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June, 2009 – Astrology at Work in your Life

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June, 2009 – Astrology at Work in your Life
ASTROLOGY AT WORKKarola Crawford
by Karola Crawford

 

June 2009

Geminis, this is your month to shine. Your strong drive to achieve distinction through intellectual brilliance and mental accomplishments is seconded only to your desire to understand life’s workings thoroughly. You easily investigate new things because of your curiosity and your desire to travel and explore new options in as many areas of life as possible is like your second nature. You don’t need much prompting to throw caution to the wind to try out the newest fashions or be the center of attention in the crowd.   

 

Your capacity for mental energy and physical stamina is extremely high and usually you age very well, looking younger the older that you get.  If you don’t wish to give out your correct age on this birthday no one will notice.  You have incredible creativity, however, it is very difficult for you to truly see yourself the way that others do.  You are totally able to be there for others, especially if this requires some form of mental expression, but your emotional closeness is not dictated by this sign. 

If you have a water moon or some other form of deep emotional connection, then you will be able to show your feelings on more than just a superficial level; however, the sign of Gemini by itself does not have this aspect as a basic nature.  This may free you up from getting tied down or too “choked up” and allow you to weather many situations without getting bogged down by emotional baggage.  You are therefore always ready to take the next step, even while you verbalize your opinion to anyone that will listen. 

 

This month it feels as though your life will straighten out from many mishaps that occurred the last 30 days.  You can barge ahead and know that you will encounter a straight path without too many obstacles.  Have fun with family and friends.

 

   Cancer – This is a good month for marriage and domestic security.  Your emotional well-being is being looked after.

 

   Leo – Your relentless willpower may be tested this month.  Rejuvenate with the rays of the sun to stay strong and optimistic.

 

   Virgo – Be careful with all structures, including bones, and take extra care of your body.  Become flexible by stretching and getting massages.

 

   Libra – Business is good this month and anything that requires organization is going to be a piece of cake for you.  Remember to think things through though.

 

   Scorpio – If  life has gotten too serious, take a break with a weekend getaway.  A long, deep meditation at a botanical garden or at the beach will be the right decision.

 

   Sagittarius – You are trying new things and opportunities abound.  Don’t take things for granted however, and keep the communication open for the future.

 

   Capricorn – Health issues are at the forefront, and even your teeth may require some maintenance.  Get that preventative visit for a health check up and then treat yourself to a healthy lunch with a friend.

 

   Aquarius – Most of the matter-of-act things are not moving ahead as expected, but don’t give up.  Time will pay off in the long run.

 

   Pisces – There is excitement in the air so allow the sudden changes to take place.  You have many opportunities now that cut ties to the past.

 

   Aries – Steady is the name of the game this month and it is time to curb some of the exuberance that keeps you going.  Expect the future to hold rewards for holding back.

 

   Taurus – Long conversations with your significant other are highlighted this month.  Don’t let a starry night go to waste as this will have future implications.

Karola Crawford, MAFA, has been a certified Astrologer for 22 years. She has cast charts for clients all over the world and also practices Holistic medicine, Yoga, Shiatsu, Reiki, Auricular Acupucture and is an accomplished artist. Where does she get all of her energy? A grand trine in fire, of course. Karola can be reached at 561-615-1591 or by visiting the web site at www.karolacrawford.com.

 

June, 2009 – Buena Vida

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June, 2009 – Buena Vida

 

 

NEIGHBORHOOD SCOOP

by Ina Baronn

 

Buena VidaBuena Vida in Wellington, FL

 

Living La Vida Buena

                                                         

STOP! DO NOT READ THIS!

Unless you want to know about a fabulous community. Buena Vida is its name. An over 55 community, it boasts the most energetic over 55 bunch of people you could imagine.  Lots of last names such as Cohen, O’Brian, Soprano, Smith, Sikh, and so many more. People of all shapes, styles and backgrounds. There are of course the in-shapes and out-of-shapes.  But whatever your shape, you’ll fit right in at Buena Vida.  There are so many amenities . . . pools to swim in, a hot tub to relax in, many tennis courts, and our own café with fabulous freshly-prepared food, run by Strathmore Bagels.

 

The beautiful Buena Vida gated community in Wellington.
The beautiful Buena Vida gated community in Wellington.

 

There is a beautiful library with books, computers, and a large-screen LCD TV.  You can play pool, ping pong or pinochle. Come for trivia night or bingo. Women have all kinds of card games like canasta, mahjong, bridge, and a new game called “Let’s go to the mall!” Actually, I don’t think that’s a card game. There are walkers, and joggers, exercise enthusiast, who use the gym or take advantage of salsa classes, yoga classes and movie nights.  You are probably wondering how I mentioned movie night along with exercise.  Well, the movies are so exciting, your heart or pacemaker get a lot of pounding. I will not mention any names but our activities director, is always coming up with new and great ideas. We have lots of clubs to belong to. Amici club, Wine club, fishing club COPS, Haddasah, Happy Days, Yiddish club. And even if you don’t belong you can still partake of all the fun programs provided.  There is so much more to write about, but I was only allowed a certain amount of words. One more thing, rest assured at every event cookies and coffee are served! Let me leave you with the following message.

