While most avoided the winter elements this weekend, the Polar Bear Club headed to the beach. NY1 reports that the group took an icy cold dip in the Atlantic on Sunday morning, just after the city was pummeled with a ton of snow. From November through April they're out there every Sunday, also raising money for New York Cares and Camp Sunshine. Polar Bear Club VP Tony Nastro said, "There's an energy that comes from the people that do this, that just makes you feel you're in the right place, you're doing the right thing." They'll be out there again soon for their annual New Year's Day plunge. more ›

The Polar Bears are trying to save the zoos in their own special way, with what they are calling a Naked Cruise (provided by Circle Line). Proceeds will go to the Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium, who are currently facing massive budget cutbacks, so get out that swimsuit! Yes, apparently by "naked" they mean "wear a swimsuit," but unless your one-piece is made of fauxlar bear fur, it isn't going to keep you warm on a chilly February morning. Still willing to bare it all for a good cause? Save the date, the cruise departs on on a three one hour tour on February 28th, shoving off from Pier 83 and heading to the Statue of Liberty. More details on the Polar Bear website, including this helpful cheat: "When polar bears passengers need a break from the cold, they can bundle up inside the vessel and receive a complimentary cup of hot chocolate." And by all means, tag your photos on Flickr with "Gothamist"! more ›

Many hearty souls joined the Welcome to Coney Island Polar Bear Club for the annual New Year's Day dip into the Atlantic. Lucky for us, some Gothamist readers were on the scene and have taken some great photographs. Here are a few. more ›

Their day in the sun ocean is just around the corner, but the Polar Bear Club of Coney Island may be in too deep with one donation they recently accepted. The Brooklyn Paper reports that in spite of the club "growling in the anti-Thor procession during the Mermaid Parade," the Polar Bears have "made peace" with Thor. more ›

It's opening day on Coney Island's boardwalk and there's still time to hop on a D,F,N, or Q train to Stillwell Avenue before things get started. 11 a.m. marks the Blessing of the Rides at Deno's Wonder Wheel with a ribbon cutting and live music. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz will break the ceremonial egg cream at 11:30 a.m. to open the rides and the first 100 people on the Cyclone get to ride free. The Coney Island Polar Bears will serve as a chorus at 2:30 p.m. in a live performance of an original piece of music titled "Save Coney Island." Theater lovers may want to drop by the Coney Island Museum at 5 p.m. for an adaptation of Herman Melville's "The Confidence Man" (tickets $10). And 12th St. and Surf Ave. is the place to be at 6 p.m. for the 2nd Annual Band Organ Rally. Full details are available at ConeyIsland.com. more ›

After a man suffered fatal injuries during this New Year's swim, the Coney Island Polar Bear Club has announced it will not be accepting new members. Further, the membership of Bears-in-training (the "Cubs") will be frozen. Polar Bear club president Louie Scarella explained to the Daily News, "I closed the membership just to cut down the number of people in the water. It has broken my heart and the heart of the board to do this" more ›

And by polar bears, we mean the human Coney Island Polar Bear Club, of course! The intrepid Homo sapiens will be taking their New Year's dip today at 1PM. more ›

More Central Park Zoo events can be found here. more ›

Normally we run op-ed pieces on Sunday, but this one is about Earth Day, which is today! It was written by Molly Dobkin, the twin-sister of the publisher. Even though they are twins and share a telepathic bond, the opinions expressed in it belong only to her. more ›

http://www.polarbearclub.org/">Coney Island Polar Bears had their first swim this past weekend.
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