I was driving through Ridgewood today, with the a plan of stopping at the Library to take a peak at the NY Times and use the facilities. As I was getting out of my car I couldn't help but notice that the town was chopping down the pine trees behind the Kassau Band Shell.
As a bit of background, anyone who has run track at Ridgewood in the last 50 years has come in contact with these trees, their lower branches, and their pine needles. They appeared healthy to my semi-professional landscaper's eye so I watched and waited for a moment to ask the tree trimmers why these majestic old trees were being cut down.
The guy I finally asked, much to his credit, was very polite. I believe he had been asked this same question countless times today. He told me the town was taking down the trees to expand the Band Shell in order to put in bathrooms. I thanked him and went on my business.
I can't say I am a tree hugger but I am a thrifty Scot. The fact that during a Depression the town would choose to spend money on chopping down trees in order to install bathrooms strikes me as a bit much. If this is the only way they can think to prime the pump and put people to work, then they need to think again.
Oh yeah, last word I heard the price tag for the bathrooms was $250,000. And no mention of what it will cost to maintain the bathrooms. It made me stop and think about what we did when I lived in Ridgewood. That was a no-brainer: we used the bathrooms at the Library. ;-)
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
The Roslyn Road Salem Ridge Gang
I just added another Glen School related link to the side bar on the right. The Roslyn Road Salem Ridge Gang has a lot to read for being such a new member of the Blogosphere.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Citizens Park is 40 Years Old
On one of my infrequent trips to Ridgewood today, I stopped by Citizens Park to pay my respects to the rock. It is a large stone which no doubt was unearthed when the ground was being contoured into a baseball field. It has a bronze plaque with the names of the citizens of Ridgewood, who in 1969 put up the money to purchase the land which they later named Citizens Park. My Dad's name is included, as well as numerous others. I wish I had taken a picture.
The creation of Citizens Park was one of those gestures so typical of the people who Tom Brokaw calls the "Greatest Generation." I am sure they thought it was simply a matter of course. My Dad and Mom never talked about, even though on this site in 1971 my Dad coached my Little League team to a division championship. We were their throughout the spring of that year and not once did he shed his usual modesty and show me the stone.
In retrospect I have come to believe that the men and women of the "Greatest Generation" simply knew in 1969 that the price was right for the land and agreed that if they just ponied up enough money between them it would be a place which could be used by generations to come. They were right and now it is a stellar baseball field with a good amount of park land around it for strolling and simply watching the world go by. This act of foresight may well be taken for granted by the current townsfolk, though anyone with a sense of history knows better.
Today, when I ponder acts of benevolence like this. in the light of our current economic climate. it makes me wonder if we will ever be able to act like this again. It is a gloomy thought which usually passes quickly as I remain an optimist, and know the economy will right itself as it always does in these United States.
On my journey today, I also visited Van Nest Square in the center of town. It was renovated in the 1990s by the "Greatest Generation" as a kind of last defining act by the group of people who had shaped Ridgewood for well over a quarter century. I should have taken a picture of their stone.
We need memories of these people if only to serve as a reminder of what a small group of people can do when they put their minds to it. I tried to Google both sites but have yet to find any mention of these charitable acts. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if there were no mentions on the Internet because that was just how they rolled.
The creation of Citizens Park was one of those gestures so typical of the people who Tom Brokaw calls the "Greatest Generation." I am sure they thought it was simply a matter of course. My Dad and Mom never talked about, even though on this site in 1971 my Dad coached my Little League team to a division championship. We were their throughout the spring of that year and not once did he shed his usual modesty and show me the stone.
In retrospect I have come to believe that the men and women of the "Greatest Generation" simply knew in 1969 that the price was right for the land and agreed that if they just ponied up enough money between them it would be a place which could be used by generations to come. They were right and now it is a stellar baseball field with a good amount of park land around it for strolling and simply watching the world go by. This act of foresight may well be taken for granted by the current townsfolk, though anyone with a sense of history knows better.
Today, when I ponder acts of benevolence like this. in the light of our current economic climate. it makes me wonder if we will ever be able to act like this again. It is a gloomy thought which usually passes quickly as I remain an optimist, and know the economy will right itself as it always does in these United States.
