ON THE 2018 EAST WILLISTON SCHOOL BUDGET VOTE

May 1, 2018

 

May 1, 2018

It’s amazing what can happen when incompetent people with self-serving interests and a near total lack of what quality education is all about running a School Board. We are all aware that the EWSD is now just another school district, no longer one of the quality premier ones in the country. I’ve already detailed in the past how this came about: Entine’s massive and senseless giveaway programs, the ridiculously incompetent Bergtraum (remember the 4th building?*!?) and self-serving unethical policies of union leader, Israel. And, let’s not forget the pitiful, embarrassing and comical PTO that has been successfully duped by the teachers and their union. The bottom line is that the EWSD is no longer a school district that we can all be proud of.

 

I believe the Board and Superintendent are beginning to get desperate and have pressed the panic button. Why this belief? Last month, the Superintendent sent out a questionnaire requesting input from residents to provide their top academic related priorities for the next 5 years. Is it possible this brain-trust (?) doesn’t know what they should know? Certainly, the residents don’t know. Thus, in the final analysis, the residents could be held to blame for the district’s precipitous drop in its reputation. I taught engineering, served as academic advisor, participated in admission decisions for 50 years…and can honestly say that I don’t know what the priorities should be at this level. (Note: I’d love to find out about their Project Lead the Way, a 4-year engineering program. It might be enlightening, but I doubt it). And, does anyone think that they are really interested in your thoughts? I had two solid recommendations last year that were totally ignored; no one got back to me — No One! Anyone want to try to convince me that they really care about our thoughts/concerns/recommendations? In any event, if they don’t know, and we don’t know, what does that say about the people running the asylum…I mean school.

 

The Board and superintendent Kanas recently claimed that “…continue the tradition of fiscal responsibility…”. Surely, they were joking. I know no one (maybe I know the wrong people) who ever claimed that the EWSD was fiscally responsible. All residents have to come to grips with the fact that the EWSD has never really concerned themselves with the best interests of the students, the parents, the seniors, and all other members of our community.

 

Here again are some general thoughts. The EWSD continues to do damage to our community with both excessive waste (particularly at the administration level) and indifference toward the taxpayer (particularly with seniors). Increasing numbers of incoming high school students are opting out of Wheatley in favor of private schools. This “migration” has gone uncontested by the Board-perhaps for good reason. In addition, the mode of delivery of education is changing, and changing at a near exponential rate, at all levels – and the EWSD has not attempted to adopt to these changes. I have been involved with several programs that have reduced or essentially eliminated the need for teachers. There is a need for accountability for not only these upstart programs but also for traditional programs. Unfortunately, there is little to no accountability at Wheatley. To further exacerbate this point, the EWSD teachers count has increased despite the drop in enrollment. On the positive side, I believe absenteeism has decreased; although there are more cars in the North Side parking lot, and there is less of a reduction of cars on Monday and Friday. Finally, I stand by my earlier statements that at least two members of the Board simply cannot be trusted; the community should not expect them to act in the best interests of the students and taxpayers.

 

The salary of teachers has skyrocketed and the quality of education has plummeted. What would a reasonably intelligent individual conclude from these 2 FACTS? What about the college level? When I went to school, tuition was below $2000 per year, a sum a student could earn over the summer and Christmas recess. I don’t think a student could come close to earning dollars $60K plus during the same period today. What do I conclude? The teachers’ union is in the process of destroying quality education at levels.

 

Remember, it OK to vote NO on the budget on May 15. A NO vote represents a call for better education for our students, fair and responsible treatment of seniors, a call for new leadership for both the Board and the District, and a rejection of the corrupt self-serving policies currently in place.

 

I close by issuing a call to members of our district who are concerned about taxes, seniors, and (most importantly) school children, to consider running for the Board in the future. I hate to put it this way, but almost anybody would be better than what we have now.

 

Visit the author at:

www.theodorenewsletter.com or on his Facebook page at Basketball Coaching 101

 

NEXT POSTINGS:

 

JUNE 1:          On Great Eats III: Greek – Edition

JULY 1:          On Purely Chaste, Pristine, and Random Thoughts XXVI

 

 

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ON BASEBALL STRATEGIES

March 1, 2018

March 1, 2018

Most of you already know that I consider myself an authority on basketball coaching. After all, I did publish a book titled Basketball Coaching 101(Amazon) – and that, by definition, makes me a basketball expert. Well, I have some news for you: I’m also an authority on baseball . . . and Modesty is not my middle name.

 

I became a baseball fan around 10 years of age. Not just a fan. A Yankee fan! I lived and died with them. Charlie (King Kong) Keller, Joe Page, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, etc., were my heroes. I remember paying 60¢ for bleacher seats and sitting on hard wooden benches for a doubleheader in torrid heat… and loving it. I then became a Yankee hater and a Mets fan, and have remained a Met fan since the team’s inception. And during this time, I have watched thousands of games on TV (rarely going to Shea or Citi Field). The net result? You guessed it. I am now a baseball authority and qualified to provide meaningful instructional analysis on the game.

 

But what does meaningful instructional analysis mean? Simply that I can provide those involved with baseball at any level – manager, coach, player, front office personnel, etc., – with suggestions on how to enhance and improve a team’s ability to win games on the field. That being said, here are tidbits drawn from my baseball file on 10 different categories: infielders, outfielders, catchers, pitchers, batters, base runners, coaches, managers, general managers, and (of course) owners.

 

Infielders

Each of the four infielders, but shortstops in particular, should be aware of the speed of the both the batter and runners on base. The infielders should play deeper, particularly the second baseman, if the batter is a slow runner; I would even advise playing on the outfield grass. The shortstop and second baseman should also be aware of a batters tendency to pull curveballs or fastballs and adjust their position on the pitch. The two should also communicate on who will cover second in steal situations.

 

Outfielders

Much of the above for infielders also applies to outfielders. Outfielders presently play too deep, particularly the left and right fielders. The outfielder should think and be aware of all the possible scenarios that may arise if the ball is hit to the outfield, particularly with men on base. The scenarios would vary depending on the number of outs, the score, and the inning.

 

Catchers

Catchers should know the strengths and weaknesses of the pitchers and all the opposing batters he will face. Knowing the disposition of the umpire calling balls and strikes would also help; e.g., does it help complaining on balls and strikes, etc.? Knowing the speed of runners on base is an absolute must. Many catchers today provide encouragement to the pitcher. I think there can be more of this. There should be more face-to-face discussions, e.g., put the ball over the plate and definitely don’t walk a batter. I believe the catcher should be the field general and run the defense. He should also be aware of all the points raised earlier for infielders and outfielders, as well as pitchers. Finally, a high I.Q. catcher is a definite plus. He should dish out instructions to outfielders, infielders, and the pitcher on what to do if . . . e.g., a double steal, a ground ball to the right side, etc.

 

Pitchers

It goes without saying that pitchers must have an idea of each hitter’s prowess. Some can’t hit curveballs. Some can’t hit fastballs. Some like it inside, and others don’t. Some of their preferences change with pitch count. Runners on base have to be carefully monitored. He should be aware of the likelihood of a steal. He should also know beforehand what to do on a bunt or a comebacker with a man (or men) on base. His own pitching limitations is a concern; it’s no secret that starting pitchers weaken in the latter innings. Although much of what will follow applies to starting pitchers, it also applies to relief pitchers. Since the mound is approximately one foot above ground level, a 100 pitch outing (plus bullpen, warmups, etc.) results in a pitcher effectively walking up a 20 story building; this may explain, in part, why pitchers do not perform as well later in a game. Older pitchers should seriously consider minimizing movements off the mound and, for goodness sake, try not to walk batters – put the ball over the plate and take your chances. I would replace any pitcher who walks a batter late in the game if ahead by more than one run. Finally, pitchers should try to avoid 3-2 counts with runners on base and 2 out.