IF YOU LIVE IN BUENA VIDA, YOU WILL NEVER BE HUNGRY, THIRSTY, BORED, LONELY, OR WITHOUT FRIENDS.

June, 2009 – A Wine Lover Sips and Tells

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June, 2009 – A Wine Lover Sips and Tells

 

AS I WAS SAYINGAlan Williamson

by Alan Williamson

A Wine Lover Sips and Tells

 

Hear that sipping sound? Wine consumption in the U.S. is booming, with sales now approaching the levels found in European countries. As an American, I’m proud to say my wife and I are doing our part to keep that trend flowing. We work with unquenchable determination to integrate wine into our everyday lives on a par with our French, Italian and German counterparts.

To leave no doubt about our commitment, “Support Our Grapes” is the message of unity that calls out from our bumper sticker. “When in Doubt, Add More Wine,” is the foolproof cooking philosophy engraved on a plaque hanging in our kitchen. “Wine has been berry, berry good to us” is the feeling we hold in our hearts after each exquisitely paired marriage of food and vintage varietal.

This sample “to-do” list I made during a recent day off demonstrates the diligence of my efforts to help the world wine industry be fruitful and multiple on U.S. soil.

 

Things To Do Today

1.)    Take a walk.

2.)    Catch a movie.

3.)    Grab a nap.

4.)    Have some wine.

I maintained similar priorities on another ambitious day off.

 

Things To Do Today

1.) Sleep late.

2.) Read last week’s TV Guide.

3.) Give listening to violin music another chance.

4.) Have some wine.

 

          These days, wine enjoys an exalted status as the healthier choice among alcoholic beverages. It has also achieved marketing clout as a lifestyle enhancement that complements everything from formal occasions and special meals to casual gatherings and kicking back for some quiet relaxation at home. With the expanding menu of socially-acceptable ways that we can fit wine into our lives, keeping track of which wines you enjoy can get to be a challenge. You know your exploration of wine has reached an advanced stage when you find yourself in a store holding a bottle with a familiar label and thinking I know I’ve had this one before, but I can’t remember if I loved it or hated it.

          Having paid my dues as a self-made student of wines in the $7 to $14 a bottle range, I’m happy to pass along this helpful pointer to all wine connoisseurs in training: Keep a Wine Log.

            As pretentious as it sounds, a wine log is the only practical solution to prevent yourself from accidentally buying wines you intensely dislike over and over again. It’s also a great way to develop your wine vocabulary as you grope for words to describe what you taste. Note this early, inexperienced entry from the wine log my wife and I have been keeping for years as we attempt to capture the essence of an $8 bottle of Pinot Grigio paired with Alaskan king crab legs.

 

 

Tasting Notes:

1.)    Crisp.

2.)    Dry.

3.)    Nice.

4.)    Good with king crab legs.

Now take a peek at this recent, more knowledgeable entry describing a California chardonnay we had with some grilled salmon.

 

Tasting Notes:

1.)    Tinges of spicy apple tingle in our noses along with something more – tangerine perhaps?

2.)    Undercurrents of toasty oak and creamy vanilla add a mellow tone.

3.)     Flirty in a refreshing fruit-forward kind of way (as opposed to a slutty “love for sale” kind of way).

4.)    Room spinning, feeling woozy, must . . . get . . . air.

 

          It was through keeping a wine log that my wife and I came to the life-changing realization that there’s no such thing as a bad Australian red wine. Australian red wines are remarkably like Australian people – friendly, bold, brash and quirky in a likable sort of way. Having a bottle of Australian Shiraz or Red Zinfandel with a meal is like spicing up the occasion by having a colorful dinner guest at the table. Picture the kind of guest who shows up wearing cowboy boots with a tuxedo and you’ve got a sense of why Aussie wines will make you “turn red” and love every minute of it.

          This no-holds-barred entry from the Williamson wine log captures the glories of an Australian Shiraz served with a porterhouse steak fresh off the barbie.

 

 

Tasting Notes:

1.) Smokey hints of tobacco and pepper vie for our approval.

2.) A plumy persona plays rambunctiously on the palette, suggesting wild blackberries or, perhaps, the Wild, Wild West.

3.) Aromas of leather and licorice tease and taunt us, daring us to write the words “leather” and “licorice” side by side while keeping a straight face.

4.)  Feeling groggy, room spinning, must . . . get . . . help.  

 

          I share these entries from our wine logs purely to convey how our ability to articulate the nuances of fine wine has evolved to its current level of sophistication through the meticulous process of “sipping and telling.” May it serve as an inspiration to all those who strive to savor wines they enjoy. May it also help them gracefully avoid wines that cause them to spit violently across the table spraying innocent people with the sour remnants of their displeasure.

