NOTE TO SELF: CHANUKAH CONCERT TAUGHT ME THAT ALL CANDLES CAN CAST A GLOW
BY ELEANOR TYLBOR
As a youngster, Christmas was somewhat of a demoralizing time of the year. Since our family was of the Jewish faith, we celebrated the holiday of Chanukah, which didn't seem to me to be half as exciting as the furor that went along with trimming a tree.
On occasion Chanukah fell during the same period as Christmas and somehow I couldn't work up as much enthusiasm for lighting a candle even if it was colored, as my friends seemed to experience placing ornaments on the branches of their trees.
Even though my parents explained time and time again that Jewish people don't celebrate Christmas, which meant that a tree even a miniature one was out of the question, it was difficult for me to accept. In spite of protestations that we could call it a Chanukah bush, it was obvious that there was no way a fir tree would be part of our celebrations.
Traditionally at Chanukah, children receive gifts of gelt or money and light small colored candles in a menorah (candelabra), one per night for the eight days of the holiday. While that was nice, in my mind it didn't measure up to all the excitement connected to the "other" holiday.
At Hebrew school we always celebrated the various holidays, big and small, and Chanukah was a particular favorite especially since our class, being the eldest students, entertained the residents of a seniors home. Each year the teacher would select eight students to sing and perform as Chanukah candles and competition was fierce for the part of lead candle.
Since I wasn't blessed with a good singing voice – I could barely carry a tune – I knew that my chances were slim at best to play any candle, never mind the lead candle. My biggest rival was Zelig, who had the voice and promise of a future opera singer. Not only did he have the best singing voice, he was also the top student scholastically. Plus he was also the teacher's pet. Whenever games were played for prizes during the holidays, Zelig won everything, which didn't exactly ingratiate him with the other students. Actually, we were all jealous and would have liked nothing better than for his voice to change in the middle of a concert.
Class auditions for candle parts were held a few weeks before the onset of the holiday and the best I could hope for was a minor part and even then, only if the rest of the students had an off day or laryngitis. Each student auditioned for the teacher and as expected, Zelig got the lead role, which irritated me no end.
My resentment was eased somewhat by being assigned the role of a minor candle, probably out of pity more than anything else. Those students not chosen became part of the chorus singing "tra-la-las" at the appropriate time.
Excitement was at a fever pitch when we arrived at the seniors' home, ready to perform for a live audience who were, for the most part, in wheelchairs. They were brought into the auditorium where we were lined up on stage, anxious to perform.
Glancing around the room, many of the seniors appeared half asleep.
"You will be entertained today!" their nurses might have insisted as they wheeled them into the room.
The first students opened the concert and sang well and those who followed performed admirably. Finally, it was my turn. My voice didn't fail me and I felt very proud of my accomplishment.
Zelig opened his mouth and it was like a chorus of angels had entered the room. His voice was strong and melodic and suddenly the seniors perked up, smiles on their faces in obvious appreciation of what they heard. When the last notes of his solo faded away, they all clapped appreciatively.
The musical recital was over and we performed a variety of Israeli dances, moving off the stage to mingle among our audience. Although Israeli dancing was a passion, I was consumed with the memory of the applause and accolades bestowed upon Zelig.
After our presentation and some refreshments, an elderly woman wheeled over to talk to me. She smiled, her trembling hand gently covering mine.
"Thank you," she uttered weakly and breathlessly. "You were all wonderful. How special you are to visit us!"
There was the sudden realization that it wasn't important who the lead candle was or who had the best voice. It was significant to our audience that we had taken the time to come at all.
It wasn't long after our successful performance that Zelig's voice finally broke and he never knew whether he would sing soprano or alto. Tough luck for him. My voice on the other hand, never changed and could always be depended on to sing off-key.
http://holidays.net/chanukah/
For some good Chanukah recipes and recipes for all year round, surf on down here:
http://www.gourmania.com/recipesmlym/mlnym_nofrylatkes.htm
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Mausoleums double as energy source
NOTE TO SELF: NO GRAVE SITUATION HERE
The next time you visit Spain, you might want to take a side-trip to the Santa Coloma de Gramnenet cemetary located outside Barcelona, especially the mausoleum section. Although one can visit the dearly departed if one feels so moved, the real attraction is up on the mausoleum roofs where 462 solar panels have been installed to catch the sun's rays.