On my journey today, I also visited Van Nest Square in the center of town. It was renovated in the 1990s by the "Greatest Generation" as a kind of last defining act by the group of people who had shaped Ridgewood for well over a quarter century. I should have taken a picture of their stone.
We need memories of these people if only to serve as a reminder of what a small group of people can do when they put their minds to it. I tried to Google both sites but have yet to find any mention of these charitable acts. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if there were no mentions on the Internet because that was just how they rolled.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Yankees 2009
I was just checking out the Yankees web site to see the price of Season Tickets. For about $26,000 you could get a Field Level ticket to all 81 home games. They will throw in a free Yankee Yearbook, too. This is $325 per ticket. Family of four would cost a cool $104,000. I believe you get free parking but it may only be in the preferred garage and you would still pay.
Want something to eat during the game? I haven't seen the prices but I understand the options are diverse. The Hard Rock Cafe menu states how many calories each item has but not the price. There is also a NYY Steakhouse which I understand they want to franchise. The 16oz Filet goes for $49. Want some Bearnaise Sauce on that Steak? An extra $6. Shrimp Cocktail is $16. Like a cognac to finish the meal? Remy Martin Louis xiii will set you back $225 a glass.
Does anybody else think this all is insane?
My first experience at Yankee Stadium in the 1960s was in the above mentioned Field Level seats, which were wiped down by Union users before we sat in them. You won't see any Union ushers at the new Stadium. Those guys were pensioned off years ago, instead we have Stadium Security who will point you to your seats. Though heaven help you if the seat is wet or has junk on it because they don't care.
Fortunately, I am able to watch all the games on TV but you have to wonder what would possess anyone to purchase such a package or go to the stadium to eat. I can hardly wait for the news media to begin interviewing these people who will be seating behind home plate for a mere $2625 per seat.
The last time I went to Yankee Stadium in 2004 I sat in the bleachers for $12 and had a couple of $2 Buds before the game in the bowling alley across the street. I noticed that Bleacher Seats are now $14 and that the decade old ban on beer in the Bleachers has been lifted. Hope some corporate tickets come my way from somewhere because I'm not paying for any of this wretched excess.
Play Ball!
Want something to eat during the game? I haven't seen the prices but I understand the options are diverse. The Hard Rock Cafe menu states how many calories each item has but not the price. There is also a NYY Steakhouse which I understand they want to franchise. The 16oz Filet goes for $49. Want some Bearnaise Sauce on that Steak? An extra $6. Shrimp Cocktail is $16. Like a cognac to finish the meal? Remy Martin Louis xiii will set you back $225 a glass.
Does anybody else think this all is insane?
My first experience at Yankee Stadium in the 1960s was in the above mentioned Field Level seats, which were wiped down by Union users before we sat in them. You won't see any Union ushers at the new Stadium. Those guys were pensioned off years ago, instead we have Stadium Security who will point you to your seats. Though heaven help you if the seat is wet or has junk on it because they don't care.
Fortunately, I am able to watch all the games on TV but you have to wonder what would possess anyone to purchase such a package or go to the stadium to eat. I can hardly wait for the news media to begin interviewing these people who will be seating behind home plate for a mere $2625 per seat.
The last time I went to Yankee Stadium in 2004 I sat in the bleachers for $12 and had a couple of $2 Buds before the game in the bowling alley across the street. I noticed that Bleacher Seats are now $14 and that the decade old ban on beer in the Bleachers has been lifted. Hope some corporate tickets come my way from somewhere because I'm not paying for any of this wretched excess.
Play Ball!
Friday, April 03, 2009
Don McLean Summer of 1977
I saw him on the pier at South Street Seaport in the Summer of 1977.
This occurred before we lost the Fulton Fish Market and Sloppy Louie's Restaurant, 92 South Street New York City (NY).
The Fulton Fish Market is now in the Bronx and Sloppy Louie's is still advertising the fact that their linens are unused. Sorry to say they are gone, too.
This occurred before we lost the Fulton Fish Market and Sloppy Louie's Restaurant, 92 South Street New York City (NY).
The Fulton Fish Market is now in the Bronx and Sloppy Louie's is still advertising the fact that their linens are unused. Sorry to say they are gone, too.
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