 

Cheers and Bon Appetit!

Alan Williamson is an award-winning writer with 27 years in the field of true fiction (advertising). A practical man who knows that writing for a living is risky going, he has taken steps to pursue a second, more stable career as a leggy super model. Alan can be reached at [email protected].

June, 2009 – Boomer’s Music . . . Rock School

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June, 2009 – Boomer’s Music . . . Rock School

June, 2009 – AW Spotlight

Boomer’s Expands and Adds a Rock School

Taking Young Musicians to the Next Level

 

 

Story, Photos and Video by Krista Martinelli

 

It’s refreshing – in this economy – to walk into a place where things are booming and where business is expanding, instead of declining.

Larry Rein, who heads up the Rock School at Boomer's Music
Larry Rein, who heads up the Rock School at Boomer's Music

 When you walk into Boomer’s Music of Wellington, you are often greeted by the dog the music center is named after, Boomer. You also get to see some very talented kids coming and going, as the music lessons are always going on. And now, you get to see this successful musical gathering spot taking up more than twice the real estate that it used to, with eleven new practice rooms and a new recording studio. They expanded in December of 2008, converting the empty real estate offices into practice rooms for drums, guitar, piano and other instruments.

Co-owners Melody Stuart, Jeannie O’Neil and Larry Rein are proud of their music lessons, their store and now their Rock School too!

“The Rock School gives the kids a feeling of being a bit more musically mature,” says Larry Rein who heads up this portion of their operations. For example, he refers to a twelve-year-old musician who enjoys playing in a band with a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old student. “He loves it! They talk to him like a musician, not like a kid.”

Boomer’s Music had already been offering lessons in “band development,” but Rein got inspired further when watching the movie “School of Rock” (starring Jack Black) and searching for other rock schools online. He liked the idea of matching kids up into rock bands and keeping it as positive as possible. These are all individual students who also take lessons at Boomer’s, who commit to playing twice a month with their band. So far there’s a Led Zeppelin band, a Bon Jovi band, a Nirvana band and a Pearl Jam band. More bands will be added as the Rock School expands. The Rock School is designed for students from ten to 16 years old.

Rein is a multi-talented instructor, able to teach guitar, sax, clarinet, piano and vocals. He aims to be a

Emily Webster, 10-year-old rock star at Boomer's Music. Check out her video on this page!
Emily Webster, 10-year-old rock star at Boomer's Music. Check out her video on this page!

positive role model for the students in everything he does. In his spare time, he’s also good at dressing up and entertaining for kids’ parties in his other work for A Perfect Party. He’s quite comfortable being a pirate, Spiderman, Superman or whatever is called for. In other words, he is terrific with kids and chooses to spend more than full-time hours in the company of kids, helping them learn and laugh and progress. He’s the parent of Logan, who turns 13 in August. Ironically, Logan plays the drums, one of the instruments that Rein does not teach.

How do the parents feel about their young rockers, joining up with a band? They love it, according to Rein. Sometimes they walk into the building and cannot even believe that their children are playing the music that they hear. For example, one of the mothers of one of the Bon Jovi band students walked in, totally impressed and amazed that this was her son’s band.

One of the only big challenges for their Rock School students is finding the right venues to perform, once they are ready for the stage. They’ve been doing an open mic night at The Coffee Shack in Kobosko’s Crossing of Wellington toward the end of each month. Now Rein is looking for a larger venue to hold a Battle of Bands and he would like to put together a panel of musical celebrity judges too.

Melody Stuart of Boomer's Music
Melody Stuart of Boomer's Music

Boomer’s Music also offers other exciting avenues for talented young musicians, like their new recording studio and their development package.

 

 

 

 “My passion and my dream is the recording studio,” says founder Melody Stuart. “The goal is to promote young, talented children. For those who are serious about pursuing a music career, Boomer’s offers a development package. A couple of the younger children considering this path are Emily Webster (10) and Alex Rodriguez (8); see their music videos! 

 

 

Alex Rodriguez, 8-year-old rock star at Boomer's Music. See his video on this page!
Alex Rodriguez, 8-year-old rock star at Boomer's Music. See his video on this page!

The recording studio just seemed to come together naturally and is now being used to record young artists’ original music, as well as being used as a teaching tool. Larry Rein put together the space and then Boomer’s was fortunate to have one of their former students, Matt Huber, return to do all of the wiring. Huber was formerly part of a popular local band called “Odd Man Out.” He graduated from Full Sail University, a recording arts school in Orlando. After doing an internship in Miami, he heard that Boomer’s needed help with their recording studio.

“I will record anyone anytime,” says Huber, who is ready and willing to record musicians even on Friday or Saturday nights. He’s also teaching a few beginning guitar classes. He’s been back at Boomer’s for just a few months, but it feels like “coming home again.”