The energy produced with the solar panels, equivalent to the yearly consumption of 60 homes, flows into the local energy grid. The entire project is the community's contribution toward fighting global warming. The graveyard was the only viable spot to proceed with its solar energy program.
Read the rest of the story and photos of the solar panels here: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=6316047
Actually, this is not such a wild idea. Think about the possibilities of creating projects similar to this in mausoleums throughout the world. The concept might not appeal to all families of the deceased but it something to consider. Perhaps - just a thought - some type of wind power device could be utilized in a similar manner. Anyway, the citizens and the city council of the spanish town are congratulated for doing their part in becoming part of the solution to finding alternative energy sources.
The next time you visit Spain, you might want to take a side-trip to the Santa Coloma de Gramnenet cemetary located outside Barcelona, especially the mausoleum section. Although one can visit the dearly departed if one feels so moved, the real attraction is up on the mausoleum roofs where 462 solar panels have been installed to catch the sun's rays.
The energy produced with the solar panels, equivalent to the yearly consumption of 60 homes, flows into the local energy grid. The entire project is the community's contribution toward fighting global warming. The graveyard was the only viable spot to proceed with its solar energy program.
Read the rest of the story and photos of the solar panels here: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=6316047
Actually, this is not such a wild idea. Think about the possibilities of creating projects similar to this in mausoleums throughout the world. The concept might not appeal to all families of the deceased but it something to consider. Perhaps - just a thought - some type of wind power device could be utilized in a similar manner. Anyway, the citizens and the city council of the spanish town are congratulated for doing their part in becoming part of the solution to finding alternative energy sources.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Oh dear - Sarah you-know-who talks turkey
NOTE TO SELF: SOME TURKEY!
Oh my-oh-my...
As Alaska Gov. Sarah "I can see the world from my house" Palin pardoned one (1) turkey as part of the annual Thanksgiving save-a-turkey event, others were being slaughtered on TV in the background.
"As she answered questions Thursday at Triple D Farm & Hatchery outside Wasilla cameras from the Anchorage Daily News and others showed the bloody work of an employee slaughtering birds behind the former Republican vice presidential candidate. On the video, Palin didn’t comment about the slaughter as she answered questions, saying she’s thankful that her son’s Stryker brigade is relatively safe in Iraq and the rest of her family is healthy and happy. She said she’s glad to be back in Alaska.
“This was neat,” she said of the outing. “I was happy to get to be invited to participate in this. For one, you need a little bit of levity in this job, especially with so much that has gone in the last couple of months that has been so political obviously that it’s nice to get out and do something to promote a local business and to just participate in something that isn’t so heavy-handed politics that it invites criticism. Certainly we’ll probably invite criticism for even doing this, too, but at least this was fun.”
Source: http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2008/11/21/7488496-ap.html
Perhaps Gov. Palin should consider using her brain before commenting on such a neat outing.
Here is a video of the "fun" event: http://community.adn.com/adn/node/134739
Thing is...many of us eat turkey including myself but why-oh-why wasn't she aware what was going on in the background? President Palin? One can only shiver...
Oh my-oh-my...
As Alaska Gov. Sarah "I can see the world from my house" Palin pardoned one (1) turkey as part of the annual Thanksgiving save-a-turkey event, others were being slaughtered on TV in the background.
"As she answered questions Thursday at Triple D Farm & Hatchery outside Wasilla cameras from the Anchorage Daily News and others showed the bloody work of an employee slaughtering birds behind the former Republican vice presidential candidate. On the video, Palin didn’t comment about the slaughter as she answered questions, saying she’s thankful that her son’s Stryker brigade is relatively safe in Iraq and the rest of her family is healthy and happy. She said she’s glad to be back in Alaska.
