The Jewish New Year starts this eve. Looking forward to gathering with close family at “Grand Junction” for dinner. It follows another eventful week. Marisa and I saw the deGrominator lock in a second straight Cy Young Award with his performance last Wednesday at Citifield where the polar bar hit #51 (on the way to tying Aaron Judge Friday and surpassing his rookie record HR record last night). We took in The Zombies reprising their classic Odessey and Oracle LP at The Beacon Theatre Thursday opening for The Brian Wilson Band that features fellow original Beach Boy Al Jardine (The Beach Boys that played in our area at The Paramount earlier that week only includes one original; just saying.) Friday Shelly and I with her dad and our niece joining us for the early morning ride to Hoboken, attended the bris of Jacob Asher, the newest addition to our clan (son of David and Tara, brother to Eden Rose).

I mentioned the positive but much of the week required an awful lot of time for my brother Richy and I helping our mom; honorable mention to my sister-in-law Adrianne for her meaningful contributions Thursday.

As a total aside, and we muse whether climate change plays a role, but with the city providing yard (and organic) waste containers, we NEVER (emphasis very much intended), experienced a week where the need to rake and sweep up fallen leaves abated (and this weekend I actually needed to deploy a leaf collection brown bag (filled to the brim). I listened to my Beach Boys In Concert LP on my iTunes while I completed this task.

The LP opens with Sail On Sailor, also one of the highlights from Thursday evening. Blondie Chaplin who sang lead on this classic on the Holland LP, performed it this tour. For me the highlight was my favorite Beach Boys tune, Long Promised Road, from the Surfs Up LP. Carl sang the lead on the LP. Blondie performed the lead vocal Thursday. Preceded by Feel Flows, both paid special homage to Carl. It made the show special for me. Al Jardine’s son, Matt, an outstanding vocalist, sang a wonderful lead on my second fave Boys tune, Wouldn’t It Be Nice. The Brooklyn Vegan reviewed this wonderful show, included both setlists and several YouTube videos. I also found on YouTube California Girls and Good Vibrations.

To those who observe best wishes for a sweet new year.