Phil-osophically Speaking - August 6, 2010

Remembering the Great Heat Wave of 1896

Last weekend, relief finally arrived with more balmy temperatures giving us respite from the merciless heat. It was the second hottest July on record and I’m happy to say that, with the ushering in of August, the weather is something we can, once again, enjoy rather then endure. The month of August, however, wasn’t so pleasant 114 years ago as New York was cooked by the most brutal and sensational heat wave in its history.

Around the Town - July 30, 2010

August Summer Concerts

Every summer, the Town of Hempstead’s Summer Concert Series, hosted by the Department of Parks and Recreation, brings talented musicians to perform at the town’s neighborhood parks. Our lineup this year features an exciting range of musical genres, from the smooth sounds of Sinatra and classic rock to the Doo-Wop hits of the 1960s and the hip-swinging hits of Elvis.

Mayor’s Message - July 23, 2010

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer.

Phil-osophically Speaking - July 23, 2010

The Upside of Anger

Anger — it’s one of the seven deadly sins. No emotion is more destructive than unrelenting and undying anger. It ruins relationships and robs the soul of peace. A recent article by Eric Felton on Mel Gibson’s mental meltdown warned that only Zeus could blow a gasket without looking ridiculous.

Around the Town - July 16, 2010

July Summer Concerts

Every summer, the Town of Hempstead’s Summer Concert Series, hosted by the Department of Parks and Recreation, brings talented musicians to perform at the town’s neighborhood parks. Our lineup this year features an exciting range of musical genres, from rock music and the sounds of the Caribbean to the swinging hits of the 1930s and ’70s disco classics. 

Phil-osophically Speaking - July 16, 2010

Wishing the Boy Scouts of America a Happy 100th Birthday

Trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent is, of course, the Boy Scouts Code of Honor. Not a small thing to aspire to, for any number of reasons, not least of which every Boy Scout I knew could tie a great knot — a useful thing to know, especially for someone like me who has trouble knotting my shoelaces properly.

Around the Town - July 9, 2010

Children’s Summer Festival

With the arrival of the warm summer months comes the opportunity for parents to spend more time having fun with their kids. One great way to spend quality time as a family is by attending one of the town’s Children’s Summer Festival shows together. 

Phil-osophically Speaking - July 7, 2010

America’s Future Can Still Be Brighter Than Its Glorious Past

It is the morning of July 4, 2010, America’s 234th birthday. As a nation we’ve been around for a while although not nearly as long as many European and Asian countries. In 1987 Paul Kennedy, a Yale history professor, published his influential book, The Rise and Fall of Great Powers in which he saw parallels between America and the Roman and British empires in their twilight.

Phil-osophically Speaking - July 2, 2010

The Majesty of Lady Liberty

A cold and steady rain fell on the afternoon of Oct. 28, 1886, but it didn’t deter tens of thousands of excited spectators from huddling around the southern tip of Manhattan to see the great unveiling. At the given signal the veil began to slowly drop from the massive statue, 151 feet tall (not including the still-to-be-built pedestal) as “Lady Liberty” triumphantly overlooked the great New York Harbor.

Letter: Dear Floral Park Community

On Sunday, March 28, 2010, I received several phone calls at home asking me if it were true, that I was not going to be commissioner anymore. Puzzled, I asked about the origin of these rumors. Apparently, the day before, at the Reliance Engine Company’s 100th Anniversary Celebration, the village board told a number of people that I was not going to be re-appointed as commissioner on April 5. I am thankful for having so many concerned friends who cared enough to contact me. I only wish the village board had been professional enough to discuss this matter with me before letting it out to the public.