 “We’re very happy to have him back,” says Rein. “We like it when people come full-circle like this.”

Melody, Jeannie and Larry of Boomer’s joined forces with Cindy Buonpastore to create a non-profit organization called The Laura

Matt Huber, Master of the Recording Studio at Boomer's
Matt Huber, Master of the Recording Studio at Boomer's

Brooke Foundation. The organization assists young, talented music students in need of funding for their education. The organization is named after the late Laura Brooke Buonpastore, who was on the road to musical success at the early age of 14 when a car accident changed everything. For more information or to donate instruments or funds to the Laura Brooke Foundation, visit www.passthedream.net. 

It’s hard to put into words the feeling that you get when you enter Boomer’s Music. It’s a place where teachers do a lot more than just teach music, but really act as mentors for these children and help them to develop their true talents. More than that, the friendships that are struck among students seem to run deeper than usual. Everything they do at Boomer’s comes from the heart. And now they’re doing more than ever before.

Now offering Summer Camp classes . . .

·         Rock School for Beginners (includes recording studio time)

·         Acting Classes for Beginners

·         Guitar Lessons for Beginners

·         Auxiliary Instruments Classes

·         Teen Band Development Classes

 

           

 

          Boomer’s Music

          Home of the Laura Brooke Foundation

          Wellington Plaza

          (SW Corner of Wellington Trace and Forest Hill Blvd.)

          Phone: 561-656-1259

 

Video Notes

1. Emily Webster (10) sings “One More Day” written by Melody Stuart as a tribute to Laura Brooke Buonpastore. Laura was a talented singer/songwriter, taking lessons at Boomer’s Music, whose life was tragically ended in a car accident at age 14. Her dream lives on…providing funds and musical instruments for talented young musical artists. For more information about the Laura Brooke Music Foundation, visit www.passthedream.net.

Emily Webster attends Wellington Elementary School and would like to be a country rock star when she grows up. Emily writes her own songs and has been taking lessons at Boomer’s for a year and a half.

2. Alex Rodriguez (8) performs “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix. Alex attends H.L. Johnson School in Royal Palm Beach. He also writes his own songs and would like to be a professional guitarist when he grows up.

June, 2009 – The End of Science Fiction

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June, 2009 – The End of Science Fiction

CANTANKEROUSLY YOURSwendellabern21

by Wendell Abern

 

The End of Science Fiction

 

 Dear Trekkies, and Other Such Buffs,

          For my thirteenth birthday, at my request, my parents bought me subscriptions to all four science fiction magazines.  One weekly, three monthlies.  Not a big expense, really, and a lot cheaper than a bicycle or new fielder’s mitt.  I read each one of those publications, cover to cover, as soon as they came out.

          In those days, almost all magazines actually published short stories. 

Not just articles, but short stories, frequently by famous writers.  The SF magazines I loved carried new short pieces by Asimov, Heinlein, Bradbury and my favorite, the long-forgotten Frederic Brown.

          What incredible imaginations these writers had!  More than 60 years ago, they wrote of landings on the moon, rockets to other planets, lightning-fast computers, and robots that would fight fires and do housework.

          Those feats are no longer fiction.  Science fiction is science fact today.  Science fiction, as we knew it back in the day, no longer exists.  Today’s SF writers are way beyond that.  They’re into time travel.  Machines that think.  Immortality.  And other incredible realms that we mere mortals can’t even imagine.

All of this became clear to me the other day as I read an article about the capabilities of today’s robots.  Robert Boyd, of Tribune News, wrote that, “Thanks to exponential increases in computer power – roughly doubling

every two years – robots are getting smarter, more capable, more like people.”

          Matching human skills is enormously daunting, perhaps impossible according to Boyd.  However, he writes that “robots guided by their own computer ‘brains’ can now land jumbo jets, steer cars through city traffic, search human DNA for cancer genes, play soccer and explore craters on Mars.”

          Wait a minute.

          Land jumbo jets?

          Ain’t no robot gonna land a jumbo jet that I’m on, thank you.  As I’m reading this article, I envision a phone call to my airline prior to my next flight.

          “Good afternoon, Fly-By-Night Airlines, how may I help you?”

          “I’d like to know the name of the pilot on my flight.”

          “Excuse me, sir?”

          “I am not flying anywhere with you if my pilot’s name is Robotspierre or Robogorgle or something like that.”

“Sir, we’re not allowed to give out the name of our pilots.”

          “I am not flying with a robot as my pilot!”

          I imagine receiving assurances.  And then I start wondering … how do I know I’m not talking to a robot?

          Boyd’s article continues:  “At a recent ‘Robobusiness’ conference in Boston, companies demonstrated a robot firefighter, gardener, receptionist, tour guide and security guard.  You name it, a high-tech wizard somewhere is trying to make a robot do it.”

