Didja Know

1. Kenneth Bone, the nerdy undecided voter in a red pullover, who questioned the presidential candidates on their energy policies in the October debate, became an instant internet hero, appeared on Jimmy Kimmel and received an offer to star in a porn film.

2. An Alabama man revealed in a widely shared Facebook post his deep regret for getting a “Feel the Bern” tattoo on his penis to support presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. “It seemed like a good idea at the time,” Joshua Hughes said.

3. Iraq’s Transport Minister has claimed his country’s new airport will be built on the site of a Sumerian spaceport built by aliens 7,000 years ago. At a press conference, Kazern Finjan told journalists that ancient Sumerians were extraterrestrials who interbred with earthlings and used the site in southern Iraq for trips to and from the stars.

4. Ancient Roman coins have been discovered in the ruins of a medieval Japanese castle — and no one knows how they got there. Engraved with a portrait of the 4th-century Roman emperor Constantine the Great, the 5 copper coins were found in Katsuren Castle, which was built on Okinawa in the 13th century.

5. Samsung said that it is ceasing production of its explosion-prone Galaxy Note 7 smartphone just 6 weeks after the device went on sale.

6. “YOLO,” an acronym for “you only live once,” was officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary. Other new entries include “splendiferous,” “gender-bender,” and “moobs,” used to describe unusually large male breasts.

7. Alabama officials implemented a new policy that will punish borrowers who fail to return library materials with up to 30 days in jail. A library official noted that $200,000 worth of books and DVDs haven’t been returned.

8. Amtrack responded to a passenger who was stuck in one of its elevators 7 months ago. “We’re sorry to hear that,” the company tweeted to the tweet sent by Amanda Carpenter. “Are you still in the elevator?”

9. A Kansas man allegedly robbed a bank at gunpoint because he preferred being in jail to going home to his wife. Police said that after Larry Ripple, 70, stole $3,000 from a Kansas City branch, he sat down in the bank’s lobby and told a security guard, “I’m the guy you’re looking for.” He was charged with bank robbery and released; it is not known if he went home to his wife

10. Problem with smelly footwear’? Put a tea bag in your shoe. It’s a great way to reduce odor in sneakers and other shoes. The tea bags absorb the moisture and the smell.




Bleacher Seats Splinters

With one enormous glass ceiling finally shattered by women last month, it’s time to break down the last remaining one: understanding why men love sports so much.

So this is to you, my fair ladies, who have spent your lives sometimes perplexed, sometimes angry and often feeling isolated as your husband/son/father/grandfather spent seemingly every free second of their lives sitting in an easy chair or a couch in front of a TV, watching other men running around chasing, throwing or hitting different shaped balls … or each other.

The inspiration for this journey, which frankly discloses my own behavior for decades as well as literally hundreds of other men I’ve known, was the seventh game of last month’s World Series, won by the Chicago Cubs over the Cleveland Indians.

The Series didn’t evoke strong emotions for me because it was played between 2 teams I neither root for or against. Most of the first 6 games were long and boring. But the 7th game built to a crescendo that captivated and satisfied as the experience spread from late into the night into early the next morning.

This game had an epic comeback to tie the game by the Indians in a no-hope-at-all situation. Ninth-inning heroics didn’t materialize. As the game went into extra innings, as if the fans needed a pause to reset their emotions, heavy rain started falling and the game was delayed. When it restarted, Chicago scored twice and the hero was a mostly anonymous pinch-runner whose smarts and hustle led to 2 runs. The Indians didn’t go quietly and pushed a run across before finally dying heroically.

For Chicagoans, it ended a 108-year drought without a World Series title, setting off massive emotional celebrations that you didn’t have to be a Cubs fan to understand and appreciate. And thus this event is prototypical of why sports reflects the human spirit and we men sit in the easy chair or on the couch waiting for the next magical moment.

Let me break down the reasons why, so you better understand:

1. It’s real. Sports is reality television at its best. It’s in real time. No scripts. No directors. The outcome is final and fulfilling.

2. It’s human. The experience of playing sports is universal. While almost all of us cannot compete at that level, we all understand and appreciate the skills on display. We understand the elation of victory and the harshness of defeat. All events include mistakes made by the players, the coaches, the referees and even the announcers.

3. It’s our heritage. Most of us religiously root for the teams our parents and grandparents rooted for. Most of us pass that passion down to the next generation. And thus we are connected to the past and the future.

4. It’s historic. Few of the events we watch are on the epic level of a World Series 7th game. But collectively, every game we watch can create an emotion or a memory. A seemingly mundane event can turn significant with a fantastic finish, a never- seen-before play or a long-standing record broken.

