Hurricane Season Means Being Prepared.

The Calm Before the Storm? 

There's a Lull as Long Island--and the East Coast--Begins to Brace Itself, Getting the Word Out to Prepare for the Next Big Hurricane. 

Things are pretty calm on and around Long Island now. The bright sun has been out and it's predicted to be beautifully sunny for the next few days. Mild summer temperatures will mean another week of terrific summery weather.

Sounds great, right?

Slowly but surely, the utilities and the retailers are pausing. They've heard about the havoc-- the over hundred mile wind and rain damage that Hurricane force winds can cause far south in the Caribbean, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico, to name a few.

It was just a couple of days ago that gas stations were reducing prices to levels we haven't seen awhile. Reducing prices even in anticipation of a busier than usual Labor Day weekend travel period.

But Hurricanes to come are still causing businesses on Long Island as well as up and down the East Coast, to review their plans, adjust their pricing and prepare for the hordes of shoppers that would begin to trickle in before the flood begins.

Remember the quick tornado-like storms that hit Long Island and other areas in recent years?  Remember how most people weren't prepared? Remember how Tree Services seemed to come out of the woodwork?

This time, with the hurricane seasonal clock ticking, and even though the professional weather forecasters are being conservative, eyes on future storms are being watched. On Long Island in particular, the main utility, PSE&G is reminding people g that the time to prepare is now. Storm preparation brochures are ready. The utility websites offer plans and suggestions about what to do in the event that the hurricane hits. Information and instructions are being distributed.

In the event of any potential evacuation, we'd be advised to fill up our gas tanks--so much for short or no lines. Fill up ASAP before any storm even gets close.

Town governments are making sure that they are prepared for the unexpected, making sure, for example, their reverse calling programs are in place to notify area residents with recorded updates. Local governments are also checking into opening evacuation centers in schools and other facilities where available.

Terms like Offices of Emergency Management take on significant importance as the hours move toward any potential devastating rain pattern.

Batteries, flashlights, bottled water, canned food supplies, pet supplies, contact information, changes of clothes...anything you can think of that you would need in an emergency is worth seriously thinking about getting right now.

Radio stations, TV stations, newspapers and in today's instant news information arena-websites, tweets and emails are taking this all very seriously.

When people say that Long Island in particular is due for a major blockbuster hurricane, one has to wonder if Sandy was the big one or if there's another one heading our way in the days or weeks to come.

Stay tuned. And stay safe.

A Tribute to Robin Williams by Billy Crystal to Highlight The Emmy Awards.

Why the Real Winner of the NBC's Emmy Award Show is 'In Memoriam' and Not 'Modern Family' or even 'Mad Men'.

Before there was television on the Internet, or on an iPhone or iPad, in fact, before there was TV on Hulu, You Tube, DVRs, CDs and even video cassette recorders, there was simply television on a little home TV screen.

Usually, with no remote control.

Maybe you remember early black & white, and/or maybe you can even remember the early days of color television. Anyone who grew up with television knows how many people--TV stars and non-stars alike--have combined to make the TV we've watched through the years so enjoyable.

Many of the countless number of people who made TV come alive for us are still around, even if they're not regulars on today's TV screens. But unfortunately, many people who made our TV watching moments wonderful have sadly left us.  Remembering and reminiscing about the current as well as the golden days of television is an ongoing joy.

But every year, and including this year's Emmy Award show on NBC Monday night, the touching segment titled 'In Memoriam' is the show's real winner because it gives us an opportunity to sadly look back and remember when times were different.

A tribute to comedian/actor Robin Williams by Billy Crystal has already been set for the upcoming Emmy extravaganza.  A few years ago, the 'In Memoriam' segment opened with a touching introduction by the singer Jewel who sang a moving song she wrote called "Shape of You."

Her song was dedicated to a friend who died of cancer. During her beautiful vocal rendition, videos and photo stills of some of the many people in the television industry who died over the past year were shown on the screen. And they were flashed in ways that we could easily reminisce and remember them by.

On the Emmy program that year, Soupy Sales wasn't doing 'The Mouse' but as we say, nobody took a pie in the face better than Soupy did.

Fess Parker was Davy Crockett and I don't know whatever happened to my coonskin cap.

Roy Disney was Walt's brother but even in his more famous brother's shadow, Roy made so many children throughout the world active participants in his World and Land.

Peter Graves had many famous roles but none better to me than Fury.

Art Linkletter proved that kids could say the darndest things.

Rue McClanahan was a real golden girl.

Dixie Carter was a true woman of design.