“This was neat,” she said of the outing. “I was happy to get to be invited to participate in this. For one, you need a little bit of levity in this job, especially with so much that has gone in the last couple of months that has been so political obviously that it’s nice to get out and do something to promote a local business and to just participate in something that isn’t so heavy-handed politics that it invites criticism. Certainly we’ll probably invite criticism for even doing this, too, but at least this was fun.”
Source: http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2008/11/21/7488496-ap.html
Perhaps Gov. Palin should consider using her brain before commenting on such a neat outing.
Here is a video of the "fun" event: http://community.adn.com/adn/node/134739
Thing is...many of us eat turkey including myself but why-oh-why wasn't she aware what was going on in the background? President Palin? One can only shiver...
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Ignorant radio host rants on about autism
NOTE TO SELF: UNDER WHICH ROCK DO THESE IGNORANT PEOPLE CRAWL OUT FROM?
Sometimes I wonder how some idiotic radio hosts whose tongues flap in the wind, keep their jobs.
This guy who I never heard of before (thank goodness) and definitely will NOT tune into, Michael Savage, opines that autistic children are merely spoiled brats with behavior problems. Watch the CNN video and despair about the sheer stupidity of his comments. For example he is quoted as saying:
“Now the illness du jour is autism. You know what autism is? I’ll tell you what autism is. In 99 percent of the cases, it’s a brat who hasn’t been told to cut the act out. That’s what autism is.”
According to one media report, parents of autistic kids called for his firing and at least one advertiser yanked its ads from his syndicated show. About 40 parents and grandparents of autistic children protested yesterday outside WOR-AM (710) in New York City, one of the more than 350 radio stations - including WRKO-AM (680) - that airs his program. Another protest is planned for tomorrow at the San Francisco station where his show is broadcast.
Watch the CNN report here:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/07/22/cho.autism.uproar.cnn
More about the motor-mouth here:
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view/2008_07_22_Savage_attack_on_autism:_Some_call_for_firing_of_radio_talk_show_host/srvc=home&position=0
Sometimes I wonder how some idiotic radio hosts whose tongues flap in the wind, keep their jobs.
This guy who I never heard of before (thank goodness) and definitely will NOT tune into, Michael Savage, opines that autistic children are merely spoiled brats with behavior problems. Watch the CNN video and despair about the sheer stupidity of his comments. For example he is quoted as saying:
“Now the illness du jour is autism. You know what autism is? I’ll tell you what autism is. In 99 percent of the cases, it’s a brat who hasn’t been told to cut the act out. That’s what autism is.”
According to one media report, parents of autistic kids called for his firing and at least one advertiser yanked its ads from his syndicated show. About 40 parents and grandparents of autistic children protested yesterday outside WOR-AM (710) in New York City, one of the more than 350 radio stations - including WRKO-AM (680) - that airs his program. Another protest is planned for tomorrow at the San Francisco station where his show is broadcast.
Watch the CNN report here:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/07/22/cho.autism.uproar.cnn
More about the motor-mouth here:
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view/2008_07_22_Savage_attack_on_autism:_Some_call_for_firing_of_radio_talk_show_host/srvc=home&position=0
Thursday, June 12, 2008
TEACHERS ACCOMPANY STUDENTS HOME ON BUS FOR SAFETY
NOTE TO SELF: SOME TEACHERS GO ON AND ABOVE THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM
It wasn't that long ago that students who walked to and from school playfully jostled each other, while still others took public transportation.
Passing courses aren't the only things students attending schools in London, England, have to worry about these days. Seems that stabbings are becoming more and more frequent and it's not part of their teaching manual or job description, but some teachers are worried enough to personally intervene.
In the wake of concern about the level of knife crime among young people, one London teacher tells of the extraordinary lengths he and his staff go to, to keep their pupils safe.
Headteacher Tom Mannion surveyed the street from his seat on a London bus and pointed to where one of his pupils was stabbed last month.