5. It’s exciting. When I watch sports, most often I’m quiet no matter what the situation. If I yell, it’s generally at an incompetent referee or TV announcer.

But inside I get insanely nervous. I’ve been with others who constantly yell at the TV over almost every play. No matter how you display your passion the need to feel passion is addictive and doesn’t fade as you age.

6. It’s a path to communication. In my experience, women are more likely to connect more quickly, more openly and more easily than men. Sports is one of the simplest ways for men to bond and sometimes the only way.

So, the next time you look at a favorite man sitting transfixed on the TV and you know it’s a hopeless task to try to reach him, at least you’ll know why. But you should ask yourself, would it be so bad to join him?

If you want to give it a try, here’s my advice. Just learn the basics. You probably know most of them already. Don’t concern yourself with knowing intricate rules and strategies. You don’t have to know the infield fly rule (baseball) or the pick and roll (basketball). You can always learn in the future with his guidance.

Do concern yourself with the human element of sports. Learn about the players and the coaches; knowing their strengths and weaknesses, their back stories, their accomplishments and setbacks and seeing how they perform is what makes each game special.

I used to detest the sport of soccer as boring and repetitive. Seven years ago I started following Inter Milan and became as passionate about the team as any other I’ve rooted for. I don’t like the sport much more than I used to but I watch it regularly. I got to know the players. I can judge when they do well and do poorly. I even care enough to yell at the referees and the announcers.

I just don’t know anybody at Aberdeen who’ll watch it with me. But you don’t have that problem.

You don’t need to spend another weekend afternoon alone. Get your own easy chair. Grab a seat on the couch. Yell or don’t yell at the TV. Let yourself get nervous. You’ve already found your passion, so go sit next to him.




Bridge – Try It, You’ll Like It

Continuing with the theme of having fun this season, I was playing a game of social bridge with my wife, Leslie, our son, David, and his wife Cassi. Cassi and I were partners. David and Cassi are relatively new to bridge, but they both know most of the popular bridge conventions. David is a very disciplined engineer with a solid math background and a very conventional (no pun intended) bridge player, just like his mother. For the most part, he knows, understands, and follows all the rules. Cassi, on the other hand, like me, stretches the rules and takes unconventional (though well thought out) risks from time to time.

So, Cassi picks up this hand:
♠ Q 10 4 3
♥ K 9 3 2
♦ J 6 5 3
♣ 8

I open 1 No Trump. Now Cassi knows full well she needs 8 points or more to bid the Stayman Convention … but she only has 6. But, being Cassi, she says to herself … what could go wrong if I bid 2♣? If my partner has 4 Spades, great. If he has 4 Hearts, also great. If either of these is true, he will bid at the 2 level and I will PASS.

But, what if he doesn’t have a 4-card major? Well, he is obligated to bid 2♦ … also great. If he doesn’t have a 4 card major, he is likely to have Diamonds. He cannot PASS, so I cannot be left in a terrible 2♣ contract. So, Cassi, without realizing it, re-invents the Garbage Stayman bid. I happen to have 4♥, so I bid 2♥ and Cassie PASSES.

I gave Cassi one of my infamous facial expressions, suggesting that she must have made an error. She knows that I have, on the average, 16 points and she must have at least 8, so I’m about to reprimand her for not bidding at least 2 NT or 3♥ to see if there is a game possiibility when she puts down her hand.

When I see the hand, instead of reprimanding her, I congratulate her on using the Garbage Stayman convention which, by the way, she never heard of.

So, let’s review this convention.

Your partner opens 1 No Trump and the opponent Passes. If you hold 4♠, 4♥, 4♦, and 1♣ or alternatively, 4♠, 4♥ and 5♦ and have 7 points or less, you bid 2♣.

Generally speaking, holding a singleton or a void, you will be better off in a suit contract rather than No Trump.Whatever your partner bids next, you PASS. It’s a rare occurrence, but does pop up from time to time.

Let’s look at a couple hands that might be suitable for this convention.

screen-shot-2016-12-05-at-2-38-25-pm

Never use this convention if you have 5♠ or 5♥ since a transfer bid will usually turn out better.




Trivia

[wptab name=’Questions’]

  1. Only 14 miles apart, which 2 sports have Halls of Fame in Cooperstown and Oneonta?
  2. What famous suffragette said, “Bicycling has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world”?
  3. What sport became part of the Olympics at the 1998 Nagano Games?
  4. Who overcame a childhood case of polio to become widely regarded as the greatest golfer of all time?
  5. What U.S. city is known as the birthplace of baseball?
  6. How many goals does a hockey player have to score for it to be called a “hat trick”?
  7. When boxing in the Olympics, how many rounds do competitors go?
  8. What is the only Grand Slam tournament played on a clay court?
  9. How many games were played in the 2016 World Series and who won?
  10. In the U.S., the term Triple Crown usually refers to thoroughbred horse racing, consisting of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and what third race?