          A Japanese housekeeping robot, for example, can move chairs, sweep the floor and load a tray of dirty dishes in a dishwasher.  Intel has developed a mobile robot called Herb, the Home Exploring Robotic Butler.  Herb can recognize faces and carry out generalized commands such as, “Please clean this mess.”

          The electronic wizards have already figured out ways for our cars to give us audible directions.  One assumes it is only a matter of time before they program robots to speak.

          Imagine, for example, a Store Monitor Robot, shouting, “Aisle two, express lane, no more than ten items, but we have a drooler with thirteen.”

          An “Athlete’s Pal” Robot, programmed to handle post-game interviews:  “I owe everything to my teammates, because, you know, we’re

all on the same page, everybody gives 110%, and at the end of the day, you know, that’s the bottom line.”                    

A Jewish Mother Robot:  “If you’re going to the swimming pool this afternoon, wear a hat, slather yourself with sunblock every ten minutes, and watch out for rip currents!”

          A Psychiatrist Robot, programmed to answer all questions with, “What are your feelings about that?”

          A Couch Potato Surrogate Robot for husbands:  “Honey, as long you’re up, make me a sandwich, bring me some more chips and a couple more beers, walk the dog, take out the garbage and wash the car.”

          A Couch Potato Response Robot for Wives:  (Nothing that can be printed in a family publication.)    

          A Surrogate Robot for kids:  “But I did do my homework!  It’s not my fault if the dog ate it!”

          A Drill Sergeant Robot:  “Comp’ny, haddap hup!  G’dop boppa chompa!”

          And the robot that makes me quake with fear – an Editor Robot:

          “It’s due tomorrow!”  “That’s your idea of a good lead?”  “I want to see all your sources!”  “You ever hear of a thing called ‘Spellcheck,’ you idiot?”  “A college sophomore could write a better headline than that!”

          Terrifying.  Absolutely terrifying. 

          Clearly, the uses for robots are endless.  In a talk last year titled, “Crossing the Chasm Between Humans and Machines:  the Next 40 Years,” Justin Rattner, Intel’s chief technology officer, gave some credibility to the often-ridiculed effort to make machines as smart as people.

“It’s conceivable,” he said, “that machines could even overtake humans in their ability to reason in the not-so-distant future.”

          Personally, I can name some humans whose reasoning abilities have already been surpassed.

          Perhaps the most surprising piece of news in this article was this observation by Paul Saffo, a technology forecaster at Stanford University:

People actually become emotionally attached to their robots!

          Two-thirds of the people who own Roombas, the floor-sweeping robots, give them names.  And one-third actually take their Roombas on vacation with them! 

It can’t be far off before robots become co-respondents in divorce cases.

          What an amazing world awaits my grandchildren.  Between the computers, the robots and technology yet to be discovered, they will be able to do anything they want without ever getting out of bed!

Well, hopefully I’ll be gone by the time someone comes up with a robot that writes humor columns.

          Cantankerously Yours,

          Wendell Abern

Wendell Abern can be reached at [email protected].

 

June, 2009 – Let Your Light Shine!

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June, 2009 – Let Your Light Shine!

Let Your Light Shine!Terri Farris

 

by Terri Farris

 

Lighthouses, a long time symbol of guidance, originated from people setting fires at the edge of the water to warn boats of dangerous rocks and shorelines!  The first lighthouse was built in Egypt in 283.  It guided ships for over 1,500 years and was 900 feet tall!  Today lighthouses stand on harbors, islands and beaches all over the world.

 

The Hudson River beginning in the New York Harbor and continuing up through the Hudson Valley area to Albany, New York is home to eight lighthouses which are now historic landmarks:  The Statue of Liberty, Jeffrey Hooks Lighthouse, Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse, Stony Point Lighthouse, Esopus Meadows Lighthouse; Rondout Lighthouse, Saugerties Lighthouse and the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse.  Let’s take a trip up the Hudson River to learn about some of these unique historic landmarks!

The Statue of Liberty –

The world’s most famous lighthouse is also one of the most recognized symbols of America. Representing a beacon of hope to thousands, the Statue of Liberty stands as a National Monument on Liberty Island in the New York harbor at the mouth of the Hudson River.   Formerly used as a lighthouse, Congress accepted this gift from France as a work of art and as a beacon for the New York harbor in 1877.    President Cleveland appointed the US Light-House Board to be the caretaker of Lady Liberty.  Fourteen arc lamps were strategically placed to illuminate the torch; however, the dimness of the lighting was little help to ships entering the harbor.  The “Liberty Lighthouse” closed in 1902. 

