A Bird’s Eye View: August 21, 2009

When Nature Evokes Art

There are moments in birding when the landscape or the birds evoke images of art. During one such moment, long blank seconds passed followed by a moment of clarity when, in my mind’s eye, a photograph replaced nature. Another such moment involving a painting evolved like a mystery. A third one is still evolving.

Over 60…And Getting Younger: August 21, 2009

The Goodbye Party

Rumor has come to me that the goodbye party is a thing of the past. Is it the falling of the economy that caused this ugly phenomenon? Was it that people in offices all over the USA were getting tired of picking out a gift and a restaurant every other week?

BBB: Guidance to Avoid Scammers in Federal Cash for Clunkers Program

In late June, President Obama signed into law the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) or Cash for Clunkers program. CARS provides a rebate for consumers who trade in qualifying gas guzzlers for more energy-efficient cars. Unfortunately, even before the program began, scammers were attempting to ply their trade; and Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers the following guidance for car shoppers on how to participate in the program and avoid getting scammed. Car shoppers burned through the $1 billion that was initially set aside for the program and the federal government had to quickly appropriate an additional $2 billion to keep the program going.

Over 60…And Getting Younger: Augusut 14, 2009

The Old Days

I saw two films in the last week that somehow brought me back to the old, pre-computer, pre-iPod, pre-blogging and much simpler times.

The first film was Yoo Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg. The Goldbergs was first a radio show and then a television show that took America into the Bronx with a family called the Goldbergs. The brilliant Gertrude Berg leaned out her Bronx apartment window and solved the nation’s insecurities. Raising her two children Rosalie and Sammy, she influenced women all over America in proper child-rearing. Her easy manner while uttering Jewish malapropisms was laugh-provoking with a definite point to be understood. She also sold Sanka coffee as she did her believable ads while at the window.

Over 60…And Getting Younger: August 7, 2009

Remembered Meals

As I grow older, I am occasionally snapped back by my youthful memories. As a boy growing up in the East Bronx, my experiences were limited. My apartment house, my block, my school and my friends were probably my total world. Today, I can look back and try to remember certain highlights that led to my present life.

From the Desk of Legislator Dave Mejias

Keeping Kids Safe on the Internet

This summer I sponsored and passed legislation in Nassau County that protects children on the Internet by banning all convicted sex offenders from social networking and Internet dating websites. Working closely with nationally renowned advocacy groups Parents For Megan’s Law & the Coalition Against Child Abuse and Neglect we were able to pass this important legislation to provide a safer environment for our children to surf the Internet.

Over 60…And Getting Younger: July 31, 2009

Returns

I have always been annoyed and uncomfortable when a fellow diner makes a “fuss” at a restaurant. I sink a bit lower in my chair and wait for the incident to be settled and finally be resolved.

Usually I am not the aggrieved party and I am only an impatient observer. Last weekend I was the culprit. Let me present my case.

Letter: Bottle vs. Tap

In light of the recent discussions surrounding bottled vs. tap water, the Plainview Water District Commissioners thought it would be beneficial to highlight some of the facts that were reported on during the July 9 airing of ABC’s Good Morning America.

According to the report, bottled water manufacturers are not required to disclose where they get their water from, how it is purified or whether it is treated at all. And yet with all of this uncertainty, Americans spend about $16 billion a year on bottled water.

Letter: Writing in Protest

I write to protest the atavistic treatment meted out to the 13 young women arrested at a Khartoum café for wearing trousers, 10 of whom were publicly flogged and fined.

The Republic of Sudan will never be a great nation so long as such bizarre, demeaning and humiliating punishments are imposed in purported courts of law. If, however, the objective is to perfect a national image that is rife with intolerance, misogyny, cruelty and masochism, then such protocol has attained its goal.

I ask that you refer this letter to President al-Bashir and Dr. al-Turabi.

Thank you for your consideration respecting this matter.

Over 60…And Getting Younger: July 24, 2009

A Summer Weekend

Who says you have to leave Long Island to have a great time in the summer? We have everything right here!

On Friday night we had reservations at Peppercorns Restaurant on East Marie Street in Hicksville with Paul and Jerilye Streich. The four of us were placed at a corner table, and it was cozy and easy to have a conversation. The service was gracious and the food was delicious.