 

Batters

Batters need to be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of both the starting pitcher and relief pitchers. How often does he throw fastballs? Does he prefer pitching inside or outside? Does he hold runners on base? Does he tire in later innings? Does he throw strikes on the first pitch? Does he change his pitching approach when behind the count? These questions need to be considered. But the batter also needs to realize that a walk is just about as good as a single. Batters need to consider changing their batting philosophy when behind in the count. More importantly, a batter should NOT be swinging for the fences in the last inning when trailing by more than one run with nobody on base; the objective should be to get on base, and the easiest way to accomplish this is via a walk. Keep in mind that home run swings significantly reduce one’s ability to check a swing on a pitch that is outside the strike zone…thus reducing the probability of a walk. Finally, batters (as well as base runners) should HUSTLE at all times; hell, you are exerting yourself less than ten minutes per game.

 

Base Runners

The coaches usually remind the runners of the scenario at hand but the runner must also be alert. On a single to left field, he should run top speed and ALWAYS consider going to second base since he is in a direct line with the left fielder’s throw to second base. Any throw to the left or right of second base should serve as a green light to consider going to second base. While on base, he should ALWAYS be prepared and consider taking an extra base if the catcher doesn’t field the pitch cleanly. He also should practice sliding techniques whenever possible.

 

Coaches

Coaches play the least significant role of the major players. Nonetheless, they should provide encouragement and support while on offense. Most importantly, they should know the limitations of the players on base and the strengths/weaknesses of the outfielders (but to a lesser extent of infielders).

 

Managers

For the most part, managers are overrated. And, most overmanage. Some are liabilities. Some are major liabilities, e.g., Terry Collins (in particular) of the Mets and Joe Girardi of the Yanks. The manager’s main job is to instill the basics to the entire team. Practice makes perfect and relays, double plays, bunting, and hitting to the opposite field should be practiced regularly. I would require each batter to hit to the opposite field when confronted with a defensive shift to one side. Players also MUST understand that a walk is just about as good as a single…and sometimes a double. I would have every batter prior to every game draw a red or black marble out of a hat. Those who draw a black marble would be required to take the first pitch, or when the count is 2-0, 3-1, or 3-0. Red marble selectors can do as they wish. However everyone must take on a 3-1 count with the bases loaded and two outs. Some of the above can be altered during late innings. The manager also needs to realize that when a relief pitcher comes in and gets a batter out that he has not thrown two pitches but probably fifty pitches when bullpen and warmup throws are counted. Since these additional pitches can take their toll, managers need to give consideration to their sometime reckless indiscriminant use of relief pitchers. Finally, he should require (with NO exceptions) every batter RUN out every ground ball or fly ball. One added point: He should not select cronies for coaches and I would allow my bench coaches to occasionally serve as manager for certain games.

 

General Manager

Most general managers (GMs) are not too bright and not capable of making intelligent baseball decisions. Most of the GMs are just like many of the players and coaches. There are a handful (not many) who know what’s going on. Few of the players have college degrees, unlike some football players. Joe Girardi is a graduate of Northwestern (in my opinion, the most prestigious university in our country) and he has repeatedly demonstrated an inability to make sound, rational baseball decisions. In any event, the GM needs to know both the capabilities of his players and those that are on the market. It’s a given that the GM should work closely with the manager; his cronies must not come into play in any of his decisions and actions.

 

Owners

They are in the baseball business for either or both of the following reasons: ego and/or to make money. He should understand the meaning of risk. He should also understand the meaning of optimization. He should also understand how risk and optimization affect each other. Bottom line: he has to make intelligent decisions from a risk and/or optimization prospective when it comes time to hiring, firing and managing his business; as with both managers and GMs, he should not hire cronies.

 

Note: I have attached two recent photos of the 1969 World Champion New York Mets legendary third baseman Ed Charles celebrating his 83rd birthday. Unknowingly to us, the 1969 Mets batboy was also in attendance; his presence added to the festivities. Ed also reminisced about growing up in Florida and preseason games. He’d track down baseballs in the outfield, get someone like Joe DiMaggio to autograph the ball, and then sell if for $5.00 – a windfall profit in those days.

Ed Charles and Lou

Visit the author at:

www.theodorenewsletter.com or on his Facebook page at Basketball Coaching 101

 

NEXT POSTINGS:

 

APRIL 1:         On 2017-18 Men’s Hofstra Basketball Revisited

MAY 1:           On 2018 East Williston School Budget Vote

JUNE 1:          On Great Eats III: Greek – Edition

JULY 1:          On Purely Chaste, Pristine, and Random Thoughts XXV1

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ON A BROADWAY MUSICAL PLAY

February 1, 2018

 February 1, 2018

I was always in love with the music of the 1950s and 1960s. And suddenly, it came to me a few weeks ago while watching an advertisement on the great love songs of the past. I thought: How about a musical play on the great music of the 1950s and 1960s era? After some thought, I decided to put together an outline for a Broadway play concerning the musical hits of that period, focusing on (but not limited to) country plus rock and roll music. And, that is what this piece is all about…a Broadway play titled: The Music of the 1950s and 1960s Revisited.

 

In terms of introduction, music is the organized movement of sounds through a continuum of time. It plays a role in all societies and exists in a large number of styles, each with special characteristics. Music is generally used to accompany other activities, e.g., dance. The association of music and poetry is so close that language and music are widely believed to have had a common origin in early human history.

 

A musical play of theatrical music involves vocal and instrumental music forming a part of a theatrical presentation. The music may be restricted to the background, as in most television productions, or it may be the principal focus, as in opera or a musical play. Thus, a musical theatrical production is one in which songs and choruses, instrumental accompaniments, and interludes are integrated. It can also include dance and a dramatic or comedic plot. The genre developed and was refined during the first half of the 20th century, particularly in the theaters along Broadway in New York City. The musical has origins in a variety of 19th century theatrical sources, including the operetta, comic opera, pantomime, the minstrel show, vaudeville, and burlesque. In 1913, the composer Jerome Kern began to produce a series of shows in which all the varied elements of a musical were integrated into a single fabric. This old musical formula began to change and new American musical elements, such as jazz and blues, were utilized by composers; in addition, singers began to learn how to act.

 

In the late 1920s, satire, ideas, and wit had been the province of the intimate revue. These and other innovations altered the familiar face of musical theater forever. Although the changes have been rapid, startling, and at some times confusing since that time, the music of the 1950s and 1960s have somehow managed to survive the relentless passage of time and the dynamics of not only the latter half of the last century but also the present century. However, from earliest times, most theatrical performances were accompanied by music that was produced solely by live musicians.

 

Regardless of the type or complexity of a production, all theater performances – including musicals–also have similar requirements. For a small, noncommercial production, most of these requirements may be met by two or three people; a Broadway show however requires dozens. The staff may be divided into administrative, creative (or artistic), and technical personnel. The administrative group includes the producer, box office and publicity personnel, and front-of-house staff (house manager, ushers, and others responsible for the audience). The artistic staff consists of the director, designers, performers, and, if applicable, playwright, composer, librettist, choreographer, and musical director. Technical personnel include the stage manager, technical director, and various construction and operating crews, all working backstage.

 

The director and cast of modern productions generally rehearse from two to six weeks. If a new play is being rehearsed, as in the case of musicals, songs and dances may be added or dropped; the choreographer rehearses the dancers, and the musical director rehearses the singers. Lighting design, a more ephemeral art, has two functions: to illuminate the stage and the performers, plus to create mood and control the focus of the spectators.

On to the musical itself. Keep in mind that I am not a producer or director, and have attended only 15 (my best guess) Broadway plays and 5 (my best guess again) off-Broadway plays. Most have been of a musical variety. My first play was Grease and remember becoming mesmerized on entering the theatre and hearing the piped-in music prior to the play. I also remember Dream Girls and Jersey Boys. Interestingly for me, the plot never came into “play”; it was strictly the music. Based on all of this, here is what I’ve come up with for a Broadway play on the music of the 1950s and 1960s.

 

Three things come into mind: the music/score, the singers/musicians, and the presentation/production. Each are detailed below.

 

The Music/Score: The music would be primarily based on the hit songs of the 1950s and 1960s. Here are some of my favorites:

 

 

Be My Baby

Beyond the Sea

Blueberry Hill

California Girls

Georgia on My Mind

Crazy

I Want to Hold Your Hand

Johnny B. Good

 

 

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

ShBoom

Someday Soon

Sweet Caroline

Whole Lotta Lovin’ Going On

All My Lovin’

You Belong to Me

 

 

 

 

Some, but not all, of the above would be part of the play for a given night, details of which are provided in Presentation/Production section.