The Statue of Liberty can be visited by boarding a ferry at Battery Park in New York City or at the Central Railroad Terminal located at the north end of Liberty State Park in New Jersey.  Liberty Island, the statue and its base were closed immediately after the events of September 11, 2001.  Limited access to the statue resumed in December 2001.  The Statue of Liberty crown will reopen to the public on July 4th of this year. http://www.nps.gov/stli

Jeffrey Hooks Lighthouse –

Just up the river stands one of the most beloved lighthouses in Little Red LighthouseAmerica.  The Jeffrey Hooks Lighthouse, known as The Little Red Lighthouse, was constructed in 1920 to aid in the navigation of shipping on the Hudson River.  In the 1930’s the George Washington Bridge was constructed over the lighthouse.  The story of the lighthouse is told in the 1940’s children’s book The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Grey Bridge by Hildegard H. Swift.  In the story the Little Red Lighthouse is happy with his important role of warning the ships about the river’s dangers.  One day a great grey bridge is constructed over it and the Little Red Lighthouse feels useless.  In the end, the lighthouse learns it still has an important place in the world and learns to work with the Great Grey Bridge to warn the ships!   The lighthouse was saved from demolition due to the outpouring of support from the public who sent letters and money for the preservation of this beloved icon. The lighthouse was later deeded to the City of New York.  You can tour the lighthouse from Spring thru Autumn.  Tours are led by the Urban Park Rangers and feature historical exhibits inside the lighthouse.  http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=393

 Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse –

The 1883 lighthouse at Sleepy Hollow, formerly known as the Tarrytown Lighthouse, is the only Caisson-style lighthouse on theSleepy Hollow Lighthouse river.  The United States Congress authorized the erection of the lighthouse in 1847 but the project was delayed by controversy over the prospective site of the lighthouse.  Over thirty years later the decision was finally made to locate the lighthouse in the river itself approximately one-quarter mile off Kingsland Point.  In its 78 years of service the lighthouse had a nearly perfect record of performance.  The Lighthouse at Sleepy Hollow had twelve keepers over the 78 year period, many with wives and some with children.  Designed as a family station, the keeper and his family lived in the five-story structure year-round.  The lighthouse was rendered obsolete with the completion of the Tappan Zee Bridge in 1955.  The lighthouse is open for group tours by appointment only for groups of up to 25 people.  Periodic public visiting hours are also held.  Call (914) 366-5109 for further information.  The lighthouse can be viewed from Kingsland Point Park in Sleepy Hollow.

Stony Point Lighthouse –

Built in 1826 by Thomas Phillips of New York City for a cost of $3,350, the Stony Point Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse on the Hudson. Stony Point Lighthouse Constructed of blue split stone, the lighthouse is a 30-foot tall octagonal structure.  One of the most notable keepers of this lighthouse was Nancy Rose.  Nancy’s husband, Alexander Rose, died just four years after taking over as keeper.  A widow with six children, Nancy cared for the Stony Point lighthouse once maintaining her post in the lighthouse for 56 hours faithfully ringing the fog bell during a dense fog!  The lighthouse is part of the Stony Point Battlefield Park.  http://nysparks.state.ny.us/sites/info.asp?siteID=29

Saugerties Lighthouse –

The Saugerties Lighthouse is a red-brick lighthouse built in 1869 situated at the mouth of the Esopus Creek on the Hudson River.   This restored lighthouse gives visitors an opportunity to step back in time and sample life as a lighthouse keeper with a stay at the Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast!  The lighthouse contains a small museum, gift shop, parlor, kitchen, keepers quarters and two guest bedrooms.  Access to the lighthouse is by way of a ½ mile long trail with bridges and boardwalks.  The lighthouse is open to the public during the day.  Overnight reservations can be made for Thursday through Sunday evenings year round except for the month of February.    http://www.saugertieslighthouse.com

A visit to any of the Hudson Valley Lighthouses from the Statute of Liberty in the New York harbor to the Hudson-Athens lighthouse at the top of the Hudson River Valley will transport you back to a time when the lights were still shining from these historic beacons!

Terri Farris is a freelance writer who enjoys traveling. You can see more of her writing on her blog at www.terrifarris.blog-spot.com or contact her at [email protected].

 

June, 2009 – Solar Day

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LIVING GREEN

First Annual SolarDay

 to be held on Sunday, June 21

the First Day of Summer

  

The first annual SolarDay (www.solarday.com)  will be held nationwide on the first day of Summer – Sunday, June 21, 2009 – to educate the public about the benefits of solar energy and local solar installations in their area.

 

SolarDay is the first statewide and national recognition on the importance of solar energy to provide a source of energy that will reduce the U.S. dependence on fossil fuels and foreign oil.  This is an annual event held each year on the first day of Summer.

 

John Reed, Director of Elevator Communications, LLC – creator of SolarDay – explained the need for this new annual celebration of American energy independence through the adoption of solar energy installations and policies:

 

“While oil prices have recently declined, the party’s over for cheap fossil fuels, forever.  Sooner or later we’ll be looking, again, at $4.50 a gallon gasoline and we need to focus on steps we can take, as individuals and businesses – to permanently reduce our need on fossil fuels and the environmental hazards of greenhouse gases.  The new Obama administration provides us with a fresh start to dramatically grow the solar and green energy we need to meet our energy needs.

