Around The Town With Lou: November 16, 2012

Editor’s Note: Lou Sanders, who has his journalism degree from NYU, and his wife, Grace, founded the Mineola American in 1952, giving the village its first successful newspaper. Lou and Grace have lived in Mineola for 59 years, and his popular column is a signature feature of this paper.

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President Obama has been re-elected and I hope everybody, Republicans and Democrats, will support him in the struggles ahead. I also congratulate our two Mineola officeholders, State Senator Jack Martins and from Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy. I get a kick out of many people running for offices that say, “I’m not a politician, but my opponent, he is, or my opponent, she favors special interest but I don’t.” I guess the worst thing you can be is a politician.

Around the Town with Lou: November 12, 2012

Editor’s Note: Lou Sanders, who has his journalism degree from NYU, and his wife, Grace, founded the Mineola American in 1952, giving the village its first successful newspaper. Lou and Grace have lived in Mineola for 59 years, and his popular column is a signature feature of this paper.

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I have been crazy about hockey since I was a little kid following the long forgotten New York Americans. They played in the NHL from 1925 to 1942. They never won anything but they were my guys. In fact, I named this newspaper after them. The news that the Islanders were moving to the Barclay Center in Brooklyn hit me hard. I had followed the Isles during their 40 years at the Nassau Coliseum. I remember when they were the champs from 1980 to 1983 and you couldn’t get a ticket and the last couple of years you could hardly give them away. When Tom Suozzi, a Democrat, was county executive, he attempted to work with Islanders owner, Charles Wang, to build a new coliseum. The Republicans were against it. When the Republican County Executive Ed Mangano was working with Wang for a new building, the Democrats were, of course, opposed. Later, we had that referendum; the voters defeated the proposed bond. Twenty-nine years without a cup saw attendance drop. Unless the Isles were playing the Rangers, they seldom sold out games. I went to lots of games and the rest I watched on MSG. I will sorely miss the Isles, but at least they are still technically on the island and will thus keep their name.

Editorial: It Doesn’t End, Does It?

It took me 45 minutes to get home from work on Wednesday, Nov. 7 when Athena hit Long Island, which is an eternity because I live close. People were screaming at each other, horns were blaring throughout Old Country Road and I actually had to get out of my car and plead with a driver to let me over so I could make a right turn.

To get a head start on the commute the next morning, I shoveled my car, three other cars, my landlord’s path (he’s 90) and the steps leading up to my dwelling. Hand to God.

Editorial: The Storm Of The Century? You Tell Me

Right before I lost power on Monday Oct. 29 during Hurricane Sandy at 8:45 p.m., Stephen King’s Storm of the Century was on television…I’m not kidding.

Was it an eerie coincidence or intentional? I think the former, because the TV listing that comes with the Sunday’s Daily News was printed way before the storm hit and there it was listed in the guide.

From The Publisher

Hurricane Sandy has taken a toll on the lives of many in the areas that Anton Community Newspapers serves and well beyond. Our heartfelt wis    hes go out to all, hoping that life returns to normal, or somewhere close to that, for residents as soon as possible. Community spirit - neighbors helping neighbors - has been evident in so many situations. For those who need additional services, below is a list of contacts that we hope will be helpful.

- Angela Susan Anton
Anton Community Newspapers

Editorial: Check Out The Shopping Spree

Have an itch to shop? Look no further than the Mineola High School PTSA Mustang Fall Shopping Spree on Friday, Nov. 2 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria with an assortment of vendors and raffles. This event reminds me of the book fairs with vendors and raffles that I attended while going to Covert Avenue School in Elmont.

Editorial: I’ve Been There Before

I was there as a college student, writing for Nassau News and not as polished in the political landscape. I knew the players, but was a little in over my head. In 2008, while covering the presidential debate at Hofstra University, the issues were unclear and the platforms were uneven to my knowledge. This time around, I was ready.

Covering the debate last week, this time at Anton Community Newspapers, I researched, clicked, scrolled, flipped pages and the like, leading up to Oct. 16. Going in, I knew what had to be done.

Around the Town with Lou: October 23, 2012

Editor’s Note: Lou Sanders, who has his journalism degree from NYU, and his wife, Grace, founded the Mineola American in 1952, giving the village its first successful newspaper. Lou and Grace have lived in Mineola for 58 years, and his popular column is a signature feature of this paper.

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Three thousand people came to the Mineola Chamber of Commerce downtown street fair. We met Judy Flynn, Annabelle Burkitt, Edith Henrichs, Russ Miller, Christine Healy, Dr. Gary Levine, Dr. Lydia Valderrama, Greg Nold, Bill Greene, Chamber President, Elizabeth Rauert, Officer Nick Mosesso, Bernardette Vaskas, Frank Cassano, Gary and Sandy Pussey, Maddy Maffetore, Peter Henrichs, George Echeverria, Rev. Tomaz Gomide, Connie and Bill Altvater, Lorelle D’Elig, Paula Jultan, Patty Nicoll, Teresa Corrigan, Cathy Toritto, Helmet Henrichs, Arlindo Cunha, Al Freehill, Larry Werther, Lucy Gaglione, Betty Vazquez, Tony Lubrano, Bill Cassidy, Allen Sanklovich, Bob Somerville, Carol Harrigan, Cherokee, Jan and Ron Baker, Jack and Michael Fernandes, Officer Rob Connolly, Donny Golden, Virginia Clark, Delanie and Raegan Fekert, Colleen Gaugham, Noel Brennan and Croi Spillane, Clara Lennon, Cathy Chaillql Ashley Harten, Maureen and Jeff Clark, Ray Sikorski and Kathleen Holliday.

Editorial: Get Well John

At last weeks Mineola Village Board of Trustees meeting, Mayor Scott Strauss said “Mr. Mineola,” John DaVanzo was in the hospital and asked that you keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Heed the advice and do so. DaVanzo has been a fixture in the community and has always given without asking for anything in return.

Not So Humble Opinion: October 16, 2012

Privileged

At times, my intuition is way ahead of my brain. I’d like to think that I arrive at a lot of my opinions through logical reasoning, but often, I feel like something is wrong long before I can articulate why it’s wrong. This was the case with the word “privilege” as used in the phrases “white privilege,” “male privilege,” and the especially reviled “white male privilege.” Something about the way these terms are bandied about bothered me, but I couldn’t explain why until recently.

It’s not that I have any doubt that privilege exists; I’ve certainly seen it in action. Even if you’re not particularly devoted to the cause of achieving greater social justice, it’s not difficult to see that being white and male confer some advantages in our culture. So if I admit privilege exists, why does the term make me wince in annoyance?