The (almost) Daily Wreck

Monday, December 10, 2018

Rec. #720: Women for Women International

What the organization does: Women for Women International is a nonprofit humanitarian organization that provides practical and moral support to women survivors of war.

Where to learn more:
https://www.womenforwomen.org/what-we-do
https://www.womenforwomen.org/about-us

How to help:
https://www.womenforwomen.org/get-involved
https://www.womenforwomen.org/ways-give

Rec. #719: Best Way Keep Up with NYC Comedy When You're Not in NYC

***BEST OF 2018***

The podcast Dr. Gameshow tends to feature a lot of hungry New York improvisers/comedians who aren't afraid to swim around in absurdity, which makes the show consistently snort-laughter funny. I've definitely discovered more careers to follow here than anywhere else.

(See Rec. #585)

Sunday, December 9, 2018

Rec. #718: Trans Lifeline

What the organization does: Trans Lifeline is a national trans-led organization dedicated to improving the quality of trans lives with direct service, material support, advocacy, and education.

Where to learn more: https://www.translifeline.org/about

How to help: https://www.translifeline.org/donate/holidaycampaign

Rec. #717: Best Replacement for the BBC's Great British Bake Off

***BEST OF 2018***

The Big Family Cooking Showdown has the charm.

On Netflix.

(See Rec. #411)

The version of The Great British Bake Off on Channel 4 retains the original's format and attention to detail (if not the presenters and one of the judges).

On Netflix.

Making It has the positivity.

On Hulu.

(See also Rec. #598)

[Note: I'd say it's the combination of all three that equals one original-flavor GBBO.]

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Rec. #716: National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA)

What the organization does: NDWA works for the respect, recognition, and inclusion in labor protections for domestic workers. The national alliance includes more than 60 affiliate organizations of nannies, housekeepers, and caregivers for the elderly in 36 cities and 17 states.

Where to learn more: https://www.domesticworkers.org/about-us

How to help: https://www.domesticworkers.org/support-us

Rec. #715: Best Insight Into the Food World for Non-Foodies

***BEST OF 2018***

As a food correspondent for The New Yorker, Helen Rosner has written about #MeToo in the restaurant industry, the politics of a spice retailer, hair dryer cooking techniques, the truth about MSG, the thematic use of food in various tv shows, and justice for iceberg lettuce.

As a prolific tweeter, Helen Rosner (@hels) is a clever, prickly, chatty, devoted dog owner who has no patience for bad faith arguments.

(See also Rec. #438 and List #66)

Friday, December 7, 2018

Rec. #714: Guardian U.S.

What the organization does: Guardian US is the New York City-based American online presence of the British print newspaper The Guardian. No paywalls, no ads.

Where to learn more:

https://www.theguardian.com/info/about-guardian-us

https://www.theguardian.com/about

How to help:

https://www.theguardian.com/membership/2018/nov/12/katharine-viner-guardian-million-reader-funding

https://support.theguardian.com/us/contribute

https://support.theguardian.com/us/subscribe

[The tote bag I got when I subscribed is really, really good. One of the best of the many that I have.]

Rec. #713: Best I-Guess-It's-Technically-SciFi

***BEST OF 2018***

Yes, Colossal technically was a 2017 release, but I saw it in 2018. So.

It's really, really good.

(See Rec. #448)

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Rec. #712: Amnesty International

What the organization does: Amnesty International fights abuses of human rights worldwide through research, advocacy, and campaigning.

Where to learn more:
https://www.amnesty.org/en/who-we-are/
https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/

How to help:
https://www.amnesty.org/en/donate-amnesty/
https://www.amnesty.org/en/get-involved/

Rec. #711: Best Continuing Comic Book Series

***BEST OF 2018***

John Allison's Giant Days is currently on issue #44 and still going strong -- #45 is out next week.

(See Rec. #524)

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Rec. #710: The Public Theater

What the organization does: The Public is a nonprofit theater "of, by, and for all people." It is artist-driven, radically inclusive, and fundamentally democratic.

(Not for nothing, it's also where Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton was born and the organization behind NYC's free Shakespeare in the Park.)

Where to learn more: https://publictheater.org/en/About/About-The-Public/

How to help: https://publictheater.org/en/Support/Donate-Now/Give-Now/

Rec. #709: Best Musical Comedy Duo

***BEST OF 2018***

Flo & Joan are a brilliant musical comedy sister act. (Those are not their real names.) Their most recent show, Alive on Stage, was one of the best things I saw at the Edinburgh Fringe this year.

You might be interested in checking out some of their work, such as "The 2016 Song."

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Rec. #708: The Partnership for Civil Justice Fund (PCJF)

What the organization does: PCJF is a public interest legal organization dedicated to the defense of human and civil rights secured by law, the protection of free speech and dissent, and the elimination of prejudice and discrimination.

Where to learn more: http://www.justiceonline.org/about

How to help: https://justiceonline.nationbuilder.com/donate

Rec. #707: Most Positive TV Twist

***BEST OF 2018***

For a short time, it looked like the thoughtful, clever, dumb-funny, progressive Brooklyn Nine-Nine was canceled.

Then it wasn't!

(See Rec. #537)

Monday, December 3, 2018

Rec. #706: We Need Diverse Books (WNDB)

What the organization does: WNDB advocates essential changes in the publishing industry to produce and promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people.

Where to learn more: https://diversebooks.org/about-wndb/

How to help:

https://diversebooks.org/fundraising/

https://diversebooks.org/volunteering-with-wndb/

Rec. #705: Best Advice on the Internet

***BEST OF 2018***

Captain Awkward answers reader questions intelligently and compassionately. She is particularly stellar at providing sample scripts for difficult conversations.

(see Rec. #487)

Sunday, December 2, 2018

Rec. #704: Midwest Access Coalition (MAC)

What the organization does: Provides accommodation and support to those who travel to, from, or within the Midwest to access a safe, legal abortion when prohibitive legislation limits access closer to home.

Where to learn more: https://midwestaccesscoalition.org/how-it-works.html

How to help:

https://midwestaccesscoalition.org/donate.html

https://midwestaccesscoalition.org/volunteer.html