 

“The importance of solar energy has been recognized by the U.S. Congress, which included an 8-year extension of the 30% energy investment tax credit (ITC) in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, and removed the $2,000 cap which enables homeowners to fully use the 30% ITC.”

 

 

About SolarDay™, 2009

 

SolarDay™ 2009 is the first in an annual, state-by-state and national day of recognition for the growth of solar energy in the U.S. and a celebration of the growth in our energy independence.

 

SolarDay will be held on the first day of Summer each year.

 

Solarday.com is also the first consumer portal for information about solar energy and companies on a state-by-state basis so consumers can contact local solar installers to find out more about tax credits, costs and the benefits of energy independence. More information is available at: www.solarday.com.

 

 

 

Ten Ideas for SolarDay 2009 Local Community Events

 

Sunday, June 21 – the first day of summer

 

 

 

Do Your Own Thing

 

1 – SolarDay 2009, Run for the Sun:  how about a nice, friendly 5K walk and run event on a pleasant Sunday, June 21 – with proceeds donated to a fine, local environmental cause in your hometown.  A SolarDay Walk-A-Thon would also be great.

 

2 – SolarDay 2009, show Me Your Solar: How about a self-guided tour of local solar homes and businesses so people can see, firsthand, how solar works on a practical basis?

 

3 – SolarDay 2009, My Town Eco-Tour: Most towns have cool eco-elements many people don’t know about.  Why not an Eco-Tour on SolarDay 2009 to check out the people and places that are living and working eco-friendly in your town?

 

4 – SolarDay 2009, Going Green – Ten Steps To Sustainability: Need an expert for SolarDay?  Your local solar energy company can help, as can the U.S. Green Building  Council and local organizations that would be happy to discuss steps everyone can take to live better, greener lives.

 

5 – SolarDay 2009, Save Energy: Again, your local solar company can give plenty of advice on saving energy in the home and workplace.  There are also experts from your local utility available to talk to SolarDay 2009 participants about saving energy – everything from turning back the thermostat to long-lasting, energy-efficient lightbulbs to natural lighting to . . . it’s a long list of practical, inexpensive ideas that can help reduce the costs of energy in our daily lives.

 

6 – SolarDay 2009, Eco-Home, Eco-Business:  We can start improving the quality of our homes and workplaces with low VOC paints, recycled carpets, natural glues and adhesives, natural cleaning products, recycled products, eco-friendly flooring and natural bamboo, FSC-certified wood products – this is a great place to start with an expert speaker about simple tips to improve the eco-quality of our homes and businesses.

 

7 – SolarDay 2009, Start Your Organic Garden – you can’t grow one without the sun.  Why not have an organic gardening expert at SolarDay 2009 to talk about chemical-free foods, natural and organic and biodynamic gardening.  All good.

 

8 – SolarDay 2009, Solar Oven Competition: Speaking of food, why not have a solar-oven competition?  These are easy to build (just Google solar ovens), lots of different designs, you can actually cook food at SolarDay 2009, outside in the sun and offer those delectables to participants at your local event.  Rather cool – and hot enough to cook with.

 

9 – SolarDay 2009, Green Getaway Silent Auction: Speaking of green, your organization can create a list of cool green destinations as a vacation getaway to the lucky bidder.  We’ve all obtained sponsors for silent auctions for our schools and organizations, why not a green getaway weekend package with a green hotel, local organic restaurant, maybe a natural winery – you get the idea. A little creativity and a little work will go a long way toward creating a fun, green getaway package.

 

10 – SolarDay 2009, Green Photo Contest: Invite your community to post their green photos on your organization’s website to share what folks are doing, in your town, to live green.

For more information, contact:

John Reed, Principal

Elevator Communications, LLC

[email protected]

SolarDay 2009

San Francisco, CA

(415) 848-9080

June, 2009 – Yesterday

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June, 2009 – Yesterday

Poem of the Month

By Minx Boren

yesterday

sometime

between the washing and drying of sheets

I remembered to be grateful for the many friends

who have blessed me with their company

 

yesterday

sometime

between racing here and there to complete

an endless list of errands

I remembered to be thankful for legs and arms

and wheels and smooth roads

in a safe country

 

yesterday

sometime

between the chopping and serving of a meal

I remembered to give thanks for the seeds

and the farmers and their tools

and the trucks that deliver to markets and

the thousands and thousands

of interlocking efforts that bring 

food to my table

 

yesterday

sometime

between good morning and good night

I remembered

really remembered

the goodness of my days

 

from Feeling My Way – 99 Poetic Journeys

© 2008  Minx Boren.  All rights reserved

 

 

For more poems by Minx Boren, visit:

http://www.coachminx.com./poetry/books.html

 

Minx Boren, Master Certified Coach
Minx Boren, Master Certified Coach

June, 2009 – June Pictures

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June, 2009 – June Pictures

Just a few highlights of happenings Around Wellington. For many more photos, visit the link “Photo Galleries” on this site! 