 

The Singers/Musicians: This should consist of a 5-10 person band with excellent singers and music playing abilities. A no-name group – that are true fans of the songs of the 1950s and 1960s – would be preferred. At a minimum, the band would consist of a drummer, guitarist, keyboard player, violinist and horn. The band members would be male but a female singer/musician would be a plus. Other musicians could also be included in the band.

 

The Presentation/Production: Here is what I envision for a typical performance. The band opens up with a medley of 5 or more country music songs from the past. This would be followed by ACT I which would consist of 15 songs selected randomly by the Director from a list of 75 hits of the 1950s and 60s, almost all from a different artist. The  75 songs would initially be selected by the Director. Each song would be preceded by a short one-minute commentary on the songwriter and/or singers. ACT II would follow after a 15-minute break. This last act would consist of 10 songs that would be randomly selected by the audience. The play would conclude with another medley of songs of a rock-and-roll variety. The band would have to rehearse all songs early during the production stage of the play.

 

The aforementioned 15 songs would be randomly selected from the “bank” of 75 songs for each performance. Songs would also be randomly selected from the 60 songs that were not selected that previous evening for the following (next) performance. The next performance would then be selected from the remaining 45 songs. Etc. Etc. The cycle would therefore be repeated after every five performances, being careful that the songs are randomly selected each night and each cycle.

 

The ACT II songs would be selected by the audience each night on entering the theatre from the 60 songs remaining in the pool of songs not included in ACT I for that evening. The selections from the audience would be computerized, with the results of the top 10 choices determined during ACT I and the break. These songs would then constitute the 10 songs for ACT II that night.

 

The opening (prologue) and closing (epilogue) melodies would be the same each night.

 

A typical performance could consist of the following:

 

ACT I

 

INTRODUCTION: Lead member of band

 

OPENING MELODY (COUNTRY MUSIC; my selections)

Country Roads

Someday Soon (my favorite)

Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue

Lyin’ Eyes

Rocky Mountain High

 

15 SONGS

These would be selected from the pool of 75 songs. For example, the 15 selected earlier could be chosen.

 

INTERLUDE/BREAK (15 minutes)

 

10 SONGS

You pick them.

 

 

CLOSING MELODY (ROCK-AND-ROLL; my selections)

Earth Angel

ShBoom

Maybelline

I Wanna Hold Your Hand

Sweet Caroline (audience participation)

 

CLOSING REMARKS: Lead member of band

 

Finally, three points need to be made. First, I must inform the reader that I have never written a song, sung a song professionally, played a musical instrument, written a play, or understand the various ramifications associated with a musical play. Second, each performance would be different and thus could be attended numerous times by a theater-goer. (This is similar to Louie Prima’s shows in Las Vegas where – due to Prima’s insanity – the audience was treated to a different show every night.) Third, the above outline and details of the proposed musical play are dynamic in nature and could be “tweaked”, e.g., more or less selections, elimination of random selections, different musical categories, and any potential and/or special accommodations to the performers, audience, societal interests and problems, etc.

©Theodore Tutorials, 2017.

 

Visit the author at:

www.theodorenewsletter.com

or

on his Facebook page at Basketball Coaching 101

 

NEXT POSTINGS:

MARCH 1:                 On Baseball Managing 101

APRIL 1:                     On 2017-18 Hofstra Men’s Basketball Season Revisited

MAY 1:                       On the 2018 East Williston School District Budget Vote

JUNE 1:                      On Great Eats III – Greek Edition

JULY 1:                      On Purely Chaste, Pristine and Random Thoughts XXVI

 

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ON PURELY CHASTE, PRISTINE AND RANDOM THOUGHTS XXVI

January 1, 2018

JANUARY 1, 2018

I planned on publishing an article titled Great Eats III: Greek Edition this month; but, it’s the New Year. And, after some thought, I decided it would be more appropriate to subject the reading audience to some predictions for the New Year. Before proceeding, I would be negligent without a few parting comments for the past 12 months.

Last year? There were two negatives and two positives.

Negatives: I suffered a fractured vertebra while vacationing at the fabulous Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach (40th straight year) in Florida over Easter. It was painful. It also prevented attending (the 51st straight year) the AWMA annual meeting where I was scheduled to present a paper. Even worse, my doctor told me that I had shrunk about an inch. I’m no longer 6’2” tall. I suddenly realized why the ground seemed closer and Mary seemed taller. Even worse than the above, Mary broke her femur which prevented a visit to Ireland in July to celebrate her family’s reunion (maternal side) and our 50th anniversary. She still has yet to fully recover.

Positives of the previous year: There was Ron Roel’s feature three page Newsday ACT 2 article on June 24 on yours truly. And finally, do you remember where you were and what you were doing? I was on the phone with Danny Doyle watching TV and experienced the thrill of a lifetime early one Wednesday morning on hearing the election results. Donald J. Trump ascended to the throne, and will hopefully save our great nation from a biased media, corrupt politicians, and the fanatical liberals. Long live the King and God bless America.

A family photo celebrating the Queen’s 50th anniversary is below.

anniversary family a

On to the prediction/random thoughts. Don’t despair. There’s only 35 (short?) ones with the first 6 of a personal nature. Well here goes.

• Both Mary and I will recover fully, and will visit either Ireland or Greece to celebrate a belated 50th anniversary.
• Daughter Georgeen will be promoted to Full Professor at NJIT and Interboro Partners (her company) will have another banner year.
• Daughter Molleen will purchase a house near Yale University.
• Son Patrick will be promoted to second grade detective in the NYC Narcotics Division.
• My three new technical books will be published, and as with all my other books, simply will not sell.
• I will also complete the second edition of Basketball Coaching 101 which will unveil my umbrella offense that is sure to revolutionize offensive strategies.
• Interest in soccer and lacrosse will continue to rise. Interest in football will continue to decline primarily due to the violent nature of the sport.
• International problems with Iran, North Korea, Russia, and China will not be resolved.
• There is a reasonable chance that I will get involved in a medical project with one of my former students, Dr. Ivan Harangozo.
• Thanks to the efforts of first cousins Helen and Sandra, I will complete the Theodorakos-Kourtakis Chronicles that will feature our family tree.
• The national debt will soar this year but will recover in subsequent years.
• The main boom in the economy will come because of energy and the elimination of insane environmental regulations.
• People are coming to realize that the “climate change/global warming” scenario is nothing but a massive scam. Furthermore, NYRA’s claim that they are a non-profit organization is laughable.
• The Tea Party is alive and will be doing even better this year. The Republicans better watch their step since the swamp (this includes them) will be cleansed.
• More and more people will come to realize that FOX NEWS has buried the liberals and their distorted agenda. It will take generations for them to recover.
• Danny Doyle–former partner with Killeen’s Tavern (he robbed me blind), star of the legendary Killeen’s Tavern basketball team, former NBA Detroit Piston, and perhaps my closest friend (*#*!)–will once again somehow successfully evade being incarcerated and/or institutionalized.
• Our gang’s annual visit to Steve “The Greek” Panos will go on schedule, but with a smaller group. The toughest Greek since Alexander the Great and the people’s choice for bouncer at a Bouncer’s convention, I’ve never forgotten how he saved my life when a fight followed by a full-scale riot broke out at one of our basketball games.
• Despite my nomination, John J. “Jack” Powers will again be denied admission to Springfield’s Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. I also recently nominated Eddie Corbett, legendary collegiate official, but he absolutely has no chance.
• At least one of our guys will leave us this year. Is it OK to hope that it isn’t me?
• The Donald and BHO will soon divorce; Pence will not.
• Schumer’s 2-faced conduct will continue. I still remember when he cried because some immigrants were detained at an airport while not shedding a tear when Americans were killed. Fake news? This guy is the premier fake.
• What is the infatuation with illegal immigrants? It will unfortunately continue. I can understand the liberal democrat’s position because of their quest for power at any cost to our nation. But, many average Americans? Why is their logic so flawed? Do they not know the meaning of illegal?
• Mueller will continue to make a fool of himself; he just doesn’t understand that FOX NEWS has exposed him and his crew as biased frauds.
• The country will experience a resurgence in religion.
• I will probably find more people boring and annoying on the phone this year.
• My days in investing in the stock market are over. But, if I were an investor, the money would be directed toward Wendy’s (conservative) and Regeneron (speculative).
• Baseball will have another good year. The Yankees will be good, but not great; it’s the pitching stupid. The Mets should be something better than good; once again, it’s the pitching stupid.
• Trump will partially succeed in cleansing the swamp.
• None of the liberals, e.g., Hillary, Comey, Lerner, etc., who have broken the law, will be prosecuted.
• Twenty five years ago, I described The Hill and Bubba as “two thoroughly rotten human begins.” Took some heat then, but guess what…
• Seven years ago, I described BHO as un-American, lazy, narcissistic, and not too bright. Took some heat then, but guess what…Ditto for Michelle on the first point.
• Lying will remain a way of life for most Americans; it’s not just the liberals.
• BHO will continue his racist ramblings. He has set back race relations as if he was intent on starting a Civil War, helped place a bullseye on the back of every cop, and (interestingly) never asked Black Lives Matter to demonstrate in Chicago.
• Thanks to BHO, we now know that “the supposed untouchables” at the FBI are no longer untouchable and the Department of Justice (for whom I once served as a consultant and expert witness) would more appropriately be called the Department of Injustice.
• The concept of the NCAA’s student-athlete is perhaps the neatest scam ever perpetrated on the public. Not so fast Lou. I recently met two Manhattan College student-athletes graduates – 6’4” Russ Williams and 6’4” Chris “Smooth” Williams – who could prove me wrong. Both are authors and successful in business. Russ (Business Management) has authored “Transition Game Plan” and Chris (Liberal Arts) authored “Twenty Beautiful Men”. These were two very interesting and fascinating guys.