Read the entire story here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7448817.stm
Seems like centuries ago now that teachers main concern was ensuring that their pupils learn the 3 R's. Sad and a sign of the times that they have to turn into bodyguards and it's to their credit that some do.
It wasn't that long ago that students who walked to and from school playfully jostled each other, while still others took public transportation.
Passing courses aren't the only things students attending schools in London, England, have to worry about these days. Seems that stabbings are becoming more and more frequent and it's not part of their teaching manual or job description, but some teachers are worried enough to personally intervene.
In the wake of concern about the level of knife crime among young people, one London teacher tells of the extraordinary lengths he and his staff go to, to keep their pupils safe.
Headteacher Tom Mannion surveyed the street from his seat on a London bus and pointed to where one of his pupils was stabbed last month.
Read the entire story here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7448817.stm
Seems like centuries ago now that teachers main concern was ensuring that their pupils learn the 3 R's. Sad and a sign of the times that they have to turn into bodyguards and it's to their credit that some do.
Monday, June 2, 2008
A SIGN OF THE TIMES? NURSERY SCANS PARENTS FINGERPRINTS
NOTE TO SELF: HOW MUCH SECURITY IS TOO MUCH SECURITY?
It's a dangerous world these days with media reports focusing on children who have disappeared seemingly without a trace. This fear was probably one of the main reasons for the daily usage of fingerprint scanners in two nursery schools located in Kent, England, in order to check or verify the identity of parents.
The Springfield Lodge Day Nursery is scanning the prints each time parents drop off their children.
According to the owner of the nursery, the measures were for the "safety and security" of the children, however not everyone sees the move as positive. The charity, Kidscape, which aims to protect children from harm, described the measure as "paranoid and overkill" and gives the wrong message to youngsters.
Kidscape director, Michelle Elliott, provided statistics revealing that in reality of the 11 million children in the UK, on average seven to 10 were abducted and murdered each year.
"But we don't want to give children, particularly young children, the idea that the world is so dangerous that they can't even go to nursery school without being scanned."
Ms Berryman said parents at the nursery were happy with the heightened security measures.
She said it made life a lot easier for parents when dropping off and picking up so that they were not hanging around waiting for their children.
"There is no actual information recorded, only the information that we've already got," she said.
It would be interesting to know how instituting a fingerprint scanner in nursery schools or even kindergarten would go over with North American parents.
Read about Kidscape here: http://www.kidscape.org.uk/
It's a dangerous world these days with media reports focusing on children who have disappeared seemingly without a trace. This fear was probably one of the main reasons for the daily usage of fingerprint scanners in two nursery schools located in Kent, England, in order to check or verify the identity of parents.
The Springfield Lodge Day Nursery is scanning the prints each time parents drop off their children.
According to the owner of the nursery, the measures were for the "safety and security" of the children, however not everyone sees the move as positive. The charity, Kidscape, which aims to protect children from harm, described the measure as "paranoid and overkill" and gives the wrong message to youngsters.
Kidscape director, Michelle Elliott, provided statistics revealing that in reality of the 11 million children in the UK, on average seven to 10 were abducted and murdered each year.
"But we don't want to give children, particularly young children, the idea that the world is so dangerous that they can't even go to nursery school without being scanned."
Ms Berryman said parents at the nursery were happy with the heightened security measures.
She said it made life a lot easier for parents when dropping off and picking up so that they were not hanging around waiting for their children.
"There is no actual information recorded, only the information that we've already got," she said.
It would be interesting to know how instituting a fingerprint scanner in nursery schools or even kindergarten would go over with North American parents.
Read about Kidscape here: http://www.kidscape.org.uk/
Monday, May 19, 2008
Canine lifeguard barred from beach
NOTE TO SELF: WHEN A PERSON IS DROWNING, A LIFEGUARD IS A LIFEGUARD IS...
Britain's only lifeguard dog, Bilbo, who is on guard duty patrolling Sennen in west Cornwall, has lost his job.