Gary Coleman was known for one great line ('what ya' talkin' about, Willis?), one terrific show and one sad life.

Jimmy Dean, Cory Haim, Brittany Murphy, Robert Culp, John Forsythe and sadly, others were remembered in memoriam, and in gratitude for everything they did to make television picture perfect.

While honoring the nominees and winners like "Mad Men", "Modern Family"and others, it was great to look back and remember. With a Robin Williams tribute and others In Memoriam, this year's program will be memorable as well.

Visiting City Island in New York City.

City Island: Come to Enjoy, Explore and Eat in This New York City Coastal Village Just 45 Minutes from Broadway

There's no shortage of interesting places you can escape to for fun when you are anywhere in the New York City metropolitan area.

Have just a few hours but maybe want to feel like you've been away for much longer?

Itching for a close-to-home day trip or 'staycation' that's easy on the wallet?

Want an island trip with magnificent views, great food and coastal mansions?

Have we got an island for you! It's a New York city island appropriately named City Island.

Don't call it the Bronx even though you are 100% in the Bronx when you're in City Island. This place has more of a New England fishing village, coastal community feel than anything you'll see off the Cross Bronx Expressway.

Easy public transportation will take you right into the heart of City Island. Come by car and as soon as you get off of I-95 at Exit 8B, you'll enter the park-like setting of Shore Road and after passing through a European-style roundabout, you're on City Island Avenue, crossing a small bridge (free), and heading down the main street.

Drive to City Island and you can stop pretty much anywhere its legal and park free. But if you head all the way down to the area near the end of the Avenue, you'll have a great base to park and walk. If you're not driving, it's easy to come by public transportation, too. Take the subway #6 train to Pelham Park and transfer to the BX29 bus direct to the Island and get off anywhere you want to walk, view or dine.

City Island is an easy walker's delight. You can't get lost because there's one main road and you can only go a block or two in each direction east or west.

It looks like the area hasn't changed in decades if not longer.

Want to pretend to buy a boat or maybe even boating equipment? There are boating businesses on the Island for that.

Want a great view after you're gone? Not to be morbid, but make sure you spend time visiting the Pelham Cemetery. The main gate is closed but one of the side gates has a sign that says it's open until 5PM every day. Go in and explore hundred year old stones in what may be some of the best views from any cemetery around.

Just over a block away on Fordham Street is the City Island Nautical Museum. It used to be a school but now features small historical exhibits of the Island. But it's only open on Saturdays and Sundays.

Ready for more great views? Head off City Island Avenue one block and you'll see some of the best vista views anywhere in New York. The classic homes and waterfront mansions you'll see just seem to compete with the stunning views of Long Island Sound and New York City. Enjoy the sunset and make sure your camera is handy.

Hungry? Dining on City Island will fill your stomach with options that stay on a budget or seemingly can be budget busting.

You'll find everything from fish 'n chips to Chinese to burger and fries.

At the end of the Island is a pair of family-friendly budget options where you can stuff yourself on everything from fried sole and corn on the cob to other seafood, sandwich and burger options. Sit outside on the picnic tables with your cafeteria-style meal and enjoy more stunning views. Step up to the water and put a quarter into the binoculars on the pier and on a clear day you can see forever...all the way across Long Island Sound to the Gold Coast of Kings Point, the Steppingstone Lighthouse and the Merchant Marine Academy.

For a little more formal dining, a block up the street from the pier is Sammy's Fish Box Restaurant and its sister Sammy's Shrimp Box Restaurant. Both places pack in the crowds with delicious food and huge, make that gigantic portions.

Spend an easy vacation day exploring City Island and you'll be filled both in body and spirit.

A Variety Show of Flavors at Ralph's Italian Ices.

So Many Flavors to Choose from at Ralph's Italian Ices

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions. Italian Ices Come in Such a Variety of Fresh Flavor Choices, Please Keep the Line Moving.

Remember when the Good Humor ice cream truck rolled down your block ringing the bells? As the advertising jingle said, "I'm the friendly man who sells Good Humor, the ice cream kids all favor..."

When the white-suited "friendly man" stopped his clean white truck, the choice was simple for me-a Toasted Almond Good Humor. Until one year, when there was a special flavor which became a permanent addition-- a Strawberry Shortcake Good Humor. From that point on, I had to make a decision between those two choices.

I couldn't help thinking about tough decisions like that when we stopped at the Ralph's Italian Ices store nearby.

I've been to a number of Ralph's locations through the years and have nothing but positive things to say. After all, with the kind of  summer we've all endured, what can be better than a refreshing super cool cup of ices.