[/wptab]

[wptab name=’Answers’]

  1. Baseball and Soccer
  2. Susan B. Anthony
  3. Snowboarding
  4. Jack Nicklaus
  5. Hoboken
  6. 3
  7. 4
  8. French Open
  9. Chicago Cubs and 7
  10. The Belmont Stakes

[/wptab]

[end_wptabset]




“It’s Happening” at the Pap Corp

One of the best reports we can give at this time about the Pap Corps is that the Sylvester Institute (sponsored by the Pap Corps) is attracting more unique and experienced doctors than ever before. Our goal, of course to find a cure for cancer in our lifetime.

Right now, we have at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center of the Miller School of Medicine, U. of Miami, the only pancreatic institute in the entire state of Florida. Our physician researcher, Dr. Ashok Saluja, is Sylvester’s Pancreatic Research’s Inaugural Director. He has not 1 or 2 but was given 5 grants to do Pancreatic Cancer Research. He was at Harvard for 20 years and UMA Medical School’s Professor of surgery. Renowned for his work on the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer, Dr. Saluja has drawn 25 skilled and able assistant researchers from all over the world to help him in his effort. Sylvester is ranked #1 in the country for studies in this field and we are very proud to have gained the reputation of being a competitive comprehensive cancer facility.

We have a #1 ranked facility here in Deerfield Beach but also have satellites in Miami, Kendall, Plantation, Hollywood, and a new one in Coral Gables. Deerfield’s Sylvester is presently starting to expand its services to include all the areas of research presently being done at Jackson/Miami.

Enabled through donations, Sylvester purchased another building next door and will have 2 pharmacies: one for research and one to take care of all the various treatments that might be needed. The coordinator in this effort is Kathryn Bailey. She is in charge of outreach into communities to bring local doctors to Deerfield at least once a week as well as coordinating second opinions for those patients who would like one. Kathryn is currently the Executive Director of ambulatory oncology.

The statistics for contracting cancer are high, but early detection and the advanced research, which has put our Southern Florida Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer center at the forefront of research and treatment in the country, ranked #4 in the country, and #1 in Florida, places our survival rates as good if not better than other major institutions. With the enlarged center in Deerfield Beach, you will no longer have to travel to Miami to get the help you or your loved ones may need.

For more information, please contact Lisa Weinstein, Aberdeen Pap Chapter President.




Brittany Lakes

One of my favorite activities in Aberdeen is sitting in our den, looking out at the palm trees and the lake in our back yard.

We came back home 3 days ago and it is as beautiful as I remember.

Our visit this past summer with family and friends in NY was wonderful, but coming home, it was the icing on the cake. Having our grandson sleep over each weekend, going to the park, and eating pizza at Gino’s, was a wonderful routine, but, Jack could not wait to get back to playing Stickball. When we are in Aberdeen we miss our NY friends, and when we are in NY we miss everyone in Aberdeen.

I have to admit, we get to eat a great deal no matter where we are.

Another day in paradise. Sunshine, sitting by the pool, waling under the palm trees, tai chi, book club, opera, movies, more food, political discussions, celebrations, family and friends visits, golf and tennis, afternoon naps, and so much more.

We wish you all good health and happiness and hope you all enjoy your time together. Join our family as we enjoy this amazing way of life.




Addison Green News

We are excited to announce the addition of 10 new families to our 140-home neighborhood and are glad they have chosen to layout their welcome mats here! Jim and I are new to Addison and we are loving our new home and our friendly neighbors. Lexi and Chloe have made many friends too. Snowbirds are returning slowly as evidenced by newspapers and cars in the driveways.

The October Ladies Birthday celebration had 180 attendees and many of our new Addison ladies are among the best dancers and revelers in Aberdeen.

January 2017 will see the start of the house-painting schedule; 30 homes will be repainted at a time, on a rotating basis. Much work is being done on the privacy wall bordering Gateway, with repairs, power washing and painting in the plans.

Comcast has begun laying underground cable which will eventually provide faster internet service.

The Addison HOA and homeowners take great pride in the beautification of our community. We even have our own bicycle security peddling throughout our neighborhood, thanks Mr. and Mrs. Vitale.




Sterling Lakers

By: Sheila Hyman Well, by now, all you “birds” and “flakes” should be here. We did miss you!

Firstly, I’d like to wish happy birthday to Ellie Newman and Honey Karasyk.