IMG_0107

That’s what I’m predicting and I’m sticking with it.

Visit the author at:
www.theodorenewsletter.com
or
on his Facebook page at Basketball Coaching 101

NEXT POSTINGS:
FEBRUARY 1: On Great Eats III: Greek-Edition
MARCH 1: On Baseball Managing 101
APRIL 1: On 2017-18 Hofstra Men’s Basketball Revisited
MAY 1: On the 2018 East Williston School District Budget Vote
JUNE 1: ???
JULY 1: On Purely, Chaste, Pristine and Random Thoughts XXVII

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ON HOFSTRA MEN’S BASKETBALL 2017-18 SEASON HOPE(?) SPRINGS ETERNAL

December 1, 2017

 

DECEMBER 1, 2017

A week has elapsed and Thanksgiving is now a near distant memory. It is now December. Christmas and the New Year are quickly approaching. What’s the significance? It primarily means one thing for basketball buffs in the Nassau County area: the 2017-18 Hofstra men’s basketball season has arrived.

 

Every year, at about this time (December 1), I introduce the reader to Hofstra’s Men’s Basketball Team and start the review and prediction process for the coming season. This year is no different – so here goes.

 

I begin with some comments about last year’s team. One could best describe Hofstra’s (2016-17) last season with one word: under-performance. Here is a part (bullet pointers) of what I had written earlier about last year’s team.

  • Once again (as with last year) defense was woefully weak.
  • Once again, bench help was essentially non-existent.
  • Sabathy (the reserve center) was underutilized.
  • Rokas had a disappointing season; his defense play was often missing and also had a poor shooting season.
  • Wright-Foreman emerged as a force to be reckoned with the next two years.
  • The loss of Buie could have made a difference.
  • Buie’s contribution the next three season is currently a wild card.

 

Here were my bullet pointers at that time for this season.

  • Hire an assistance coach to help reduce/eliminate defensive problems.
  • STOP playing zone; Wisconsin had several players who couldn’t guard one-on-one and yet played a solid man-to-man defense.
  • Recruit players who play stellar defense.
  • Players should understand that the magic word in defense is INTENSITY! And this is where bench help comes into play.
  • Although the team’s goal should be to win games, the ultimate goal is to win the CAA tournament – and that should be reflected in the team’s philosophy and overall preparation during the season.

 

Here is the way I see it regarding personnel this year. The three key ingredients for success remains (as with last year) Wright-Foreman, Pemberton, and Rokas. Wright-Foreman is the real thing, could be CAA player of the year this and next season, and has an outside shot to move onto the next level. Pemberton has potential, seems like a nice kid, but I question his attitude and defense. Senior Rokas is the wildcard at this point. He has significant potential but has not improved since his sophomore year; his defense and inability to make layups and foul shots appear to be problems that have not been addressed. I still like Buie and Sabathy and hope they see significant action. I believe Buie may turn out to be the heir to a long list of great guards who have performed at Mack Arena. Newcomers of merit? Forwards Augus, Radovic and Trueheart plus guards Wormsley and Ray.

 

Here’s my analysis for the team this year. They legitimately have a chance to be the premier team in the Coloniel Athletic Association (CAA). But I believe that many of my earlier concerns have carried over to this year, particularly a porous defense. I hope not. On the positive side is Coach Joe Mikalich. He has the capability of turning things around, particularly if he opts for a man-to-man defense and commits to something more than a 6-man rotation. At the time of the submission of this article, it appears Joe has committed to an 8-man rotation (possibly 10 with Ray and Trueheart) and with the team playing more man-to-man defense. And, the team’s records is 4-3, including a win against Dayton. As for predictions, it will probably be another mediocre year for three reasons:

 

  1. Their defense remains unexplainably weak, at times allowing the opposing team to take layup practice during the course of the game.
  2. The team is devoid of a shot blocker, adding to their defensive woes.
  3. Player attitude problems have surfaced.

 

Bottom Line: I’m not too optimistic; hopefully, I’m wrong. The talent is there, but….

 

And finally, it is business as usual with the NCAA and, in particular, college basketball. NCAA president Mark Emmert recently commented that “we cannot go to the next basketball season without seeing fundamental changes to the way college basketball is operated.” Really? Anybody believe him ever since the feds accused coaches, financial managers and an Adidas executive of using bribes to influence athletes’ choices of schools, shoe sponsors and agents. Nothing has been done and no one really expects anything to be done. College basketball remains corrupt and the NCAA remains corrupt. Yes, the right word is corrupt. What a shame. I still maintain that the NCAA’s concept of the student-athlete is one of the all-time great scams perpetrated on the public.

 

As noted on numerous times in the past, attending Hofstra games still remains the best sports buy in the New York Metropolitan area. There is ample free parking, the concession stands are not a rip-off, there isn’t a bad seat in the house, and its $6 for seniors and children.

 

In the meantime, the second edition of my Basketball Coaching 101 book is in the works. It will unveil my umbrella offence – the basketball offense of the future. Consider buying the book – I really do need the royalty money to help subsidize my gambling habits.

 

Visit the author at:

www.theodorenewsletter.com

or

on his Facebook page at Basketball Coaching 101

 

NEXT POSTINGS:

 

JANUARY 1:              On Professorless On-Line Education (PolE)

FEBRUARY 1:           On Purely Chaste, Pristine and Random Thoughts XXVI

MARCH 1:                 On Baseball Managing 101

APRIL 1:                     On 2017-18 Hofstra Men’s Basketball Revisited

MAY 1:                       On the 2018 East Williston School District Budget Vote

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Posted by The Theodore Newsletter

ON BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA VI

November 1, 2017

NOVEMBER 1, 2017

I guess I just can’t forget BHO. How could anyone be so dumb, un-American, lazy, and lacking in good character and common sense? His 8-year stint in office has created so many problems for our nation…many of them irreversible. He proved to be an individual lacking in conscience, a habitual liar, and unable to distinguish between his social and political fantasies with reality. BHO proved, once again, that some people (and he is one such person) simply can’t handle certain jobs.

 

Did I mention that BHO is dumb? How about our 57 states? (He must have confused the states with Heinz products.) How about Marine Corps? How about our ports all along the Gulf – places like Charleston, Savannah or Jacksonville? How about a pipeline coming down from Canada that is estimated to create about 50 permanent jobs? How about if you have a business, you didn’t build that? How about claiming that Austrian was his favorite language?