The larger sized Ralph's packaging makes reference to the historical story behind the company saying that in 1928, a man by the name of Ralph Silvestro began his Italian ice business. Company owned locations and franchising have brought the Ralph's Italian Ice concept to Long Island, Staten Island, Queens and New Jersey.

But before you step up to the counter to be served by one of the friendly group of young men and women you have to make the kind of decision that this Good Humor fan never had to do.

What a selection! It's a literal variety show of choices! No complaints of course, just stand and face the flavor menu board (try not to hold up the busy line) and take your pick of flavorful names from Apple Crisp (delicious) to Watermelon to Orange Cream (sooo delicious) to Mint Chocolate, Lime, Mai Tai, Margarita and more and more. You can also choose from some No Sugar Added Fat Free options.

Of course you don't have to settle for just one flavor in your order. Depending on the size of your serving, you can add multi-flavors ...4 scoop choices in a pint-sized.

So it doesn't matter if the huge list of Ralph's flavors goes waaaaay beyond a Good Humor Toasted Almond or a Strawberry Shortcake.

You can't go wrong. Making your Ralph's Ices flavor choice is simply one delicious decision.

Nassau County Museum of Art

How to Visit the Nassau County Museum of Art and Explore Its 145 Acres of Natural Beauty and Artistic Splendor

Welcome to a personal or family day trip filled with natural and artistic beauty.

Forty-five minutes from Broadway--or just over an hour from the Hamptons--is a Long Island showpiece that's worth every New York traveler's easy detour off the Long Island Expressway or the Northern State Parkway.

It's the peaceful but vibrant Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn, Long Island.

As you head off Northern Boulevard into the 145 acre complex, you are immediately taken in by the majestic splendor of what you see. Sculpture and gardens frame the park-like setting that houses a number of buildings including a brick mansion which serves as the main part of the Museum.

There's always a wonderful exhibit worth seeing. Recently one was titled "The Sea Around Us." The name is based on the Rachel Carson book and the rich exhibition will fill you with wonder as you explore the artistic majesty and subject matter that powerful bodies of water give to one artist after another.

Visions of works by Childe Hassam, Red Grooms, Claude Monet, Louis Comfort Tiffany, N.C. and James Wyeth and others splash onto you in a fascination of American and European artistic styles.

As if this wonderful exhibit wasn't enough, you'll want to leave time to explore the magnificent outdoor sculpture gardens where you can take in over 30 works of wonder that are strategically placed throughout the estate. A short walk will also take you to the fabulous Tee Ridder Miniatures Museum where you and your family will be mesmerized by the miniature collection of doll houses and the display of 26 decorated rooms filled with everything from miniature tables and chairs and furniture, each perfectly designed down to the tiniest details.

Back at the main mansion museum by the way, you can visit a wonderful Gift Shop on the 1st floor. The Miniature exhibit has its own shop as well. There's also a small but inviting restaurant.

You'll also want to pick up a free guide "Walking the Trails" which vividly describes the eight marked nature trails that you can explore during your visit.

Finally, in what may be the only exhibit of its kind, hidden on the 2^nd floor  is a small exhibition of contemporary art. 

Is a Colonoscopy in Your Future?

So You're Having a Colonoscopy? How to Get Ready and Prepare for the Big Day with Your Doctor, Gastroenterologist and Movi-Prep

So you're having - or are thinking of having -- a colonoscopy.

Time to sit back and think about some of the things you'll be in for.

Scheduling a colonoscopy is enough to make any grownup squirm, and why not?

The thought of what's ahead is anything but fun and games.

Chances are, following a regularly scheduled medical check-up, your doctor and you agree that the time has come (again) for a colonoscopy. A date is set and an appointment is arranged with your G-Man (your Gastroenterologist).

Your G-Man is the doctor who will take an inside look at the health of your colon. Because when it comes to proving that you have a nice, healthy colon, seeing is believing.

Part of the G-Man's job is to help you prepare or prep for the big day. When you meet with him, he will no doubt give you prep material to read and probably a prescription to fill. And wait 'til you hear about that prescription.

Leading up to your big day, you'll be doing a lot of thinking. But that's nothing compared to what awaits you the day before your appointment. That's your big day of preparation.

Prep time is unlike any other time in your life because you have to cleanse your colon of everything you can imagine that has been passing through it. Getting it nice and clean means that your G-Man can do his job and take a good, long, hard look at every foot of your colon.

