are a little different, so call 1-800-933-BLOOD to find out how, when and where you can donate.

Photo courtesy of calnenearley on Flickr

Host Mary Tyler Moore said, “For the first time in New York City’s history, the euthanasia rate for cats and dogs in the city’s Animal Care & Control shelters has fallen below 50 percent.” Co-host Bernadette Peters added,” It’s bringing us closer to the day when we don’t have to euthanize any healthy and treatable homeless cats and dogs because of a lack of space.”

Broadway Barks, produced by Broadway Care/Equity Fights Aids, is sponsored by the ASPCA, The New York Times, Pedigree and RCA Small Wonder. Last year the event drew an audience of more than 6,000, but somehow we know there’ll still be enough pets to go around.

It’s getting so that shelters may have to euthanize the unwanted pets. "We have been making such good progress, this is heartbreaking," said Jane Hoffman, president of the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, speaking of the dropping number of pets put to sleep of late. Let’s keep it that way, so make sure to chop off your male pets’ naughty bits and get pets of the female persuasion spayed. Even better, if you’re thinking of adopting, don’t let the sun set before you visit the AC&C (326 W. 110th, 212-788-4000), the ASPCA (424 E. 92nd, 212-876-7700) or any of the other animal shelters or rescue groups in New York City. Lucky for you, there’s never been a bigger selection—thanks to selfish owners looking to go on vacation.

June, Jazz and Cognac at Hughes House continues this weekend. It’s hard to think of a more intimate venue than the parlor room of this landmark home with its original ceilings and moldings. This Friday night at 8 and 10, the Jana Herzen Band performs. Jana is the founder of Motema Music, whose offices are in Hughes House, and she’s also the executive producer of the JVC Festival. She describes her program of “Jazzified world-pop-folk” themed “ Love Happens” as her “original musical take on various angles of the love equation.” Saturday night’s performance (also at 8 and 10) is “Roni  Ben-Hur: Strayhorn Project,” a tribute to the celebrated Billy Strayhorn. Complimentary Cognac Ferrand tastings and other drinks are served one half hour before all showtimes along with tasty vittles. And of course, the Hughes House, one time residence of the legendary Harlem Renaissance writer, would be worth seeing even without the great jazz.

Lynne Arriale pictured.

Hughes House, 20 E. 127th St. (betw. Fifth & Madison Aves.), 212-222-5394; $15-25.

Currently, the city gets just about all the money generated by its
parks; but the report suggests giving more of the profit to the
Department of Parks and Recreation, giving its managers greater
incentive to find ways for concessions to earn more. It’s called
enlightened self-interest. The CBC explains that parks in the best condition are the ones funded by private, non-profit groups, like the Central Parks Conservancy. And, it follows, parks in poorer neighborhoods are the ones in the worst condition, those run by the Parks Department. Duh.

One bright note, for the first time Mayor Bloomberg’s proposed budget preserves the last year’s funding level for park and tree maintenance as well as playground associates in parks where no staff is assigned. In the past, that funding has been negotiable with city council, but Bloomy has put his foot down this year as part of PlaNYC, allocating more money to care for the city’s trees and natural spaces. That totally makes up for not being able to sit around smoking on our trans fat-cushioned asses.

Her solo show at Feinstein’s at the Regency, “Up Close,” runs through the end of the month and is aptly named: a small room with terrific acoustics, tables that aren’t piled on top of each other and comfortable, well-upholstered seating. Although it was clear her fans would have gladly stood up for the entire show. She opened with the ballad, “Here’s To Life” (“…To dreamers and their dreams”), she could have been singing about herself and her own personal resilience.

I guess it shouldn’t be a surprise that the woman appears so confident and so happy to be right where she is. She even said so, “If I died and I could come back as anyone, I’d come back as Mary Wilson of The Supremes.” It’s impossible to look at her and listen to her and not be reminded of that young woman who, with her friends from the Brewster Projects of Detroit, dreamed of being a star and really made it, becoming one of The Supremes, one of the most successful and famous female singing groups in recording history. And when she sang, “My World Is Empty Without You,” it was hard to tell who was happier—the audience at hearing it or her while singing it. Her choice of songs was eclectic, “Smile,” “New York State of Mind” and “Don’t Know Why,” and her voice is amazingly strong, but what’s surprising is the emotional connection she brings to everything she sings.

Wilson thinks that the singers and groups today ought to realize that the eyes and ears of younger people are on them. “What you do matters to young people,” she cautions, adding they ought to try to “walk a straighter line.” Getting that first break may be harder, she acknowledges. “It’s more about marketing and making money than finding new genuine talent and creativity. Record companies are more into looking for a gimmick or something they can sell.”

Feinstein’s At The Regency ain’t cheap. There’s a $75 cover and a $40 minimum. But it’s certainly comparable to tickets to a Broadway show and a bite to eat. And all that for a living legend.

The Regency is at 540 Park Ave. (at 61st St.), 212-339-4095 for reservations.

David Gratt, Managing Director of Coney Island USA, the not-for-profit arts organization that produces the parade, has announced that this year’s celebrity King Neptune will be Adam Savage of the Discovery Channel’s “MythBusters,” whose appearance will do double duty, “dispelling the myth that this is the Mermaid Parade’s last year,” and Queen Mermaid will be Patti D’Arbanville of FX’s “Rescue Me,” who’ll be there “to rescue Coney Island from Poorly Planned Development” (cute, huh?).

After the parade, stay for the ball, when everybody will gather to listen to music and watch sideshow acts and burlesque shows like the all-female “Tits and Giggles.” For a thrill of the non-marine variety, slip in to see Chuy, “the Wolf Man of Mexico,” living proof that fuzzy wuzzy wasn’t always a bear.

With the destruction of Astroland a done deal and all kinds of development looming, this Mermaid Parade may be the last to bear witness to Coney Island as it once was. So whether you have a thing for Ariel or Triton, take a break from your fellow bipeds and get your sea legs—who knows, one of these days the Mermaid Parade could be taking place under water.

Photo courtesy of Jeff Keen on Flickr.