 

I do not believe that BHO is smart enough to understand that there must be law and order, along with honesty and truth. I don’t believe BHO understands that there should be an incentive to work rather than not to work. Or that a job that is created for the sake of a job (e.g., many government jobs) usually creates waste and red tape that hurts everyone, especially the poor and the young? It is obvious that Barack never took a course on economics and doesn’t understand that economics counts. Here are two oldies from the past.

 

  1. Thomas Jefferson: “Democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.”
  2. Abraham Lincoln: “You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot help people permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.”

 

On to lies. Here it is difficult to distinguish between his lies and his just simply being dumb. Here goes. “In my wildest dreams, I never thought the 787 billion dollars stimulus program would work out this well.” “I passed 900 bills in the Illinois State Senate.” (There were only 26.) “If we drilled on every square inch of our nation, we would find only 3% of the world’s oil reserves.” “Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism.” “A big part of our campaign was for Washington to live within its means.” “I don’t want government bureaucrats meddling in your health care.” “Everybody knows what is in the Health Care bill…the final provisions are going to be posted many (!*?) days before this thing passes.” “Family care physicians collect $30,000-$50,000 for foot amputations.” “I am proud that we passed the recovery plan free (there were 800) of earmarks.” “We are prepared to freeze government spending for three years.” “Since our founding, American Muslims have enriched our nation.” “Federal spending has risen at the lowest (?!*!) pace in nearly 60 years.” “The Afghan war is coming to an end; Al Qaeda is a shell of its former self.”

 

Un American? The reality is that he was in the process of destroying our military capabilities (and the free world’s) by turning it into a social experiment.  You want proof? Look at what’s going on in the Ukraine. In North Korea. In the China Seas. The same scenario will soon apply to Iran. His foreign policy was a disaster. He and our nation became the laughing stock of the world. It will take years to correct his blunders. At the national level, he choose to ignore Black Panther voting violations, supported and gave encouragement to Black Lives Matter, failed to support the police in a host of confrontations, maintained there wasn’t a “smidgen of evidence” of IRS wrongdoing under Lois Lerner (who claimed the 5th), played golf after a recent massacre, attended a baseball game after a recent massacre, encouraged the polarization of our nation, regularly failed to speak out for and support the concept of law and order, supported climate change programs that would have a devastating effect on both our economy and military, the Eric Holder disaster, played a major role in undermining free expression of ideas on college campuses, freed 5 dangerous enemies for Sgt. Bergdahl, made many decisions that went against the best interests of America, etc.

 

An egomaniac? Again, there is some overlap with BHO’s other failings. Here we go once again. “I think my initial measure of success is creating or saving 4,000,000 jobs.” “Transparency and the rule of law will be the keystone of my presidency.” “I would put our legislative and foreign policy accomplishments in our first two years against any president.” “I think I’m a better speech writer than my speechwriters.” “I’m going to act on my own; I won’t wait for Congress.” “I’m a better political director than my Political Director.” “I know more about policies for any particular issue than my policy appointees.” Add to this that he regularly failed to attend daily presidential policy meetings.

 

Corrupt? Forget the hard to believe IRS fiasco. One need only consider the recent developments with the FBI. We now know that BHO and his henchmen played a major role in compromising and corrupting the once “untouchable” FBI. Who would you trust more – the FBI or Scotland Yard? Who amongst us would feel confident and comfortable providing our now political organization with delicate information of any form? When it comes to corruption, Obama reigns.

 

I think it is really sad that the first black President failed miserably. It has to be a tough blow for some blacks. BHO conjures up thoughts of ACORN, Ron Blagojevich; Eric Holder, Lois Lerner, Jeremiah Wright, Michael P. Flager, Bill Ayers, Tony Rezko, Jim Wallis, Saul Alinsky, Czar appointments, Anita Dunn, Van Jones, Janet Napolitano, etc. And, of course, his frantic attempt to portray our nation in as negative a light as possible, despite the fact that five years ago, I wrote “BHO is the reincarnation of Neville Chamberlain.”

 

Four years ago, I wrote a series of articles that proved (in my mind) that BHO is lazy, a liar, dumb, an egomaniac, un-American, corrupt, and not trustworthy. I believe I could prove the above in a court of law. No matter what, I can say with absolute certainty that lying is a way of life for Barack. And Hillary. And, of course, Bubba. In the final analysis, it is his absolute incompetence that has destroyed his legacy, not the fact that he is black.

 

You want more? He set back the massive civil rights gains of the past century by successfully escalating racial tensions exponentially. Keep in mind that propaganda and control of information is an essential weapon of Communism. And, once a communist society is established, it is almost impossible to return to a free society. Unfortunately, Barack embraced this weapon with the support of the corrupt liberal media.

 

I wonder if BHO ever gives a thought to how he polarized us, set the nation back at least 10 years, set in place an exponential accumulation of debt, weakened our military and status in the world, and was directly responsible for the death and suffering of millions – particularly women and children – in the Middle East.

 

Summarizing, I can’t think of anything positive that can be attributed to his presidency. As I noted in an earlier article, if we, as a nation, needed an individual to weaken and possibly destroy our nation, embarrass us on the international level, discourage our allies, and encourage our enemies, that individual would be BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA.

 

 

Visit the author at:

www.theodorenewsletter.com

or

on his Facebook page at Basketball Coaching 101

 

NEXT POSTINGS:

 

DECEMBER 1:          On 2017-2018 Hofstra Men’s Basketball

JANUARY 1:              Professorless On-Line Education (POLE)

FEBRUARY 1:           On Purely Chaste, Pristine and Random Thoughts XXVI

MARCH 1:                 On Baseball Managing 101

APRIL 1:                     On 2017-18 Hofstra Men’s Basketball Revisited

MAY 1:                       One the 2018 East Williston School District

 

1 Comment | Barack Obama, Economics, Politics, Uncategorized | Permalink
Posted by The Theodore Newsletter

ON PURELY CHASTE, PRISTINE AND RANDOM THOUGHTS XXV

September 1, 2017

Sorry, but it’s time for another “random ramblings.” Here are two dozen one-liners to celebrate the silver anniversary of the “random ramblings.”

  • Just finished reading Chernow’s  Alexander Hamilton.   I recommend it.
  • Prior to “Hamilton,” I read The Last Chicago Cubs Dynasty by Hal Bock. This 2017 book is a must if you are a baseball fan. Incidentally, Hal is an East Williston resident.
  • I really miss Bill O’Reilly. His show was fair, impartial, interesting, informative and entertaining.
  • Defense plays second fiddle to offense in nearly every sport, particularly basketball.
  • I’ve become a fan of TCM (Turner Classic Movies). Can I attribute this to old age?
  • Traveling is no longer fun. Florida is the only place I look forward to going to.
  • Terry Collins (Mets) is unquestionably the worst manager in baseball. Maybe the Mets can lose the rest of their games and management will get wise and fire Collins.
  • The USEPA has thankfully come to its senses about global warming…or is it climate change?
  • A second edition of Basketball Coaching 101 is in the works and it will unveil my umbrella offense.
  • Just returned from our annual Easter visit to Sarasota, Florida. It was our 40th straight year of vacationing at the fabulous Sandcastle Resort. Unfortunately, I fractured a vertebrae slipping in the bathroom.
  • Planned on attending the Annual International Air & Waste Management Association (AWMA) Conference in Pittsburgh in June. It would have been my 50th consecutive year in a row of either presenting a technical paper or giving a seminar, or both. Unfortunately, the fractured vertebrae eliminated my travel plans.
  • Just celebrated Mary’s 50th wedding anniversary. Planned on visiting Ireland again to also celebrate Mary’s family reunion. Unfortunately, Mary fractured her femur which eliminated all travel plans. Not the best of summers for the Theodore clan.
  • Noted sports historian Arthur Lovely celebrated his 89th birthday this past April 23rd at the 4½ star restaurant L’Econtra in Astoria. The party of 8 included handsome (that’s yours truly), the irrepressible Danny Doyle, Ed “The Glider” Charles of the fabulous 1972 Mets, and TV fight analyst/former boxer Tommy Gallagher.
  • The indifference and incompetence of government officials continues to amaze me – particularly here in Nassau County.
  • The indifference and incompetence of government employees also never cease to amaze me; I could write an article on my experience with the USEPA and the Albertson Post Office.
  • I keep preaching that defense is as important as offense in basketball, and all my “expert” friends keep agreeing with me. But do they really? Other than Bill Russell (and possibly Dennis Rodman), name one Hall of Famer in Springfield who was selected for his defensive play.
  • Capitalism (along with democracy) is what has made our nation great. But there are times when capitalism has to be harnessed for the common good.
  • Liberty and freedom? Somehow, there is need to balance these against anarchy and disorder.
  • Manufacturing runs has become a lost art in baseball. Everyone is trying to hit a home run.
  • Every batter who regularly faces the infield “shift” should be required to learn how to hit to the opposite field.
  • Lost another of our gang – Zack Mehale. He was one of the good guys who made us laugh and who everybody loved. We’ve become depleted; there’s only a handful of us left.
  • Visited Saratoga in late August (my 61st straight summer visit) – NYRA’s THE place to be if you want to get ripped off. And what does that say about me?
  • A couple of people complained about my June 1 article titled “On Great Eats.”
  • I hope most of you read Ron Roel’s ACT 2 Page three page feature article about me in Newsday on June 25th. It modestly describes my successes during my illustrious career, more in next month’s posting.