So to help you prep and clean your colon out, you are told what NOT to eat (everything good and delicious) and what to eat (only certain liquids). But on top of the water, chicken broth, apple juice, sport drinks like Gatorade and Jello (but not red Jello), you have a prescription for a laxative-type product.

Maybe your prescription will be for something called Movi-Prep. Yes, Movi-Prep.

Now, if I was going to creatively name a product whose only job is to clean out your colon, naming a product that sounds like something to do with the enjoyment of watching movies would not be my first choice.

Let's see now-if the product was filled with different kinds of cosmetics and make-up, and it could be used by leading Hollywood actors and actresses-yes, that could be called Movi-Prep!

Or perhaps you could be looking at a web site that's dedicated to just showing terrific trailers of major motion pictures so you can decide which film you want to see or rent-yes, that, too, could be named Movi-Prep!

No, my friends. Your Movi-Prep is giant box (it takes two hands to hold it) filled with powdery white stuff that you mix together with water into a plastic liter container and try to drink 8 ounces at a time until all 64 ounces have entered your body. The taste is...indescribable...with a hint of lemon...but nothing like lemonade.

You complete your Movi-Prep regimen and faster than you can say, "Movi-Prep is not for Hollywood Starlets", Movi-Prep goes to work, preparing your body for the big day-cleansing it out like there's no tomorrow. Everything is going, going, gone, a runaway hit, so to speak.

Following your rough and tumble day of Movi-Prep and Poop, you arrive at the medical facility where your Gastroenterologist is waiting. Perhaps you, too, will notice that the first sign when you get off the elevator says, "Restroom." And that was even before you even checked in.

From here on in, everything runs like clockwork. A team of happy nurses say things like "How's your day?" "When did you last eat?" "How was your last stool?" "Who did you bring today to take you home?"

They ask you medical questions and, oh, "Please take everything off and put it all in this plastic bag--you can leave those nice argyle socks on." They say things like "Put on this gown and leave the back open."

Soon, a pleasant gentleman comes in and introduces himself as the anesthesiologist...your A-Man. He's your friend because he helps put you to sleep...the sooner the better. Pleasant dreams...not.

But before you're A-Man sends you off into dreamland, your G-Man comes in, says a few things, asks some questions, and then...

And then...it's over. It's really over. You probably don't even remember a thing. You are awakened by the A-Man and the happy nurses and then the gastroenterologist returns telling you how it all went and what the next steps are... maybe even telling you when you schedule your next colonoscopy.

Later in the day or evening, you may even get a reassuring phone call from your doctor to ask how you are doing.

So you are having a colonoscopy. Good.

And good luck.

Reminiscing Woodstock.

Woodstock Memories: How Digital E-Book Publishing Turned a Struggling Writer into a Published Author

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I had never heard the name of author Steven Jay Griffel before. Maybe you never heard of him either.

But awhile back,  I had an opportunity to listen to him interestingly describe how he went from a struggling non-published book writer with a three decade publishing industry career to a published digital e-book author.

There has certainly been no shortage of stories about the struggling publishing and book store industry. From the loss of independent shops to the difficulties faced by brand names like Barnes & Noble, marketing of the printed book and the challenges faced by authors other than the top names, are today, difficult at best.

But the interesting story told by Griffel put a positive spin on a rough and competitive industry.

He tells his personal tale of struggle and rejection from book publishers, even though his career path and industry contacts could have made that path a bit easier to navigate.

Then lo and behold, words like Kindle, Nook and iPad enter the lexicon of the writer and the book industry. Electronic publishing builds and the digital revolution takes this writer from a traditional path to the unconventional.

It's not just the ultimate publication of his novel, titled "Forty Years Later," that made for the fascinating lecture and story of triumph; it's his own marketing perseverance and non-traditional approaches as he describes his book as a drama of Baby Boomer memories and the 1969 Woodstock era.

Although his book is only available as an e-book, Griffel was prepared for the questions about traditional book signings as a marketing tool. He has been a speaker not only on Long Island but at the New York Public Library as well and offers signed photographs of the book's cover to anyone who wants one.

In addition, he has marketed his book by generating local newspaper press coverage.

Perhaps additional marketing opportunities of Griffel's Woodstock story could be done through the Woodstock era Museum at Bethal Woods as well as in the town of Woodstock and surrounding areas itself.

Of course, this year's 45th anniversary celebration of the infamous Woodstock concert offered a number of media opportunities. No doubt leading up to the 50th anniversary year will create a lot of Woodstock media excitement.  But at least for me, Griffel's "Forty Years After" gave the chance to reminisce again.