Starting the week I expected today’s commentary to review a concert attended this past Thursday with my daughter; that plan changed (last) Tuesday morning (August 26) after I read a story posted to Jewish Insider that New York Governor Kathy Hochul was about to sign into law a bill that my daughter – assistant director for the American Jewish Commi …
In the last two weeks, my daughter made us proud again. A few months back, I shared how Marisa placed an op-ed and State Senator Toby Stavisky called me to advise she is sharing that commentary with her colleagues. Earlier this month, the legislation Marisa wrote in support of passed the State Legislature. I posted to X congrats to my daughter …
Last week we enjoyed two proud parent moments. Both involved my daughter. I posted to X about the first. Marisa authored an op-ed for the American Jewish Committee ("AJC") that appeared in the Albany Times-Union. It was placed there because the target audience serve as members of the New York State Assembly and New York State Senators. The op …
A week ago this morning found Shelly and I at the Legislative Breakfast of the Queens Jewish Community Council (“QJCC”) at the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates. Shelly does not usually join me at these breakfasts but this year our daughter got installed as a director by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. I posted the proud parent moment to …
38 days. As in how many days until we vote and all eligible should exercise that right. But in many state “early voting” already started (In New York State early voting for 2024 runs October 26 through November 3.) I’ve long advocated voting; it really matters. Those who follow the main act election this year will note all the polls a …
I wore a special tee-shirt yesterday. Reason best explained next week. That said the saying seemed to align with current events. I gave no thought to that alignment when I set aside that tee Friday eve. It only occurred to me yesterday afternoon at the second winery we visited yesterday. As I recall things, our friend Starr (who is a mom by the …
So a funny thing happened on X last week. At least I thought so. Daughter Marisa texted a link to a post to X by Politico's Jeff Coltin that included a pic of buttons a former City Council Member and State Senator from my home borough of Queens posted for sale on Facebook. Marisa noticed some of the buttons also "appear" in my two collections dis …
Today culminates a special week for my clan. It started with Shelly taking a ride on her new bike transported for the first time via a bike rack. Then we learn of our son Jonathan's promotion at Guttmacher Institute to Principal Research Scientist, Modeling & Analytics. A few days later New York Governor Kathy Hochul announces an indefinitely …
Friday, I attend the Queens Borough President's Annual State of the Borough ("SOTB") speech. The last several years I've attended the SOTB with my daughter Marisa who works at the American Jewish Committee. This year I met in the parking lot the venue, Queens Theatre in the Park, shares with the Queens Museum in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. She …
I concluded last week's commentary noting a need for $4,000 to activate a matching donation to support the special People4Peace research project. As I write this only $50 needs to come in to make the match happen. Friday's blogger worked very hard to induce support; I view last week's efforts commendable and thank the generosity of the donors to N …
Something unexpected intruded on “my” Friday. I expected to focus on getting the last few items submitted to access a federal grant toward the new building renovation project for SNAP senior center, monitoring that day’s hearing on what I call the congestion pricing tax, visiting TD Bank to deposit donations to Northeast Queens Jewish Community Cou …
For several months, I’ve been meeting via Zoom with like-minded folks who oppose the imposition of a toll-tax (aka congestion pricing) to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street. Late last year, as other concerned folks and groups joined our weekly Zooms, those gathered decided to hire a lawyer and explore bringing a lawsuit. The group chose a name an …
First off, thank you to Friday's blogger for his commentary on today's blogger. A few weeks back during a periodic Zoom of the Queens Civic Engagement Committee held by the office of Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, the topic was expansion of voting. I had shared in the chat a 2016 commentary I wrote about how low turnout in the electio …
No secret how proud Shelly and I are proud of our children (and our daughter in law too). When we gathered last night for dinner I toasted Jonathan and Marisa for their recent achievement. This weekend I tweeted (see pic upper right)-- twice, last night and Friday -- about proud parent moments: Jonathan -- published again -- this time in Studi …
Marisa always liked take your daughter to work day. She enjoyed coming to work with dad and participating in the activities there. Fast forward to the present and it almost feels like we reversed roles. I shared with Marisa the early invite I received to the attend the 2022 State of the Borough Address by the Queens Borough President Donovan Richa …
I blog about what muses me.
