A Bird’s Eye View: December 8, 2011

The oystercatcher is a 17.5-inch bird whose signature feature is a large, thick red bill. Its head is black as is the breast, which looks like a bib next to the white belly. The back is dark brown and the legs are a pale pink. Using its prominent bill with a rapid motion, the bird probes wet sand for shells and adeptly removes the meat. Until last winter I’d only seen oystercatchers a few times and at a distance.

Up Close

Last March on a Florida beach, to my surprise, at the edge of a large group of gulls, terns and skimmers is an oystercatcher. Looking desultory, the bird lifts off over the Gulf flashing a bold white wing design. Based on past experience, I incorrectly assume that is the last I’ll see of it. A few mornings later an oystercatcher is feeding at the water’s edge. It has a shell in its bill from which it seems to be extracting the insides. This sturdy avian stands in the water with head submerged as incoming waves wash over it. Soaked, the head looks even blacker and some of the feathers standing up give it a touch of wildness. In comparison, smaller sanderlings feeding nearby, chase retreating waves and run from incoming ones. Lean willets, also smaller, go into the water but aren’t as heavy duty, braving the waves as this guy. This is interesting comparative birding.

Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: December 1, 2011

‘The Artist’: Black and White

We moderns who were recently captured by the Internet Revolution should easily empathize with the 1927 entrance of The Jazz Singer with Al Jolson, which led to Hollywood discarding silent films. Within a decade, the production of black and white, no-speech films ceased. The Artist is a story of the “silents.”

Many former film stars could not make the “talkies” that were being produced. The new silent film The Artist deals with this phenomenon. George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is a superstar in silent movies. He is a singing, dancing actor with Gene Kelly and Douglas Fairbanks in mind. As he refuses role after role, his star descends and he is well on the way to oblivion.

Supervisor Venditto: Think Before You Drink This Holiday

Vehicular crashes that result from drinking and driving under the influence of alcohol are entirely preventable, but despite major ad campaigns warning about the perils of drinking and driving, driving while intoxicated continues to be a major problem in this country. Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto issued his annual appeal for residents to stop and think before they drink and then drive this holiday season.

“Unfortunately, the round of celebrations with family and friends, which are so much a part of the holidays, sometimes leads party-goers to overindulge in alcohol,” Venditto said. “While many people have a heightened awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving, with Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s just around the corner, a timely reminder about the responsibilities of the party-goer, as well as the party-giver, might just make someone think twice.

Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: November 23, 2011

On The Road

While traveling, I have been surprised at the variety of experiences that have opened for Lorraine and me.

Last Saturday evening, after a babysitting job, we arrived at Penn Station at 9:48 p.m. We scooted to take the 9:51 p.m. to Hicksville on the LIRR. We caught the only seats available, a foursome – two seats facing forward, and two seats riding backwards. Not my favorite seats, but when you just make the train, you do not have your pick of seating.

From the Desk of The Nassau County Executive: November 23, 2011

Combining Quality Bus Service With Fiscal Responsibility

Last spring, when the MTA threatened to eliminate more than half of the Long Island Bus routes, lay off hundreds of employees and hit our taxpayers with another $26 million in subsidy payments – I joined thousands of outraged taxpayers in saying, “Enough is enough!”

On January 1, 2012, Nassau County will make history when we take control of our own buses, turning Long Island Bus into the NICE Bus - Nassau Inter-County Express. This marks a new era of efficient bus service for riders and lower costs for taxpayers. Residents will save $32.4 million annually.

Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: November 17, 2011

Versus!

I was attending a lecture by Leon Uris at the 92nd Street YMHA years ago when he startled me. Uris, the author, was complaining that Otto Preminger, the director of the highly praised film Exodus, had ruined his image of the book.

I was completely shocked because I truly enjoyed the renowned movie with Paul Newman, Sal Mineo and Eva Marie Saint. Uris said that it did not represent his concept of what he was thinking when he penned the momentous novel.

From Long Island Wins: November 17, 2011

One Set of Facts, One Unavoidable Conclusion

In any debate, it’s said, each party is entitled to its own opinion. But not its own set of facts.

That’s why it’s so exciting that there’s been yet another important step in establishing a single set of facts about the contributions of immigrants to Long Island.

The Fiscal Policy Institute is out with a new study titled New Americans on Long Island, a Vital Sixth of the Economy. And while the whole thing is worth reading – it’s posted on the Long Island Wins website - we’ll skip to the good parts: the report finds that immigrants make up 16 percent of Long Island’s population and 17 percent of its economic output.

Over 60 ... And Getting Younger

The Paths Not Taken

When I was a teenager I was positive that I would someday be a writer in Hollywood. I fantasized that I would write scripts that would be Oscar-nominees that the world would view on the silver screen. It never quite happened.

I went to City College of New York and in my coursework I did very well in German Studies. When I told my mother I intended to become a teacher of German, she was shocked. Her immediate answer was “No”, and that took care of that career.

From the desk of The Nassau County Executive: November 9, 2011

The 2012 Budget

On Sunday, October 30th, the Nassau County Legislature approved my budget for 2012 that includes the tough medicine needed to help our County to recover from decades of poor fiscal policies. Most importantly, the budget represents an opportunity to work cooperatively to achieve success for our residents. The budget, developed in consultation with NIFA, sets forth a comprehensive plan that makes Nassau County fiscally stronger each year over the next four years.

Despite the fact that the Democrat Minority Conference failed to support the budget, for a second consecutive year, I have been able to provide a budget that addresses Nassau’s issues without raising property taxes and I implore them to join me in working together to successfully implement the enacted solutions.

Over 60 ... And Getting Younger: November 3, 2011

What Is Really, Truly, Important?

I have just returned from a memorial celebration for my niece, Marla Silver. Marla died at age 48 after a yearlong bout with esophageal cancer. It was a tough fight, but at the end, the cancer was the victor.

The memorial celebration was held on Oct. 29 at the London Grove Friends Meeting House in Pennsylvania. I had never been to a Quaker Meeting House before. The benches were of unvarnished wood, but the service was direct and sincere. Actually, Marla herself planned the entire program, although she did not plan the weather: huge snowflakes covered the trees and the ground.