A Bird’s Eye View: October 16, 2009

Migrating Hawks Ride the Wind

The sun is up a short while, illuminating the dark brown coat of a grazing whitetail deer that turns to look at three humans coming onto Fire Island. Grasses are shimmering in a stiff breeze that will blow all day across this strip of land with a bay on one side and the ocean on the other. I’m with a small group of observers who will be on a platform watching and recording migrating raptors all day.

Over 60…And Getting Younger: October 9, 2009

Stanley Greenberg may be your favorite columnist, but he’s our father and in honor of his 75th birthday we are giving him the week off. Don’t worry, he’ll be back next week with another installment of “Over 60 and Getting Younger.” In the meantime, allow us to introduce you to the Stanley Greenberg you may not know…the Joe Montana of Marshall Lane.

Letter: Thanks to the Library And Fire Department

The Plainview Water District would like to thank the Plainview-Old Bethpage Library and the Plainview Fire Department for their consideration and for making accommodations while the district’s administration building is being renovated.

“It’s great how all intermunicipal authorities work together to benefit our community,” said Plainview Water District Chairman Kevin Langberg.

The Plainview Water District used the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library for its board meetings during the month of September and October 27, and will use the Plainview Fire Department during the month of October.

Plainview Water District
Board of Commissioners

 

From the Desk of Senator Kemp Hannon: October 2, 2009

Health Fair in Your Backyard

Senator Kemp Hannon is sponsoring his eighth annual Health Fair and Awareness Day on Thursday, Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the David S. Mack Sports Complex at Hofstra University in Uniondale on the north side of campus.

From the Desk of Senator Kemp Hannon: September 25, 2009

Hannon: We Hope For The Best, But We Need to Be Prepared

Following the 8th anniversary of the tragic 9/11 attacks, Senator Kemp Hannon encourages Long Islanders to review important terrorism safety precautions.

“We hope for the best, but we need to be prepared for the worst,” Senator Hannon said. “The grievous September 11th attacks have demonstrated the crucial importance of planning ahead for disasters and being informed.”

Over 60…And Getting Younger: September 25, 2009

Propaganda!

What do you know about propaganda? I have always been intrigued by this question.

Propaganda is not necessarily a lie, but it does have by definition an element of deception. A propagandist seeks to change the way people understand an issue for the purpose of changing their actions in a way that is beneficial to the propagandist. He wants change through trickery instead of information.

Over 60…And Getting Younger: September 18

Memory Pro and Con

I have always had a prodigious memory!

Sometimes it has been a boon and occasionally it has caused me embarrassment. I would never have been able to write this column “Over 60 and Getting Younger” for over 11 years without the aid of a huge recollection factor.

In dental school one of the earliest courses was human anatomy. The tests were called practicums and certan muscles and blood vessels were selected as questions on the cadavers. Because of my gift I could recall pictures in my mind. I did well in anatomy. I wish memory of pictures and facts could have helped me more in biochemistry, physiology and microbiology.

Leter: A Letter to the Plainview Community

I visited Plainview Jewish Center for the first time last February. I was so impressed with the warmth of the people I met that I brought my wife and family back in April. Not only were we welcomed enthusiastically by everyone we met, but we also experienced firsthand the strong commitment of Plainview Jewish Center’s membership to the synagogue and the Jewish people. We came away convinced that Plainview Jewish Center was the perfect choice for our family.

Over 60…And Getting Younger: September 11, 2009

The Enemies List

The United States of America has more than its share of detractors. They claim that our capitalistic form of government benefits only the rich. They state that we are mercenary, money-oriented, and only the rich get true justice. They also claim that we stick our collective noses into the world’s business.

Let us examine these rash statements.

On Dec. 7, 1941, our naval base at Pearl Harbor was bombed by Japanese planes. The USS Arizona was sunk with over 100 sailors still on board. We declared war on Japan. Was that unreasonable?

A Bird’s Eye View: September 11, 2009

“Duckies” Set for Championship Run

Nassau County’s entry in the All-Avian Football League (the AAFL), the Not So Mighty Ducks, affectionately known as the “Duckies,” is set for a run at the league’s championship this season. While high flying offenses put fans in the stands, rock ribbed defenses win titles. The Ducks have spent the off-season revamping their defense whose first priority is to stop the run. The passing game, while always dangerous, is secondary because in northeastern winter’s cold, balls are sometimes dropped by frozen feathered “fingers.” Here position by position is the unit that hopes to compete in the league’s championship game, the Feather Bowl, to be played this year at Stillwell Woods in Syosset.

Left End Stopping the run starts with the mute swan who may not say much, but is 60-inches in length with a hose-like neck. The bird at this position has to get past an offensive lineman and hit the runner in the backfield. He’ll cause havoc and fumbles just by stretching out that neck.