The headlines are startling, although not unexpected. Among students in grades 3 through 8 on Long Island less than 40% passed Math and less than 50% passed English in recent standardized tests. Although I’m not a fan of standardized testing, the results are undeniable.The effects of the pandemic are many. We have suffered personally - directly and …
A fascinating photo exhibit is available for anyone interested in getting a remarkable look at pre-war Europe. A young man was taken on a summer trip of 8 European countries. Richard Scheur took multiple rolls of film and had an incredible knack of connecting with the people and places on his journey. The photos of life in the cities, countrysid …
It is now less than a week away. Will you celebrate? Will you dress up? When my kids were young, Halloween was a glorious spectacle. Lots of costume planning and changing. And oh, the candy. Three Musketeers are my favorite. I remember one year my son and his best friend went around the neighborhood gathering my favorite candy for me. They …
My husband and I have recently realized that, other than the national and local news, the only network television show we watch is Shark Tank. Everything else we watch is available through the networks that we stream. Technically so is Shark Tank but we still watch it on cable. So we have begun having THE discussion. Do we cancel cable and rel …
My office includes more than the usual accoutrements. The same space includes my wardrobe in a dresser that was once dad's (really!) and a closet. So when I wanted to change my garb and get ready for the day, I need to be there. I was up early and my MacBook and other devices were all upstairs in the dining room "anticipating" a possible move to …
I must admit, sorry pumpkin fans, but this pumpkin spice thing is over the top. I think it's jumped the shark, as was coined in 1985 by Jon Hein in response to a 1977 episode from the fifth season of the American sitcom Happy Days, in which Fonzie jumps over a shark while on water-skis. We can get anything with pumpkin spice now. For example (the …
My wife Joanne is an artist with different tastes and talents than me who during the arc of our dating and marriage went her own way while I was inordinately consumed by sports and fandom. Recently, however, there has been an appreciable and appreciated shift. Maybe because of Aaron Judge’s epic season or the late season call up of Rookie Osw …
I don’t consider myself to be superstitious, yet there is one phenomenon that I’ve noticed that gives me pause.The jinx happens when a sports announcer says something speculative - - a comment about the number of innings without a hit against a pitcher or a hitting streak for a batter.Before last Sunday’s Giants-Ravens game, they did a brief segmen …
Museum going is an easy and accessible outing for New Yorkers. Tourists from all over the world make sure to take in at least one museum on their New York City visits. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim, and the Whitney are the top attractions. Their offerings are world class and their new fall shows are all …
I am sucker for old television. I know that I am a grown woman but watching shows I remember from when I was young is like going back in time. I grew up in Brooklyn in an attached house. Our living space was small, but comfy. On the counter right next to the kitchen table where we ate every meal, sat our black and white 14 inch TV. We had three …
We recently went to see The Who at UBS. It was a great show. I cannot believe the level of performance that Roger Daltrey and Pete Townhsend are still capable of. I did notice one disturbing trend. The person next to me was texting throughout the performance. Although she was bopping to the music, she barely looked up at the stage. The person in …
Usually, the plan involves a Broadway musical. This year she just wanted a nice restaurant. Marisa proposed three; I selected one, Foragers in Chelsea. Shelly liked the choice. Shelly and I arrived early and enjoyed cocktails. She even had me post it to Facebook – not something I do but for my lovely and dear wife I made an exception – with a m …
It's mid October and SpaceX has sent 47 rockets to space and landed the second stage of each on a small drone ship floating in the ocean. They have launched more rockets than all other countries combined. Their goal is 52 this year. SpaceX does this so often it is now common place. I try to watch every launch but there have been so many, it's diff …
As I mature I find myself awaking and getting out of bed earlier and earlier. Early? 5:00ish to be exact. I manage my waking time and the requisite minimum 7 hours slumber by trying to be in bed by 9:30, supplemented by occasional afternoon naps. In doing so, I usually awake rested and ready to go and go I do. I find the private time alone with …
Every so often I see a message that I feel compelled to share.We were visiting the Hot Shop (a place where glass is blown and otherwise formed) at the Tyler School of Glass at Temple University. Although everyone - students and professors- appears to be having fun, it is a serious place. Working glass, especially hot blown glass, requires well-chor …
