A Bird’s Eye View: June 11, 2010

Rain Is June Theater

I find watching spring rain to be soothing, mood enhancing and something in which I can lose myself. Last June, however, the total amount of rain that fell was 10.06 inches, more than twice the average for the month. The constant rain took an emotional toll on people, which a New York Times article referred to as “rain rage.” However, for much of the month I saw the rain as something that created theater in non-theatrical settings.

Over 60...and Getting Younger: June 11, 2010

Vacation Misadventures

We are now in the vacation season.

Somehow, not everything goes smoothly and free from trouble when we are on holiday. This story, that I will unfold, happened in the Scottish Highlands.

Over 60...and Getting Younger: June 4, 2010

Pop’s Pool Room

At the crossroads of the two major avenues of the East Bronx was a magical, idyllic spot known as Pop’s Pool Room. It was the place where I spent most of my spare time between the ages of 16 and 24, subtracting the two years that Pop banned me from his establishment.

Letter: Access to Polling Booths Should Not Be Blocked by School- Sponsored Events

Nassau schools have a right to be proud. Teachers receive good wages, the schools are relatively free of crime, and the amount of equipment, supplies and resources rival even that of many colleges. But many people feel that to support these schools, the high-cost of administration needs to be taken into account, and possibly adjusted downwards. In these times of belt-tightening and real estate decline, it’s a wonder that the school budgets get higher every year. Just recently, the school budget increases in Syosset and Oyster-Bay school districts, and most others on Long Island, were approved.

Over 60...and Getting Younger: May 28, 2010

A Language Test

It was a beautiful sunny day in Seoul, Korea.

Over 60...and Getting Younger: May 21, 2010

My Father’s Game

My father was born in Eastern Poland. He and his three brothers, Sheldon, Sol and Murray were all better than average soccer players. My father would drag my mother and me all over Brooklyn, the Bronx and Manhattan to watch soccer games. Through all those years my mother never understood or appreciated the game.

Editorial: We Need to Take Driving Seriously

I have never thought of myself as a particularly brave person; however, each day I take upon myself a truly terrifying task. People have been killed, maimed, or scarred for life doing this thing that I have chosen to do, and knowing this, I must somehow find the courage to continue on. I wish I could now segue into my dazzling adventures as a mountain climber or Bengal tiger trainer, or something with equal glamour, but unfortunately that’s not where this is going; I’m talking about driving on Jericho Turnpike.

Over 60...and Getting Younger: May 14, 2010

The Gin Rummy Game

I have never been much of a card player. Somehow, myself and three other gentlemen formed a Monday night gin rummy game. It has been classified as a Damon Runyonesque experience because the players are alumni from the streets of the Bronx and Brooklyn circa 1940s, ’50s and ’60s.

Over 60...and Getting Younger: May 7, 2010

My Proudest Moment

It was Halloween. The year was 1953.

I was studying calculus in my apartment in the East Bronx on the high ground floor. It was above Sid’s Candy Store. Sid’s was a noisy neighborhood hangout for the unemployed and the indigent.

Letter: The Importance of Your Local Library

One of the most important services any community enjoys is its public library. You wouldn’t think so judging by the actions Governor Paterson and the New York State Assembly have taken on funding libraries and library systems in the State’s 2010-11 state budget plans. The governor has recommended that state aid to library systems and their member libraries be reduced by $4.2 million. The Senate has rejected this recommendation, but the Assembly is still debating it.