wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

hey I love your show.. really.
But FYI- please take the throat lozenge out of your mouth when you go on.. the EQ totally picks up the sound of this yellowish wet thing moving around in your mouth. otherwise keep up the good work!

3 way.

I know my chance of receiving this for the holidays is next to zero, but for the record, this is what I'd like:

Friendship. Especially the face-to-face, spending-time-with-each-other kind. I have Asperger's syndrome, and while I can earn a modest living, at least for now, friendship is a foreign country to me. It almost never happens for me and I don't know how it's done. But I'm not so cut off from the world that I have no idea of what I'm missing.

At any time this would be a cause of great loneliness, but now when the economy is a wreck and one hears from all quarters that family and friends are everything, it's like hearing an endless loop of "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You."

And with money so tight, I can't afford to pour it into endless social-skills coaching that may or may not lead to a payoff in friendship.

This may sound self-pitying, but I believe that something like it needs to be heard.

i was on the air today. i called in to suggest an idea culled from my "how to make mistakes on purpose" creativity workshops, which i have taught everywhere from stockholm, to google, to starbucks corporation. the idea is this: BAD portraits. get a nice 1 inch thick small (6 x 8 inch or so) prepared panel at the art supply store, a sharpie or any permanent marker, and go wild. make the baddest, silliest portraits you can. they will love them if they have a sense of humor, and if they don't- well, why do they deserve a present? the point of the workshops is to stop trying so hard to be good. be bad, and things are better. for more information, go to:

www.rosenworld.com
and click on mistakes workshop.

i would actually like to talk about the workshops in more depth on the air sometime.

thanks.

There are many charities that sell items as a fundraising method. You can buy a pearl bracelet for $25.00, for example, from the National Osteoporosis foundation. You make a donation, and get a bracelet that makes a nice gift.
Others give incentives. Contribute $120 to WNYC, and give as a gift the New Yorker subscription, for example, to someone who would like that.

Get/Give Foot Massages by you --not a nail salon --- certificates for l a month. Letters written telling people how much you love them what you like about them (no hate mail or electronic stuff). A poem. A photo you love and tell them why. A commitment to walk with a friend-- for fellowship and fitness.

Can someone tell us the ins and outs of getting and responding to a Dear Santa letter from the post office?

Let the giftee choose the charity...

http://www.charitygiftcertificates.org/

Sherlock Holmes- not the books, the actual person

I want Sherlock Holmes for Christmas-- not the books, the person

Hi Ruth,

It was already mentioned, but here's the link to the columbia university dental care clinic:
http://communitydentcare.columbia.edu

Also here are some other places according to the Village Voice.

RYAN-NENA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER (279 East 3rd Street , 212-477-8500, ryancenter.org)

MICHAEL CALLEN-AUDRE LORDE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER (356 West 18th Street, 212-271-7200, callen-lorde.org)

good luck and happy holidays!

This year we are donating to charities instead of gifts. I give to a charity I like in my firends name and they give to one they like in my name.

I would love for my husband to watch TV in a more targeted way so we would have the time to watch movies at home. He likes to browse...

wishful thinking: to be able to eat whatever I want. I am lactose intolerant with IBS and I'd do anything to eat (real) ice cream without pain again.

realistic wish: health insurance

I want snow!!!!

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Deborah

http://termlifeinsurance2.com

NYU has a dental clinic that goes - last I heard - by sliding scale. Free services might be available.

Recycle your ewaste to keep it out of the landfill and get a FREE movie pass
and even FREE popcorn!

curbsidebooty.blotspot.com

There are many free concerts in NYC. The wonderful presentations at Trinity Church and St. Barts (Park Ave) come to mind. Why not invite the people you wish to give to to join you at one of these programs.

NYU dental school is bad. Maybe Columbia's Dental School is better? At NYU, you are a practice dummy. After a few years of treatment there, I've lost several teeth and will lose a few more that can't be saved. There are some good faculty there, but you would have to be extremely lucky to ever have the student supervised by them.

I would like oven-baked cookies!

