We have one and I have often cursed it. That tree takes up a good part of our back yard. Swing set? No room. A pool? The whole neighborhood would have been disrupted. In fact, I have always been convinced that our house, actually our entire neighborhood, was planned around that tree. Most days, I’m complaining about the berries that slam in …
It was my father’s birthday last week. My father died several years ago but his birthday still causes me to take some time to pause and remember. The first thing I always do on his birthday is to call my brother and sister. We find comfort in talking about my father with one another and exchanging stories and memories. I also light a candle o …
On Father's Day I shared the concerts for last week. Two shows at City Winery sandwiched a show at Jones Beach. All featured exemplary musicianship, energy and great songs, many iconic. The City Winery shows were each a family affair as our daughter, Marisa, joined her parents. Marisa and I took in the show at Jones Beach. Three amazing sets: …
Yesterday was my Mom's 92nd birthday. Even though we are celebrating with my family today, I stopped by yesterday to say hi. It's always a blanket of emotions visiting her. She lives in the "memory neighborhood" in an assisted living center where they take fantastic care of her. I'm grateful for the people that work there. I have no idea what …
Last Sunday we pulled into a restaurant near closing time for a late supper and I noticed an extraordinary thing. The whole waitstaff, even after working a long weekend shift, was all smiling and eager to serve. I can’t explain it, but either there was something in the air or management found the secret to customer satisfaction. What I do know is …
I first noticed the bird’s nest about a week ago. It is on a low branch, nestled against the trunk, about eight feet up.Three heads were visible - a mother and two little ones.I observed them for a few days as the three of them sat in the nest. The mother guarding while the babies grew.And then the mother left the nest and walked up the branch. It …
I first noticed the bird’s nest about a week ago. It is on a low branch, nestled against the trunk, about eight feet up.Three heads were visible - a mother and two little ones.I observed them for a few days as the three of them sat in the nest. The mother guarding while the babies grew.And then the mother left the nest and walked up the branch. It …
Steph Curry has just won the NBA Finals MVP and a championship with the Warriors. Curry was so close to becoming a Knick in the 2009 draft. He was one pick away from changing the fortunes of my favorite team. The Knicks have not was a championship since 1973. In the last 50 years, The Knicks have had one game changing player chosen in the draf …
I learned this from Corey early on in the pandemic. After being stuck inside for the last of the winter months in 2020, spring arrived with summer right behind. I learned that my office no longer needed to be inside in a stuffy room behind a closed door. Instead, on a beautiful day I could set up my entire office outside – double monitors …
Organizing a family dinner together has become more difficult to coordinate as our children get older. Just getting everyone together on days such as Father’s Day is becoming challenging as our children have significant others, spouses etc. We are learning to alternate or divide the special days with our family and the families of significant othe …
Everyone knows I like to take in a good show. Last’s week commentary certainly made that point. So what better way for this commentator to celebrate this day with family than at a concert. So following an amazing concert – Sir Paul McCartney at MetLife Stadium Thursday night (Did you know the Boss joined in for two songs? – see the set list), my wi …
A commercial bus driver has been charged with 38 counts of reckless endangerment after blacking out behind the steering wheel while snacking on gummies he says he didn’t know were infused with THC. Jinhuan Chen was driving 38 passengers from the Mohegan Sun Casino when he stopped the bus on the side of Interstate 95 in Stratford and slumped over …
Last night Norm Spizz and his Committee (Corey Bearak, Elizabeth Greenberg, Tessa Marquis, Caitlyn Ryan and Shelley Simpson) presented still another stellar Gotham Film Festival (generously sponsored by Jason Greenberg/Phoenix Public Adjusters Group, Raj and Sharon Goel, Tom Gallin, Klein Zelman Rothermel Jacobs & Schess, 5th Street Advisors, S …
There was so much hype about the Strawberry Moon that was making an appearance over the last few days, that we were determined to view the promised spectacle.We are very amateur at moon gazing and only considered clouds as the impediment to our plans. How wonderful that the night sky would be virtually cloudless. But we soon learned of two addition …
The fantastic PBS series, “American Masters”, is taking a deep dive into the life and career of The Beach Boys genius songwriter, Brian Wilson. “The Long Promised Road” traces the legendary performer’s journey on a drive through Los Angeles with his friend and Rolling Stone editor Jason Fine. As a teenager, Wilson created a sound that raced to t …
