Last week we enjoyed two proud parent moments. Both involved my daughter. I posted to X about the first. Marisa authored an op-ed for the American Jewish Committee ("AJC") that appeared in the Albany Times-Union. It was placed there because the target audience serve as members of the New York State Assembly and New York State Senators. The op …
For some the pitch about joining Gotham involves business opportunities. Members seek to sell their services or wares. That may be a primary reason to network. But for this member who complains not at all about business opportunities here, I submit Gotham offers much more. As many know here I chair the board of a senior agency. Two fellow boar …
A week ago this morning found Shelly and I at the Legislative Breakfast of the Queens Jewish Community Council (“QJCC”) at the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates. Shelly does not usually join me at these breakfasts but this year our daughter got installed as a director by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. I posted the proud parent moment to …
Shelly likes to ride her bike and this hobby involves visits to different parks in Queens (so far). One Sunday, it was Cunningham Park. For several times over the summer, we headed over to Little Bay Park across from Fort Totten from where she rode the Joe Michaels Mile nestled along Little Neck Bay and the Cross Island Parkway. Alley Pond Park has …
Friday, I attend the Queens Borough President's Annual State of the Borough ("SOTB") speech. The last several years I've attended the SOTB with my daughter Marisa who works at the American Jewish Committee. This year I met in the parking lot the venue, Queens Theatre in the Park, shares with the Queens Museum in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. She …
Something unexpected intruded on “my” Friday. I expected to focus on getting the last few items submitted to access a federal grant toward the new building renovation project for SNAP senior center, monitoring that day’s hearing on what I call the congestion pricing tax, visiting TD Bank to deposit donations to Northeast Queens Jewish Community Cou …
For several months, I’ve been meeting via Zoom with like-minded folks who oppose the imposition of a toll-tax (aka congestion pricing) to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street. Late last year, as other concerned folks and groups joined our weekly Zooms, those gathered decided to hire a lawyer and explore bringing a lawsuit. The group chose a name an …
In 2012, Gotham added its Red Bandana Award, in addition to its annual Networker of the Year Award (initiated in 2004). The Year before (2011) Gotham selected my co-chair of GOtham GREEN® Joshua Zinder, and me as Networkers of the Year. Both awards, announced at Gotham’s Annual Holiday Party, can only be won once and gain entry in to the hallowed G …
I've been telling friends and colleagues I am free to accept certain appointment without checking first this weekend (and a few days before and after because I am (temporarily) a bachelor. A friend liked my response to a a group text invite to a bagel breakfast that likely took place before most (other than Friday's blogger) read this commentary to …
Just under four years ago Marisa and I attended Peter Frampton's Farewell tour at Madison Square Garden. Following his diagnosis with Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM), Peter expected not to be able to play much longer. According to John Hopkins, IBM "causes muscle weakness that may worsen over time and damage the muscles. The rate of this decline va …
We often call our Gotham Network which hosts this blog a tribe. The success of two meetings last evidences that moniker. I enjoyed two breakfast time networking meetings on successive mornings last week. One meeting I chaired virtually; the other I participated in-person. Each had its benefits. I saw and interacted with people I enjoy, do som …
No secret how proud Shelly and I are proud of our children (and our daughter in law too). When we gathered last night for dinner I toasted Jonathan and Marisa for their recent achievement. This weekend I tweeted (see pic upper right)-- twice, last night and Friday -- about proud parent moments: Jonathan -- published again -- this time in Studi …
On a day where many friends gather to catch a game or use a game an “excuse” to gather, I want to thank friends working together to make nice things happen. I certainly have used this space to advocate for causes I support and work with and for. Many friends in and out of Gotham join me to support Services Now for Adult Persons (SNAP) where I …
As the week began I received an email from my friend and Gotham colleague Amparo Connors who runs an employee placement firm (temps and permanent); Amparo reached out to those she usually sends holiday/season’s greetings/ new year wishes concerning the intended token. Our discussion led me to suggest that topic for the joint meeting of Gotham Queen …
It was a whirlwind of a week. Sunday afternoon I had an appointment at the Apple Store in Roosevelt Field to determine if my iPad which failed to charge Friday could be repaired; I replaced it with a newer model. Sunday eve we attended a Theresa Foundation Comedy Fundraiser and Shelly won a raffle. Monday, setting up a meeting and photo shoot the n …