 

Once again, this is the silver anniversary edition of the “random ramblings.” Thanks are due to friends, relatives, colleagues, etc., for their interest and support for this unique category of article; my indebtedness is also extended to those individuals in this group who are currently incarcerated or institutionalized.

 

Visit the author on his Facebook page Basketball Coaching 101

 

NEXT POSTINGS:

OCTOBER:                 On Newsday’s June 25 Act 2 Article

NOVEMBER:             On Barack Hussein Obama (Revisited) VI

DECEMBER:             On 2017-2018 Hofstra Men’s Basketball

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Posted by The Theodore Newsletter

ON WHEN NEW YORK CITY WAS NEW YORK CITY I

August 1, 2017

AUGUST 1, 2017

I was born in New York City in 1934 and called it home until 1970. My first 7 years was spent in the north end of Hell’s Kitchen. The next 12 years were spent in an area that is known as Lincoln Center. The final 17 years was spent in Astoria, Queens. In effect, NYC was my home for the first 36 years of my life. This tale is the first of a 2-part series concerned with New York City during that 36 year time period.

 

This first article is concerned with the 1934-1953 time period. The 1953-1970 period will be addressed in a follow-up article early next year. On to this first article.

 

I have often written that following World War II, “anything was possible” in New York City. Nothing would compare to NYC around the middle of the 20th Century. The economy was booming. Its population was primarily comprised of first, not second generation Americans of European extraction, but mostly Irish and Italians and to a lesser degree, Germans, Poles and Greeks. The City was primarily white and Catholic.  The Hamptons were some rich family living on Park Avenue.  The migration from the Caribbean had just begun. The legal drinking age was 18. We had 3 baseball teams.  The Garment District was just that.  A $0.25 toll had been instituted on the Triboro Bridge . . . for maintenance purposes!  McDonalds had arrived on the scene. TV? There was Uncle Miltie, Ed Sullivan, Danny Thomas, and my all-time favorite, Jackie Gleason. My all-time great entertainer, Louie Prima, would soon arrive on the scene. Movies? Pick one. There was also Otto Graham, Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Joe D., Willie Mays, George Mikan, etc. The GI Bill – $110 a month to attend college or $50 a week for 52 weeks. 42nd Street was, well…you know. Rockaway Beach had already been officially renamed the Irish Rivera.   The Catskill’s had been reassigned the title “The Jewish Alps” while Astoria, Queens was now a colony of Greeks.  Finally, there was The Beatles, Alan Freed, “Sha Boom,” “Earth Angel,” “Eddie, My Love,” “Mr. Sandman,” and, of course, Billy Joel’s frantic attempt to determine who indeed had started the fire.

 

But, what was life really like in NYC at that time? It would be impossible to squeeze it all into this type of article. But, I do have an earlier unedited 1995 Litmor Publication article titled “On the Stoop” which follows. Hopefully, this is a satisfactory alternative.

 

“ON THE STOOP”

(Down Memory Lane)

My friend, the writer Costas Anifantakis of Searingtown, had this to say about “the stoop” in his Volume II Issue 26, titled – the View from The Stoop:

 

“Using the word ‘stoop’ as a noun is probably unique to Old Gotham. The etymological derivative of the word is lost somewhere in the hustle and bustle of the city’s pubertal period. The brownstone exterior of eight to ten steps, known as the Stoop, might have been adopted from the fact that a pedestrian had to do just that (stoop) to negotiate an upward and forward motion simultaneously, the essence of stair ascension. The stoop served and still serves a few functions. Primarily, it is a simple architectural expedient providing access to an upper entrance to a building. It not only constitutes a convenient place to ‘hang-out,’ but also is an excellent collecting point for the latest gossip. The stoop is a cosmos where one can observe the coiling and uncoiling of the street activity, and lastly, it constitutes an athletic playing field and stickball where kids, with the aid of a pink rubber ball (a Spaldeen) can play stoopball. Stoops come in a few shades of sandstone, varying in steepness-and depth and although each has its own distinct character, they all have one thing in common: an unmatched view of the world flowing by endlessly:”

 

The stoop at 168 West 65th Street (between Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway) served as both an observatory tower and conference boardroom for me and the guys – on the south side of 65th Street during the late 1940’s. This area and the area due southwest was once described by Mayor LaGuardia as New York’s worst slum area. That area, just due north of Hell’s Kitchen, was leveled by the nefarious Robert Moses around 1950, to be replaced by what we now call Lincoln Center.

 

Here is what I remember most of the view from our stoop at 168 West 65th Street.

 