New residents, please let me know your birthday month, so I can add you to our birthday list.

We have another new resident. My goodness, are we changing our neighbors fast! Welcome to Joel and Judy Lukow.

Get better wishes to Dot Shaker. She is the true bionic woman. Get better wishes also to Ellie Newman. She is running 2nd place to Dot as a bionic woman. And last but not least, good health wishes to our own Stan Cohen.

Just a bit of news from me. I went to the 75th birthday celebration of my high school in Brooklyn, NY., Midwood High! We spent the morning at the school seeing all that was new and old. The chorus sang the old and “new” alma maters. Midwood is still the only HS in NYC that has a program that continues from the past. Students can go to that school by application as well as community residence. Boy, are they growing the girls big and beautiful now! I believe Midwood was the birth of ‘SING’. We produced many famous people in the music field as well as in comedy and literature. The evening festivities were held at a hall in Park Slope. 400 people attended, a great turnout! There may be about 10 or more graduates from Midwood living in Aberdeen, but I was the only who went to the celebration.

If you have any news to share, please e-mail it to me; that is how I get the info to put into this article. Also, if you read this article it would be nice to hear from you. I only get comments from non-Sterlingites.

My e-mail is domino7887@yahoo.com.




Ashford App

My first attempt to write this article in the airport in Rochester NY seems to have been lost in that never-never land of cyber space, so I am writing another.

Neal and I had the pleasure and excitement of watching our 17-year-old granddaughter from AZ play in a women’s ice hockey tournament. Her team won the championship and she got one of the goals.

Jane Casden spent the summer months on the beach in South Jersey enjoying the quiet and reading lots of books. Her time with her family was precious to her and she looks forward to this every year. Marty Phillips spent some time there also, but had the chance to visit with his children in NY as well.

Laurie Wohl has been busy getting her house in order as she has settled into her new life here in Aberdeen. Just in case she isn’t kept busy enough with the fitness center, the aquatic center and canasta, Laurie is a valued volunteer at a local hospital as well as serving on a special community project with the PB Sheriff’s Dept. Oh, by the way, she also is a card-carrying member of The Lion’s Club and has been instrumental in rejuvenating that local group. Welcome to Ashford, Laurie. What did we do without you!

Marilyn and Stan Gilman celebrated their 50th anniversary this summer up at the Cape.

We are noticing lots of landscaping projects going on in our community as newer residents create their dream gardens. As you drive through the community, take a look.

At this writing, we have a new president elect. Let’s not let this recent political campaign and its results divide us.




The Hampton

Congratulations to Stanley Glazer and his wife, Gerry, on Stanley’s 90th birthday. What a milestone! Stanley is a former board member and president. Have a great birthday, Stanley, and if you need help blowing out those candles you know who to call.

We want to welcome our latest new members of the community … Becky Stauffer and Dale and Marty Krulick. Welcome to FL and the Hamptons!

We mourn the passing of Eleanor Mailman and Milton Schertz, significant other of Marian Moskowitz.

Attention readers … we are starting a Book Club, the first meeting is at Connie Lamendola’s at 8224 Cassia Drive on Jan. 1st. The book to read is: “Green on Blue” by Elliot Ackerman.

Get well wishes to Sheila Cherry, Dave Price and Sheryl Rapport.

Thanks again to Ellen Gold and Janet Friedman for being so helpful in contacting me with news for our column.

Congratulations to Harry Rosenstein on being honored by the NY Giants, at Giant Stadium at the Opening Game of the Season. He was celebrated for being a Giant Subscription – Ticket-Holder for 60 years. His picture was on the scoreboard. Harry has 6 Season Tickets. He has given them to our daughter Heather and her family as we are only able to go to a few games since we moved here. You are only allowed to give them to a blood relative; he had to show his Birth Certificate, my daughter’s birth certificate and her marriage license. Really complicated. He also had an article written about him by George Willis a sports writer for the NY Post on Sept. 9, 2014. The NY Post is the “Bible of Sports Fans,” and you can see him reading the Post at the Club pool. He has a lending library for his sports fans.

Our son, Michael, from Margate, NJ, was part of the Operation BBQ Relief in NC. They were there for a week feeding 100,000. He was recruited by his friend, Dave Marks, the owner of “Famous Dave” BBQ. I know that at the end of the week he had pizza. Kudos to all the fantastic volunteers.

Holiday times are right around the corner and Barbara and Bill Whitelaw will celebrate with their children for Christmas and New Year’s in Costa Rica. Nice change of scenery!!!

By now, we know who our new president of the U.S. is. What a contentious election! I am a Canadian by birth, so I am a convert to American citizenship. Boy, I wouldn’t have missed this one for the world.