His beach duties have been assumed by the RNLI - Royal National Lifeboat Institution due to a dog ban on the beach. Understandably, Bilbo's owner is barking mad but the Penwith council who decide on these things, is backing the RNLI.
Seems that the canine has been part of the lifeguard team for three years and has been praised for helping to prevent a swimmer experiencing problems. Wearing a special yellow jacket, he can paddle (presumably the dog paddle) out to swimmers in distress, pulling a rescue float with him.
His owner, Steve Jamieson, was informed by the RNLI that a concession which got Bilbo round a beach ban, was no longer acceptable for safety reasons. Bilbo had been allowed to carry out his life guarding duties in the past because he had been carried on an all terrain bike (ATB) when he was not at the lifeguard hut or in the sea.
Now that the RNLI has taken over life guarding duties, it is not allowing him on their ATBs.
Read the rest of this sad dog's tale here in addition to a photo of Bilbo in action: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/7408021.stm
I dunno. To me, this could be personal. It was alright to have the pooch help out for three years and suddenly he's personna non grata? They are offering to allow Bilbo help out in public relations/marketiing work and safety education in schools but still...it was his (Bilbo's) career and now...
Meanwhile in Italy where they obviously see the value in dog rescuers, scores of specially trained dogs have been deployed as lifeguards on Italy's busiest beaches this summer. The dogs, mostly of the Newfoundland or Labrador breeds, are trained to jump out of helicopters and boats and swim to the rescue of struggling swimmers. They are credited with having saved several lives by taking lifebuoys to swimmers and towing them to safety.
Read how Italy values its dog lifeguards here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6924827.stm
You can voice your opinion regarding this issue by contacting the Penwith District Council here:
Penwith District CouncilSt ClarePenzanceCornwallTR18 3QW
Tel: 01736 362341 (0845 672 2124 out of hours emergencies)Fax: 01736 336575
Email: web@penwith.gov.uk
Britain's only lifeguard dog, Bilbo, who is on guard duty patrolling Sennen in west Cornwall, has lost his job.
His beach duties have been assumed by the RNLI - Royal National Lifeboat Institution due to a dog ban on the beach. Understandably, Bilbo's owner is barking mad but the Penwith council who decide on these things, is backing the RNLI.
Seems that the canine has been part of the lifeguard team for three years and has been praised for helping to prevent a swimmer experiencing problems. Wearing a special yellow jacket, he can paddle (presumably the dog paddle) out to swimmers in distress, pulling a rescue float with him.
His owner, Steve Jamieson, was informed by the RNLI that a concession which got Bilbo round a beach ban, was no longer acceptable for safety reasons. Bilbo had been allowed to carry out his life guarding duties in the past because he had been carried on an all terrain bike (ATB) when he was not at the lifeguard hut or in the sea.
Now that the RNLI has taken over life guarding duties, it is not allowing him on their ATBs.
Read the rest of this sad dog's tale here in addition to a photo of Bilbo in action: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/7408021.stm
I dunno. To me, this could be personal. It was alright to have the pooch help out for three years and suddenly he's personna non grata? They are offering to allow Bilbo help out in public relations/marketiing work and safety education in schools but still...it was his (Bilbo's) career and now...
Meanwhile in Italy where they obviously see the value in dog rescuers, scores of specially trained dogs have been deployed as lifeguards on Italy's busiest beaches this summer. The dogs, mostly of the Newfoundland or Labrador breeds, are trained to jump out of helicopters and boats and swim to the rescue of struggling swimmers. They are credited with having saved several lives by taking lifebuoys to swimmers and towing them to safety.
Read how Italy values its dog lifeguards here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6924827.stm
You can voice your opinion regarding this issue by contacting the Penwith District Council here:
Penwith District CouncilSt ClarePenzanceCornwallTR18 3QW
Tel: 01736 362341 (0845 672 2124 out of hours emergencies)Fax: 01736 336575
Email: web@penwith.gov.uk
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