  • We lived at 170 West 65th, Street, on the third floor, next door to the stoop. I had only a 10-12 foot walk from our tenement building to the stoop.
  • Directly across the street on the north side of 65th Street was Commerce High School, essentially a non-technical School. It’s still there today.
  • Further east diagonally and adjacent to Commerce High School was the Loew’s theater, later.to be converted to a CBS TV studio. It was here that a number of Jackie Gleason’s 8 pm Saturday night shows were staged. Afternoon programs featured a beautiful and slim singer named Rosemary Clooney.
  • Due east near Broadway on our side of the block was Joe McGrath ‘s father’s bar. It was here that I would stand by the door and watch Buddy Young, Vic Raschi and Mickey Mantle. At age 17, I moved inside and was introduced to a “7 and 7”, AKA Seagram’s Seven Crown and 7-up.
  • Diagonally west across the street (on the northwest corner intersection of 65th and Amsterdam) was one of Con Edison’s generating plants.
  • Around the corner – between 64th and 65th on the east side of Amsterdam was the Open Kitchen restaurant, one of New York’s premier eateries. It featured eleven stools along the counter and three small tables squeezed into a tight space at the end of the counter. My father somehow managed to get us through the depression with this small establishment.
  • Directly across the Street from the Open Kitchen restaurant on the west side of Amsterdam was the Ederle Bros. meat and pork store. Sister Gertrude achieved fame when she became the first woman to swim the English Channel.
  • Further south and west was the “black” neighborhood. This area housed a chicken market (I think it was Kosher) and Ripley’s clothing factory. The bulk of my father’s customers were Ripley employees.
  • There was a gym teacher at Commerce High School that lunched daily at the Open Kitchen. A retired colonel, we all addressed him as Colonel Reutershan. One day, he announced in his deep resonating voice: “George, the future is in chemical engineering. Send Louis to school to get a chemical engineering education.” That’s how and why I became a chemical engineer: I really had no say in the matter. My have times changed.
  • There was a sign on the front door entrance of the Con Edison generating plant that read: Show Your Pass: Every now and then, I would mischievously meander over there at night and cover the letter “P”. Would this be classified as graffiti?
  • The terrors of the neighborhood were the gang from 63rd -Street. They beat me up twice. The first time was real bad. They had asked for my money. I only had 5 cents, but had mistakenly told them I had 15 cents.
  • The stoop’s tenement had been converted to single furnished room apartments. It housed Korean War veterans of Japanese-Hawaiian descent who were attending a dental technician school on the G.I. Bill. I remember it as a scam for both the veterans and the school. Despite this, I have nothing but positive memories of those guys. Almost to a person, they were kind, helpful and sincere people.
  • It was through the same veterans that I was introduced to prostitution, dope and gambling. I believe nearly all of them smoked the weed. Prostitutes came and went at all hours. Blackjack and dice games occurred on occasions; horse betting was a daily ritual. Fortunately, I only got involved with gambling.
  • We often pitched nickels or pennies to a wall or a crack in the sidewalk. One day I won $80, an unheard of sum in those days, pitching quarters to line on the tarred street. This started what I then called the “gambling fund,” and it has somehow managed to survive today.
  • Stickball was played without gloves (some used gloves) with one sewer as home plate and the next sewer as second base. Broomsticks served as bats and a pink spaldeen was the ball. Our team matured in my eighteenth year and I believe we won all but one of our games that summer. There was at least $100 bet on each game and our team rarely could raise more than $25. I usually was the big contributor with $5. The rest of the money was put up by the owner of the stoop’s tenement; he turned a nifty profit that summer.
  • Late one Saturday afternoon, the back door of the CBS TV studio opened and out came a group led by the great one, none other than Jackie Gleason, and Phil Foster, Jackie’s guest that night. They were all stewed to the gills and wanted to play stickball for a couple of bucks. We couldn’t believe our good fortune. It was 6-0 after 2 innings when they retired to the studio.
  • I fell in love with a girl named Patricia Pike; but as the old joke goes, she didn’t know I existed. I still have that effect on people.
  • The block was predominately Puerto Rican, but my best friend was a Cuban named Gustavo Carrion. Gus was the janitor/superintendent of our building. One of his responsibilities was feeding coal to the furnace in the basement. He picked up the nickname “Aqua Caliente” because everyone used to yell for more hot water during the winter months.
  • During the Depression and World War II years, I would go to the restaurant and ask my father for a nickel to go to the movies. I could never quite figure out why some of the other kids couldn’t go because they didn’t have, or couldn’t get, a nickel. Saturday morning was a must for me because of the weekly serial. The one I remember most was “The Adventures of Naomi.” I fell in love with her too.
  • When it came time to level our block, my father’s lawyer couldn’t appear in court to arrange for the settlement from the city for the Open Kitchen restaurant. At my father’s request, I went in his place. The judge awarded my father $750. I started yelling and the judge threatened to throw me in jail. I remember shutting my mouth immediately since I was overcome with fear. Needless to say, the lawyer received a $250 fee, leaving my father with a measly $500 and without his near lifelong business.

 

It was an eerie feeling when I returned to my earlier home and found nothing but empty space and a newly paved sidewalk. The stoop had departed, never to return – yet not to be forgotten. But times have changed and I now live in East Williston, seven miles due east of New York City,  in a house without a stoop.

 

God Bless America!

 

Note: Lincoln Center inhabits the area that housed my stoop. Our address–170 W. 65th Street–is the present address of the Lincoln Center Theatre.

 

Visit the author at:

www.theodorenewsletter.com or on his Facebook page at Basketball Coaching 101

 

NEXT POSTINGS:

 

SEPTEMBER 1:         On Purely Chaste, Pristine and Random Thoughts XXV

OCTOBER:                 On Newsday’s June Article

NOVEMBER:             On Barack Hussein Obama (Revisited) VI

DECEMBER:             On 2017-2018 Hofstra Men’s Basketball

 

5 Comments | East Williston, Education, Sports, Uncategorized | Permalink
Posted by The Theodore Newsletter

ON THE FIRST 6 MONTHS: ENTER LIES, DECEIT, MANIPULATION, HATRED, VICIOUSNESS, VINDICTIVENESS, CORRUPTION, DEPRAVITY, JEALOUSY, ETC.

July 1, 2017

 

JULY 1, 2017

Remember when the Tea Party came into existence? Their followers demonstrated peacefully, expressing their disgust with our government officials. The Liberal Democrats and the corrupt media claimed that these demonstrators were violent when they were anything but. Then the worm turned as the Liberal Democrats started demonstrating. It was peaceful at first. Then they became semi-peaceful. Then semi-violent. Then violent. Then disruptive at public places and educational institutions. Then they started demolishing. Then they started fires. Then they started shooting innocent individuals. Then they started shooting at police. And then came the numerous death threats.  And now? The assassination attempt of Conservative Republicans. And folks, it is going to get worse. But even though we do have an ace in the hole, we also have a Trump Card. And Trump will put a stop to this reprehensible conduct by Liberal Democrats. He is probably the only person in this country who can put an end to this un-American conduct.

 

Donald J. Trump was elected fair and square despite nonstop, 24-hour media reports to the contrary during the last 6 months. Further, the media – along with numerous other groups and organizations (unions, government employees, Hollywood, Democrats, Republicans, those residing in The Cesspool (or is it The Swamp?), freeloaders, etc.) – are doing everything possible to get Trump to fail and their ideology succeeded, all at the expense of our country’s best interests. In the meantime (and as promised during his campaign), here is what Trump has accomplished in the last 6 months.

  1. Moving toward a healthcare plan to replace the disastrous Obamacare. It’s not just the rest of the country getting hurt with Obamacare, even those of us in New York are getting whacked.
  2. Moving toward tax reform that will result in more money in everyone’s pockets. We do lose some benefits, but additional costs will be made up by the tax breaks. After all, the middleman (the government) has been displaced which is sure to improve our lives.
  3. Secured a conservative on the Supreme Court, assuring that it will now follow Constitutional directives rather than the ideology of the Liberal appointees. And, there will be more coming in the years ahead.
  4. The stock market is up.
  5. Border crossings are down.
  6. Law and enforcement has returned.
  7. Improved our best interests at the international level.
  8. Has unleashed our energy potential.
  9. More jobs are available and unemployment is down.
  10. Attempting to implement a travel ban.
  11. I’m sure the readers can add to this list.

 

But what about the lies, deceit…hatred…depravities, etc., referred to in the title of this article? Here is part of what I’ve extracted from my notes.

 

  1. Bob Beckel of FOX was recently fired for making an insensitive racial remark. Ever see this guy earlier? This is a pitiful human being who is full of hatred for Trump and his family. This obnoxious individual would have wound up in a fight on THE FIVE. Good riddance!
  2. Deceit and manipulation? Just read the headlines in the New York Times. It’s there every day. It’s no longer “all the news that’s fit to print.”
  3. Paris Climate Accord. I bill myself as the foremost authority in the world on environmental management. I associate with leaders and authorities in this field. And a significant majority of these individuals believe as I do; the climate scenario put forth by fanatical environmentalists is a hoax. But what about the 95% of the engineers and scientists who agree with the Paris Accord scenario? All of them need for the climate problem to exist; otherwise they’ll be out of business – no contracts, no tenure, no promotion, no grants, no books, no articles. In effect, no nothing. The Accord? Only Americans who are not too bright would sign it.
  4. Chris Mathews. A fanatic ideologist who can’t find anything positive about Trump and his policies.
  5. Rachel Maddow. She has nothing but pure hatred for Trump and his family. Pure hatred. Her smirk tell it all. A truly sick individual.
  6. Chuck Schumer. Cried when Trump announced the travel ban. Interestingly, he didn’t cry when Americans died during terrorist attacks. He also disgracefully got his fellow senators to berate Gorsuch.
  7. The Liberals. Almost all of them are not only disappointing but also scary. It’s difficult to carry on a meaningful conversation with most of them.
  8. The Media. They just don’t stop with the lies, deceit, manipulation, etc. It’s round the clock. No wonder that those who can’t think for themselves have bought into this propaganda. The media has spearheaded a near 10-month campaign to get their ideology to win and America (along with Trump) to lose.
  9. John McCain. Jealousy of Trump reigns. Lindsey Graham is also part of this club.
  10. Hillary. Attempting to rewrite history. I believe she has mental problems.
  11. Kathy Griffin. An embarrassment to every American. A loser as a comedienne who is going to have trouble getting a job as a dishwasher.
  12. Muslim Mayor of London. “There is no reason to be alarmed with police in the street.” Would you be alarmed? Folks, this is how some people think.
  13. Tackled terrorist and terrorism head on.
  14. Advocating that is OK to be critical of a fanatical religion.
  15. Attempting to get education to teach our youth to love America (as I do) instead of distorting the truth and embracing Obama and Michelle’s policy of lying about our so-called faults.
  16. Has survived the hysterical media’s madness of legitimizing the lies, manipulations, deceit, etc.
  17. Has reduced the media to a state where they will soon be immaterial.
  18. Environmentalists. See (7).
  19. Finally, here comes the Comey comedy. Would anyone in their right mind keep him on as the FBI Director. This guy is not a joke. He is a self-serving out-and-out liar. His testimony did not match a timeline, was intimidated by Loretta Lynch, and failed to prosecute Hillary. During his conversation with Trump (for which there is no proof, other than a liar’s word), he was “stunned”, “confused”, “would have reacted differently,” “not clear,” etc. Would anybody keep this guy on in a responsible position? Would anyone believe him? His political career is toast…thankfully.