Pictured are the Binks Forest Elementary School Student Council with third grade teacher and Coucil sponsor Lisa Gifford. The Council sponsored a drive for the “Forgotten Soldiers” that lasted two weeks and filled two truckloads with a variety of items including peanut butter, cereal bars, razors, sunscreen and magazines. The items were delivered on Friday, May 15, 2009. "The staff at Binks Forest Elementary is thrilled with the kindness of our students and parents," said BFES Media Specialist Sharon Wedgworth. Photo by Lois Spatz.
Pictured are the Binks Forest Elementary School Student Council with third grade teacher and Coucil sponsor Lisa Gifford. The Council sponsored a drive for the “Forgotten Soldiers” that lasted two weeks and filled two truckloads with a variety of items including peanut butter, cereal bars, razors, sunscreen and magazines. The items were delivered on Friday, May 15, 2009. "The staff at Binks Forest Elementary is thrilled with the kindness of our students and parents," said BFES Media Specialist Sharon Wedgworth. Photo by Lois Spatz.
 
Nacho Figueras, the Argentine Polo Player. Photo taken in Miami Beach by Christine Rose.
Nacho Figueras, the Argentine Polo Player. Photo taken in Miami Beach by Christine Rose.
The 22nd Annual Safe Harbor Celebrity Dog Wash made a big splash on Saturday, May 16 at Jupiter's Carlin Park with over 5000 attendees of the two-legged persuasion. The dog-friendly event featured a doggie costume contest and look-a-like contests, Sky Dogs, fabulous food and craft vendors and cool libations and a play area for the kids. The highlight of the event featured the headlining band War, most well-known for their mega-hits Lowrider, Cisco Kid, Spill the Wine and of course, Why Can't We Be Friends. Photo by Christine Rose.

 

Parents and kids got together for a good cause on May 22nd at My Gym in Royal Palm Beach, raising funds and bringing toys for the Children's Coalition. Photo by Krista Martinelli.
Parents and kids got together for a good cause on May 22nd at My Gym in Royal Palm Beach, raising funds and bringing toys for the Children's Coalition. Photo by Krista Martinelli.

June, 2009 – Passing the Torch

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June, 2009 – Passing the Torch

TEEN TALK

by Evan Baumel

Evan Baumel
Evan Baumel

 

Passing the Torch

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Evan Baumel and I will be your teen talk columnist beginning with the September issue of Around Wellington Magazine.  You may recognize my last name.  My sister, Rachel Baumel, wrote the Teen Talk column for Around Wellington Magazine two years ago. Let me give you an update on Rachel: she is currently finishing her second year at Simmons College in Boston and is an Arts Administration major.  Like Rachel, I enjoy writing.  My style of writing is very different from my sister.  I prefer to write about politics, history and issues that teens are experiencing in this day and age.  I will attempt to approach these serious subjects in a way that is informative, readable and in some ways entertaining.  I enjoy reading satirical literature and the comics as much as the Op-Ed column of the New York Times.  I also glance at The Economist magazine to keep up with the business world and our current economic state. The fact that Around Wellington Magazine is now online is excellent!  Most teens are plugged into their computers, iphones and ipods almost every waking hour that we’re not in school.  As a result, Around Wellington Magazine online will be much more accessible to people our age, so be sure to bookmark it as one of your “favorites.” 

    I am an active student at Wellington High School and in August 2009 will be a senior.  My activities will include the Debate Team, National Honor Society, Key Club, the Wellington Community High School Wave Newspaper and other clubs.

    An issue that is very important to me is student political awareness.  Whether you attend Wellington High or Palm Beach Central, most of our teen readers are within four years of having the privilege to vote.  I will try to keep you informed of how current legislation will affect teens on a local, state and national level.  I will try not to discuss controversial issues or communicate any political bias.  It does not matter to me what party affiliation you or your family is involved in.  What matters most is that you are aware that decisions about YOUR future are being made every single day.

     Of course, I will be covering teen culture and events that will interest our high school readers.  Over the summer, I encourage you to participate in activities, events, and festivals. Take a vacation, get a summer job and have a good time.  Don’t waste your summer by sitting on the couch watching TV for ten weeks. Economic times are tough, so if you can’t get a summer job try to volunteer in some capacity and earn some community service hours. Last year I was a volunteer Counselor In Training at a local camp and it was enjoyable. Overall, the message I’m trying to convey is: “Do something, anything of value to make your summer count.” I look forward to joining the Around Wellington team of writers in September.

 

Evan Baumel will be a senior at Wellington High School.  He’s involved in Debate, National Honor Society, and Key Club.

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