My sisters and I get together every X-mas eve, we each bring ingredients from our kitchens, and cook together, and have dinner. We bring clothes and other items we no longer use and exchange them. We don't spend a cent and we get "new" clothes, household items and products.

the gift of a tax deduction&helping someone at the same time:
a gift i've found useful is to help my family [and myself] clean out stuff we no longer use out of our homes, AND..AND >>> donate this stuff to organizations that need it in the good condition in which we've donated it AND get the tax deductible receipt.
Of course, this is a year round gift for my family, but if the holidays are the only time you can see someone, it's time well spent, and you also get a chance to see the crap they've been keeping in their attics and basements for years. Maybe even help them get rid of the extra payment for the storage unit they were using in the meantime.

Dear Ruth,

Perhaps I haven't entered this in the right place. I think one may submit himself or herself for dental and presumably periodontal work by supervised students in those disciplines at NYU Dental School. I don't know exact procedural aspects of this but recommend investigating options for free or low cost work performed by students. SC

Dear Ruth,

I had a friend who was in your situation and I took her to NYU and while it was much cheaper, it was not free and I did pay them on her behalf. They do take Medicaid I believe but she did not have Medicaid.

I was willing to pay for her but you might want to talk to them and they might consider your situation.

NYU will see you right away, you will not have to wait if you tell them it is an emergency.

I also heard that Columbia University's School of Dentistry has a similar program but she lives in Brooklyn, so NYU on 24th Street near 1st Avenue was better for us.

In either case, it will be advanced dental students who take care of you but they are carefully supervised. We were very lucky, we had a student who will definitely be an excellent dentist.

I also wanted a free clinic for this friend but we could not find one. I asked my own dentist if he knew of anyone who would treat her free or at a very low cost, hoping he would offer to do it himself, but he said he
did not know anyone and did not offer to do the work himself. I was disappointed but there was nothing I could do about that

I agree that an agency like Community Service Society might pay for your dental work, even pay at NYU.

I wish you the best. Having dental problems makes life very difficult. I hope this email will help you a little.

Sue on UWS

before credit cards people used cash and saved the amount needed for an extravagant purchase. Arecession teaches what our needs really are and just how much pleasure there is in self sufficiency. If anyone wants advice...cut up your credit card, stop smokeing walk everyware, eat less and more nurishing food, learn how to bake bread, make a budget, cut your disposable income after rent by 30%, give up one of your electronic services. do you want more suggestions talk to anyone still alive who lived through the 1929-33 depression...less is more!

Columbia Dental School also has similar services (for free I believe).

To the woman who is looking for free treatment for her dental disease: Hello, and I hope this helps... I know many people who have not received the dental care they've needed for a variety of reasons. I think it's great that you're looking for treatment and I have reason to think you will be able to get it for little or no cost. That's because it's very common for dental schools to offer work for little or no money. The dental work will take longer because multiple students will be engaged in observing, etc., but I have heard from my faculty and student friends at various universities that the work is reliable and safe and is always carefully supervised and checked by the dentists who teach in the school. I'm sorry I don't have more specific information, but I suggest you call the dental schools in the NYC area. Good luck, and take care.

Re: free dental work. Years ago my elderly neighbor in the East Village had all his dental work done at the NYU Dental School. Apparently the students there work on members of the community either for free or for an extremely reduced rate. He even had a root canal done there. Check with NYU to see if they still offer this community service.

This is for the caller that asked about getting a gift of dental care.

I found the following list of "reduced cost" providers of dental care on the city's website. The links to the page indicated that some of the providers actually gave free care.

Here's the link:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/hia/html/resources/services_dental.shtml

Best of luck!

Free Medical Clinics and Dental Clinics in Brooklyn, New York

http://freemedicalcamps.com/vcamp.php?cityid=734

I'm one of the ticked off Freelancers Union members who does not want to be insured by the new Freelancers Insurance company, but since so little notice was given to us I will have no choice but to switch my coverage to them for a month while I get things set up through a new insurer. I am currently working with NASRO http://www.nasro-co-op.com/health/directory.shtml to get the best bang for my buck, which will likely be one of the no-deductible Oxford plans. Health insurance is expensive enough, but switching insurance brings additional expenses as well - since you basically need to come up with a 2nd insurance premium payment for the month you're switching (paying for the current month and then pre-paying for the new coverage). Some of us - especially in the month of December - just don't have an extra $500 to spare, along with the medical expenses we're already incurring (i am having surgery on Dec 18th, pushed up from January since I could not afford to have it in January under the new FIC insurance because of the much higher deductibles and coinsurance requirements)

to ruth who asked about free dental care: it's not free, but the NYU dental school (on first ave and 24th street in manhattan) is relatively inexpensive. a few years ago, i got 7 teeth filled for $200. the only thing is that it takes a long time.