 

Bottom line: The Liberal leftists Democrats are up against it. Their conduct will catch up with them. There will still be those who can’t think for themselves. But Trump will take his lumps and ultimately overcome the haters and those freeloading leftists Obama holdovers embedded in government to make us all proud of our country. Finally, I am convinced that there are forces here and abroad at work to destroy America. I am also convinced that Obama contributed mightily to this by decimating our military and increasing our debt by 10 trillion dollars with nothing to show for it.

 

Visit the author at:

www.theodorenewsletter.com or on his Facebook page at Basketball Coaching 101

 

NEXT POSTINGS:

 

AUGUST 1:                On Purely Chaste, Pristine and Random Thoughts XXV

SEPTEMBER 1:         On When New York City was New York City

OCTOBER:                 On Newsday’s June Article

NOVEMBER:             On Barack Hussein Obama (Revisited) VI

DECEMBER:             On 2017-2018 Hofstra Men’s Basketball

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ON GREAT EATS II

June 1, 2017

JUNE 1, 2017

Over two years ago (2/2015), I wrote an article titled “On Great Eats.” Since then, the newsletter has addressed topics concerned with economics, Hofstra Basketball, my book Basketball Coaching 101, Obama, Trump, school teachers, budget votes, random rantings, dieting, etc. There has been feedback with some of the more controversial articles. But the one that garnered the most interest was the “Great Eats” write-up; in fact, I’ve been bugged to write another piece on this topic.

After much deliberation, it was decided to follow-up on the first article that reviewed restaurants that I categorized as breakfast, Chinese, delicatessens, diners, fast food, Greek, hamburgers and Italian. However, based on requests from my readers, this article would primarily be on Italian restaurants. What follows is my take on Italian restaurants in Nassau County, but in particular with those in the Willistons, Mineola, Albertson, Carle Place, Roslyn, and Garden City areas. Here is my review on over two dozen of these restaurants (in alphabetical order).

  1. Angelina’s (Williston Park): Noah never offers specials or coupons and yet is a popular local restaurant. Kid-friendly and reasonably priced. The bar area is small but comfortable. A party room is available. The menu features some tasty dishes. Absolutely the best Caesar’s salad and Bolognese.
  2. Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza (Carle Place): Reasonably priced. The pizza is OK. Other features are also OK.
  3. Barosa Pizzeria and Restaurant (Mineola): Very informal. Tiny nondescript bar. Lacks the atmosphere of the original on Woodhaven Blvd but the food is above average and the price is right. Some decent specials and coupons.
  4. Cafe Baci (Westbury): Reasonably priced. A host of pasta dishes, some of which are really good. Lunch there on two occasions was a pleasant surprise.
  5. Café Formaggio (Carle Place): Upscale. Good food but pricey. Comfortable bar. Try the lasagna – nobody makes it better.
  6. California Pizza Kitchen: I got introduced to “California” in Las Vegas. Very reasonably priced but the food is average at best.
  7. Da-Angelo – Pizzeria and Restaurant (Albertson): One of my favorites. A local gem. Very informal. Very reasonably priced. Home of the original and best Grandma pizza. Thank you Angelo. Dinner specials on Monday-Wednesday were recently eliminated but excellent luncheon specials. The Bronzini is a popular dish. Lovely, friendly staff.
  8. Domino’s: I don’t patronize “fast-food” pizza joints. One of the better of its kind.
  9. Frantoni’s (Williston Park): A cut below the rest. It’s tough to make a case for this place since it is surrounded by some really good restaurants. Not for me but it is conveniently located and reasonably priced.
  10. Gino’s Pizza and Ristorante (Williston Park): Their specials earlier in the week are ok. Reasonably priced but food is fair.
  11. La Parma Restaurant (Williston Park): The family’s favorite, but not mine. Large bar area. Grossly overpriced – grossly. Food loaded with garlic.
  12. Louie’s Pizzeria (Carle Place): Their specials earlier in the week are ok. Not for me but reasonably priced.
  13. Luigi’s Pizzeria of Mineola: Reasonably priced but food is fair at best.
  14. Maggiano’s Little Italy (Garden City): Food is good and the price is reasonable. Lots of specials and coupons. Worth considering.
  15. Mama Theresa’s Pizzeria (New Hyde Park):   I haven’t been there in years but it is popular. The pizza is good and dinner menu is ok. Reasonably priced.
  16. Matteo’s Restaurant (Roslyn Heights):   Upscale and expensive. Family style. Recent price increase have taken this restaurant off my radar screen.
  17. 17.Olive Garden:   Only for those who don’t know a good Italian dish. Very reasonably priced.
  18. Papa John’s Pizza:   Don’t even think of going there.
  19. Piccolo Bussola (Mineola):   Some good specials. Upscale. A bit on the expensive side but food is good.
  20. Pizza Hut: Not for me but one of the better “fast food” places.
  21. Positano Pizzeria Ristorante (Williston Park): My wife’s favorite spot. Excellent pizza. Reasonably priced. Claustrophobic environment and poor service.
  22. Pompei Restaurant (West Hempstead): I haven’t been there in years. Once a premiere restaurant with excellent service.
  23. Stella Ristorante (Floral Park):   Our favorite restaurant decades ago. I haven’t been there in years but I remember the food and service were excellent.
  24. 24.   Umberto Pizzeria & Restaurant (New Hyde Park):   Perhaps the best. Prices reasonable. Pizza very good. The chicken rollatini is to die for. Service is significantly sub-par.
  25. Vincent’s Clam Bar (Carle Place): Consistently voted the best restaurant. Jammed on weekends and some weeknights. Try the meatball appetizer (free with coupon) and the Caesar’s salad. Their $35 takeout family meal (M – Th) is the bargain of all bargains. Reasonably priced. Excellent $10 luncheon. Numerous coupons add to its “glamour.” However, it is much too noisy and the tight seating is not to my liking.
  26. Vincent’s Pizzeria & Restaurant (Albertson):   Absolutely the best pizza anywhere; no other pizza compares to theirs. Pricier than others but well worth it. I’m not a fan of their standard restaurant menu. Hopefully, Silvio and Ray will change that in the future.

Relative to the other categories of restaurants, everything else is pretty much the same. Jade King remains the King of the Chinese list (and still grossly overpriced) and the Old Westbury Diner – run by the Dimas family – is in a class by itself. IHOP is still the place for breakfast. The only positive addition to the old list would be Chipotle (Mexican).

I hope the above helps. Happy Eating!

Visit the author at:

www.theodorenewsletter.com or on his Facebook page at Basketball Coaching 101

 

NEXT POSTINGS:

 

JULY 1:                      On Six Months Later

AUGUST 1:                On Purely Chaste, Pristine and Random Thoughts XXV

SEPTEMBER 1:         On When New York City was New York City

 

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