Over 60…And Getting Younger: September 22, 2011

Inner Thoughts

As I look at the last few tomatoes and impatiens struggling against the cool weather I try to compare it to a human existence. In my column I try not to be overly sentimental, but these thoughts have been intruding on my consciousness more and more.

My tennis game, which I was proud of five years ago, is one of the victims. My A-minus status has descended into C-plus or B-minus. Also, I need more sleep to get through the day. My pace of living has also slowed a bit. I am not used to being lethargic. I was always a firecracker, springing to the task at hand.

Hofstra Receives $20M Donation; Names Law School for Maurice A. Deane

Hofstra University will name its law school the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University to honor a distinguished alumnus with a unique, 30-year commitment to Hofstra that was first forged when he embarked on a law degree after a successful career as a business executive.

A former member and Chair of the University Board of Trustees, Deane’s story is defined by distinction in both business and in academics. During his 26-year career with Endo Laboratories, he helped build the firm into one of the largest privately-held pharmaceutical companies in the nation and facilitated its eventual sale to DuPont. After the sale, Deane was named President of the company, which operated as an independent subsidiary, until his retirement eight years later. He continued to serve on Endo’s Board of Directors for several years after his retirement.

Over 60...And Getting Younger: September 15, 2011

What a Racket!

New York City held its share of the Tennis Grand Slams in late August. It came after the Melbourne, Australia, Paris, France, and London, England tournaments. New York’s share came during the September 11, 2001 memorial services. The tournament’s presence confirms NYC as one of the major urban centers of the world.

Tennis players from around the planet came to try their luck and skill at surviving the luck of the draw in Flushing Meadows. There were about 100 invitees and 16 or so qualifiers. The qualifying round pitted young and upcoming players against each other to enter the group.

A Bird’s Eye View: September 15, 2011

‘Duckies’ Flying Toward a Pennant

The Not So Mighty Ducks, affectionately known as the “Duckies,” are Nassau County’s entry in the All-Avian Baseball League (AABL). With two weeks to go in the regular season, the hi-flying Duckies are leading their conference and have their fans in the grip of pennant fever. For those not familiar with the team, here’s what it looks like position by position with a breakdown of how players field, run and throw.

First Base: This position requires a rangy bird that can stretch out for errant throws while keeping his foot on the base. The loon is a perennially Gold Glove winner. On close plays his eerie cry can chill base runners causing them to break stride and be called out. “Loonie,” as he is affectionately known to his teammates, because of his likeness on the Canadian one-dollar coin, is a “money” player.

Over 60...And Getting Younger: September 8, 2011

Meet the Folks!

I am so ashamed!

I have been writing this column for about 12 years and I have never spoken about my beloved parents to my beloved readers. Unfortunately, my parents are both gone now, but I feel their lives were interesting enough to warrant an introduction.

Liver Lines: September 8, 2011

I am writing this column as I sit and wait for Hurricane Irene to unleash its potential havoc on Long Island. It is an odd feeling as I watch the television and follow the storm’s course to see when and where it will hit Long Island. Like most of my neighbors, I have moved my outdoor furniture into the garage, cleared everything off the basement floor and moved anything of value from the lower level to the higher level of my home. Now the wait is on. This hurricane is coming just one week after the earthquake shook us last week. Unlike many, that was the first earthquake I have ever felt. When it happened, I was seeing a patient in my office. The exam room door started to shake and both the patient and I thought someone was trying to get into the room. I opened the door and found no one on the other side but did note that the building was shaking. Not really sure what was going on, we organized the office, led everyone down the steps and waited in the parking lot to get the all clear and learn that we had just felt the earthquake.

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

After the Storm

There was no calm after the storm!

Irene blasted her way across the eastern coast of America like a scorned woman getting even with a cheating lover. She brought winds that toppled sturdy trees and rainwater that flooded highways that looked underused. She turned the lights off in many single homes and many condominiums, even those with underground wiring.

Over 60...And Getting Younger: August 25, 2011

My Cousin Hymie

My cousin Hymie died three weeks ago, at the age of 90. He was one of my favorite cousins. His given name was Herman.

Herman is not a great name in my opinion, but Hymie was a great guy. He always had a joke on his lips or a puzzle, or funny saying. He was never negative about anything.

I attended his wedding to Dorothy in the Bronx when I was 13 years old (1947- you do the arithmetic.) It was held at the Imperial Manor on Westchester Avenue, and I remember the noise of a subway train drowning out the marriage oaths.

Liver Lines: August 25, 2011

Vaccination against disease is one of the major advances in medicine and has helped prevent disease in countless individuals. Despite the importance of vaccination, many people in our country do not get the routine vaccinations, which are available. This action places them at risk of getting sick but also places those around them at risk of becoming ill. Which vaccines am I talking about? These vaccines include but are not limited to the influenza vaccine, the Pneumovax or pneumonia vaccine and the hepatitis A and B vaccines. Why don’t Americans get these vaccines? The answer is complex but usually comes down to several simple issues. Some of the issues are the lack of awareness of need, the lack of awareness of availability and the lack of the insurance company to pay for preventive medicine. As this is the Liver Lines, I would like to say a few words about the hepatitis B vaccine.

Over 60...And Getting Younger: August 18, 2011

My TV Watching

I do not watch television in the morning. The last time I watched something in the morning was Sept. 11, 2001. I received a call from Adam, my son, who worked in the Wall Street area.

I can watch a World Cup Soccer Match or Australian tennis match, even if it is broadcast at 2 or 3 a.m., but that’s about it for the morning. My television viewing really starts at about 4 p.m. with Judge Judith Sheindlin. She seems to properly enumerate the law, with all its intricacies, to her TV audience. Of course, she is strident and punishes severely those who speak out of turn. The cases are not earthshaking, but she does carry out the true sense of the law.