we usually have a holiday party after xmas for our friends kids. These are extra gifts that we thought we can rechannel considering the times. This year we will be asking the kids to select a non-for-profit organization (Make a wish foundation, Unicef, etc.) instead of gifts. we discussed it with them and they are looking forward to it.

Regarding cheap dentists, the listener can always go to NYU or a comparable dental school for dramatically reduced rates. Its not ideal but its much better than nothing.

NYU Dental School is not free but incredibly affordable.
Ask them that you'd like to apply for their Capitol One Line of credit, interest free for 48 months.
Through this program I can pay my $2000 dental bill (One crown, three cavities,one tooth implant)over 24 months interest free.

Just make sure to get a good student recommendation. I have an EXCELLENT one, if needed just contact me.

To answer callers question, low cost Dental service available at Ryan Nina clinic on 4th st and Ave C.

Cost is based on your income, it's pay according to a sliding scale.

Re: dental care. Many dental schools have clinics where students provide dental care at reduced rates (possibly free). The students are upper class level and closely supervised (this is much like getting care by residents in any teaching hospital). I believe that Bellevue has such a program.

FREE DENTAL CARE IDEA:
My aunt has used NYU Dental School to get free dental care.
It is students that do the work.
She has infact had extensive work done there and is happy with the people and the work done.

try the NYU dental school for cheap/free dental work. It might not be 100% free (I can't remember), but you can get work done by the dental students for a highly discounted rate. I haven't done it myself but I have a friend who graduated from the dental school and told me about this option.

NYU has clinic where dental students ( supervised) do the work. Takes more time though.
Check out Columbia too

Regarding the on-air query about dental services--take a look at the NYU Dental School, which offers low-cost dental care--

http://www.nyu.edu/dental/patientinfo/info.html

I had a sewing bee with my nieces to make handmade gifts for a craft fair to raise money for a Cat Rescue group. It was so great - the kids learned to sew, loved it, felt good about doing something for animals, and the crafts raised money for the rescue group! A win-win.

For the woman who needs dental work -- A friend of mine went to NYU and let dental students work on his teeth for a much reduced rate.

Isn't this the paradox of thrift?

I am a relief worker with Doctors without Borders and I am home for the holidays. The best non-store bought gift my wife and I could receive would be a roommate on January first to help keep our costs down.

Loft in Bushwick anyone?

I told my entire family that all I wanted was for them to vote for Obama.

Hi Ruth! I heard that NYU's dental school has a good very low cost program for people in need of discount dental care. Work is performed by students but supervised by faculty. I know it sounds scary but I have heard really really good things about it.

Good luck! We are thinking of you!

dental work:

contact the dental schools. the students give very low-cost, probably not free dental services.

i have had work done at the nyu dental school.

To Ruth:
Try the NYU Dental School, 24th Street and 1st ave.

NYU Dental School?

I'm a freelancer and instead of giving store bought gifts to my clients this year I plan to donate to various organizations in their names. I would spend the money anyway and this way those who really need help will get something instead.

For dental care--the Ryan Center has a great program--and also NYU dental school.

My family has been getting together without gifts for the last five years! It's great feeling to not feel that insane pressure. Try it!

Try a teaching college like the university of Stony Brook dental school. They have a clinic where the dental students work under the supervision of their profs.

I wish I could be appreciated by my now almost ex husband!! (and loved!)

I would want - above else - to be pardoned from my student loans! I very much value my education, but for heaven's sake, I work for a non-profit and my monthly student loan payments are driving my quality of life down further and further. At this rate, I will still be paying for my own college education when my children are in college. Save me, Santa!

