Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Party With Marty & Iris Receives 2009 Best of Brooklyn Award

U.S. Commerce Association's Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

WASHINGTON D.C., June 8, 2009 -- Party With Marty & Iris has been selected for the 2009 Best of Brooklyn Award in the Party Planning Service category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association

CONTACT:
U.S. Commerce Association
Email: PublicRelations@us-ca.org
URL: http://www.us-ca.org

-----Original Message-----
From: Board of Review [mailto:info@uscommerceassoc.net]
Sent: Mon 7/27/2009 4:16 AM
To: Party With Marty Info
Subject: Party With Marty & Iris Receives 2009 Best of Brooklyn Award

I am pleased to announce that Party With Marty & Iris has been selected for the 2009 Best of Brooklyn Award in the Party Planning Service category by the US Commerce Association.

In recognition of your achievement, a 2009 Best of Brooklyn Award has been designed for display at your place of business. You may arrange to have your award sent directly to Party With Marty & Iris by following the simple steps on the 2009 Best of Brooklyn Award order form. Simply copy and paste this link into your browser to receive your award:
https://www.us-ca.org/AZS-5K9-X7

Each year, the US Commerce Association (USCA) identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Also, a copy of the press release publicizing the selection of Party With Marty & Iris has been posted on our website . The USCA hereby grants Party With Marty & Iris a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, distribute, and display this press release in any media formats and through any media channels.

An Award Code has been assigned to your company that can be used on our website for quick access to your award information and press release.

Your Award Code is: ZS-5K9-X7

Sincerely,

Ashley Carter
Selection Committee Chair
US Commerce Association

Marty Eskow

IT'S A LOST CLAUSE

It's the nightmare before Christmas for New York City Santas. Old St. Nicks are sweating out fewer gigs and lower pay as Wall Street grinches cancel holiday parties, retailers downsize Christmas scenes, department stores replace freelance elves with their own employees, and charities slash sidewalk solicitations. "This year I'll...

Sunday, November 23, 2008
Last Update: 08:50 PM EST

IT'S A LOST CLAUSE

NO ROOM AT MALL FOR POOR SANTA

By SUSANNAH CAHALAN, KATHIANNE BONIELLO and REBECCA ROSENBERG

Ken Romo, 57

Last updated: 1:10 am
November 23, 2008
Posted: 12:45 am
November 23, 2008

It's the nightmare before Christmas for New York City Santas.

Old St. Nicks are sweating out fewer gigs and lower pay as Wall Street grinches cancel holiday parties, retailers downsize Christmas scenes, department stores replace freelance elves with their own employees, and charities slash sidewalk solicitations.

"This year I'll make about 90 percent less" than last year, said Lower East Side retiree Dick Shea, 69, who has donned his red suit and maintained his authentic white beard for the last 17 years.

Gigs he counted on at Columbus Circle, Manhattan Mall and FAO Schwarz have fallen through, leaving him with less lucrative appearances at bars and parties.

He's expecting to earn around $3,000 this year, down from $30,000 two years ago - barely keeping up with cleaning and replacement costs for his $900 costume.

"It diminishes my 'ho, ho, hos,' " he said.

Upper West Side Santa Ken Romo, 57, lost a regular gig at Tavern on the Green, where he's worked for more than 10 years. Former employers Fortunoff and Saks Fifth Avenue said they'd take him back only if he took a pay cut from $125 an hour to $50.

Glen Charlow, a 49-year old Jersey City resident, has not booked a single gig. By this time last year, he had eight.

"It's a big struggle for me to pay my rent," said Charlow, a graphic designer.

Another Kris Kringle lookalike, Tom Zimecki, 56, of Edgewater, NJ, says business is down 30 percent from last year, with some companies even trying to barter free meals and hotel stays instead of paying cash.

Santas who appear at corporate parties are out of work this year with American Express, Viacom, ABC, Barclays and Morgan Stanley all reportedly canceling holiday parties.

This year, Wal-Mart amended its company-wide policy of having a Santa in every store - instead leaving the decision to each local manager. Fortunoff, which last year had Santas working seven days a week from Nov. 1 to Dec. 25, will start them this year on Nov. 26 for weekends only.

Volunteers of America, a national nonprofit that feeds and shelters homeless people, will break a 106-year-old tradition by not stationing Santas on city sidewalks to solicit donations in their trademark chimney boxes.

Last year the nonprofit hired 11 recovering alcoholics, paying them more than the $6.55-an-hour minimum wage, plus a free meal.

Walt Frasier, a 36-year-old Manhattan actor who typically makes enough money playing Santa Claus to pay four months rent, has lost big clients, including the advertising firm Wieden+Kennedy, Morgan Stanley and American Express.

Frasier booked 30 gigs last year - compared with four this year.

"Where I would see a $10,000 gross, we're looking at $3,000," he said.

Marty Eskow of Sheepshead Bay - who charges $225 per hour for an appearance with "Mrs. Claus," his wife - has seen his bookings plummet from 20 last year to seven this year.

He said the first thing people ask when they call Santa this year is, "How much?"

Additonal reporting by Stefanie Cohen

scahalan@nypost.com

Ken Romo, 57

* Been a Santa for 15 years; rest of the year he's a dancer

* Worked 12 gigs as a Santa at Saks, Fortunoff and Tavern on the Green last year and made about $10,000

* This year he only has four gigs, and clients want to cut his fee in half.

Tom Zimecki, 56

* Been a Santa for nine years - because he looks like St. Nick

* Usually works Fortunoff and American Express parties and private Manhattan parties with 50 gigs a season

* This year he's slashed prices - including for pictures with Santa - but business is still down 30 percent

* "Some stores are bartering."

Dick Shea, 69

* Been a Santa for 17 years; rest of the year he's retired

* Usually works for the Parks Department at Columbus Circle, FAO Schwarz, Pace University and local bars.

* This year everyone but Pace and three local bars canceled. "This year I'll make about 90 percent less."

Visit with Marty & Iris at UNO'S Family Night Out
107-16 70th Rd, Flushing, NY‎ 11375
(718) 793-6700‎, every Thursday Evening from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Fabulous Fun Face Painting, Balloon Sculptures & Magic!

Join Our Halloween Party on the Plaza!

Come in Costume and Get on National TV!

IT'S A LOST CLAUSE

IT'S A LOST CLAUSE

NO ROOM AT MALL FOR POOR SANTA

By SUSANNAH CAHALAN, KATHIANNE BONIELLO and REBECCA ROSENBERG