I give a lot to charities & send a card listing them to those I know would appreciate that much more than a gift (step-mother loves this; mother needs a gift!) I would prefer to know money was spent that way than on any gift given to me.

I will add that you can contact your cable, internet provider and negotiate your rate. I brought mine down to under $30 a month for high speed internet. You can also do the same with your Mobile phone provider. These companies do not want to lose you.

Anything homemade by a friend or loved one is precious. Make baked goods, costume jewelry, toys, christmas tree ornaments or whatever you're good at. Or, as my mother always said, just make me a card.

Great way to save money on telephone service...as well as a nice inexpensive holiday gift.

I've been using something called MagicJack. Its a phone service I use thru my computer that costs $40 for the first year and $20 each year thereafter. THATS PER YEAR.

its a little box (the size of a pack of matches) one side goes into a USB port and the other to a standard phone.

I don't work for this company but I love it and I have been giving them to friends as gifts. ITs a great way to save money!

www.magicjack.com

Limit your coffee shoppe bought coffee to 1-2 cupsas opposed to 5-6 a day and u will save a ton of money...I did

Cancel your cable TV and use over the air digital television as your source. In Manhattan, I cannot receive any old-style analog service, but get over 25 programs using the convertor box and an indoor antenna.

Question 4

I'd love a cleaning person once a month!

Hi Eloise...haven't seen you in too long!

You should market these as custom voodoo dolls. ;)

Since being laid off, I would like to pursue graduate studies. So I would like to get financial aid which sounds like it will be very hard at this time.

Im an artist in Brooklyn, I am cutting up old sweaters and clothes and making dolls and stuffed animals for my friends and family. It creates a unique present, meaning you can cater each doll for the recipient. And as a bonus, its a "green" present, because they are made entirely from recycled materials. no carbon footprint. you could see one at:

www.eloisecorrdanch.com

I want for Christmas, that the wonderful law scholar Laurence Tribe will become a US Supreme Court Justice while Obama is President.

These lean times make me nervous, since many people who have never touched parchment paper suddenly decide to become bakers around the holidays. There are certain otherwise wonderful people I would never trust in a kitchen, period.

Just give me a bottle of 3 Buck Chuck and let's not go through the charade of me pretending to be excited and taking a bite.

The greatest gift my beloved husband could present to me would be a vow to be on time at least 90% of the time. He is now late for absolutely everything 100% of the time. If I added up the minutes spent waiting for him, I could add an extra year to my life.

I'll have to make sure he reads this!

I write an environmental blog for kids http://greenguideforkids.blogspot.com/, where I just posted a comprehensive guide to non-material gifts. Classes, lesson, tickets to event, and doing kind deeds are all great ways to save the environment and money.

I'm giving the gift of giving: donorschoose.org. The site lets you help fund public school projects, posted by actual teachers who lack actual funds to actually REACH the kids they teach...! (apologies for the coffee-induced poetry!)

A couple of things would be better than a store-bought gift:

The selfish: Make a few payments toward elminating my credit card debt or student loans

The not-so-selfish: donate in my name to a worthy cause (which, in my mind, involves dog rescue or the arts)

My husband and I stopped giving Christmas gifts a few years ago. It's amazing how much less stressful the holidays are once you've set free the notion of having to purchase needless items for the people in your lives!

I write an environmental blog for kids, The Green Guide for Kids, http://greenguideforkids.blogspot.com/, where I just finished up a comprehensive guide to non-material gifts. I listed over 60 different ideas to save money and the environment. Some of my favorite ideas are giving lessons such as a pottery class or ballet lessons or tickets to an a game or play. There are also many gifts listed that are free, they just require your time and love.

The greatest gift my beloved husband could present to me, would be a vow to be on time at least 90% of the time. He is now late for EVERYTHING

I asked my parents to make a contribution to the Panzi Hospital in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. They provide vital medical and counselling services to survivers of sexual violence in the DRC armed conflict.

I've told everyone in my family - with particular emphasis to my parents - that all I want for Christmas is help paying down my credit card debt. I, like many young Americans, find myself struggling to pay down my debt, despite card consolidation and moving to low interest cards. I'd love to be in the black over anything for Christmas.

A hug.