This too is Yonkers–By Eric Schoen
The world is spinning so fast, and I am not even talking about the craziness in Washington. Old reruns of “Supermarket Sweep,” “Match Game” and “To Tell the Truth” on Cablevision Channel 95 are so much more interesting! (Did I ever mention that my sister was a contestant on the old game show “Concentration?”)
Tell Me Why?
Hollywood spends millions of dollars on movies recreating old Broadway shows (“Cats”) or old classic films (“Dr. Doolittle”), and what do we get? Cult classics that will be shown at midnight when patrons are inebriated. Dame Judi Dench as a cat in “Cats?” It’s bad enough studios make bad decisions. Don’t actors read the scripts ahead of time and ask, “Gee, how will this movie advance my career?”
Third-ranked Kansas and Kansas State ended their bitter showdown this week with a wild melee in the disabled seating behind the Wildcats’ basket that included punches, shoving, and at least one player threatening to swing a stool. Is this any way to end a basketball game? Does this give a good image of sports to parents and their children?
Should the chief justice of the United States have to admonish both Democrats and Republicans for their poor behavior during the impeachment trials? “I think it is appropriate for me to admonish both the House managers and the president’s counsel in equal terms to remember that they are addressing the world’s greatest deliberative body,” said Roberts. “One reason it has earned that title is because its members avoid speaking in a manner and using language that is not conducive to civil discourse.”
Roberts said that kind of exchange was not appropriate and, providing a historical example, reminded the legal teams that they need to be on their best behavior. He said: “In the 1905 Swayne trial, a senator objected when one of the managers used the word ‘pettifogging’ (placing undue emphasis on petty details) and the presiding officer said the word ought not to have been used. I don’t think we need to aspire to that high of a standard, but I do think those addressing the Senate should remember where they are.”
Despite all the painting of the roads and signs and lights, we still have trucks entering our parkways attempting to go under bridges that are too low. And, please, don’t tell me it doesn’t happen as frequently as it once did. You want to fix the problem? You put a height pole on the entrance to the road. If the truck is too high, the driver gets a wake-up call. Either he stops or he hits the pole and does damage to his or her truck, not to the bridge, roadway or motorists legally traversing the roadway!
Does the Journal News employ proofreaders anymore? Some days between the main section and the USA TODAY section you will have three of the same stories. Maybe if they hired more reporters they could have more, different stories?
What woke me up the other day? A New Jersey gubernatorial candidate on the radio saying the Garden State has to fix the educational funding formula system? Now, doesn’t that ring a bell, Yonkers?
“A note to snowbirds: Don’t be surprised if you see iguanas falling from the trees tonight,” tweeted the Miami National Weather Service office. The concern for people in South Florida is that iguanas often sleep in trees, so when their bodies go dormant, they appear to fall from the sky onto streets, cars, pools, or even people walking around. And since iguanas are large – adult males can reach 5 feet in length and weigh up to 20 pounds – this can be dangerous if one lands on top of you.
The invasive species can’t handle cold temperatures very well because they are cold-blooded. In general, iguanas begin to get sluggish or lethargic once the temperature drops below 50 degrees. Below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, the iguanas go into a dormant or cold-stunned state. They appear to be dead, but they are not. They remain breathing with critical body functions still operating. It is their body’s way of protecting them until the temperature warms back up above 50 degrees.
You learn something new every day!
Yonkers Raceway
I heard a very interesting fact at a meeting at the Nepperhan Community Center, where representatives of Empire City Casino were present to discuss their ambitious plans to expand table games and full casino gambling like you have in Atlantic City or Las Vegas. About 4.5 million people visit Lady Liberty each year. A whopping 9 million people visit Empire City Casino and the track each year. Dishwashers at the track earn more than $60,000 a year, and coat check girls and guys make $40 an hour.
The company that bought casino, MGM, is the third-largest concert/entertainment ticket seller in the world. It has brought Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Lady Gaga, Cher, Bruno Mars and Boyz II Men to the its venues worldwide.
To quote Boyz II Men, we need to start “making love” to MGM and the New York State Legislature to get a full casino license. Years ago, 25,000 people would come to watch (and play) the horses at the track. So the infrastructure for a massive entertainment gambling venue is there! Most importantly, let’s keep the money the facility will make local.
Bye Papyrus
I’ve never been a good gift wrapper. So one day when I needed something wrapped professionally for a special occasion I went to this new store in Bronxville called Papyrus. I told the salesperson to make it look special. I thought it would be $10 or $15. When I went to pick it up, the cost to wrap my $50 gift was $125! You know that wrapping paper and ribbons, etc. came off pretty quickly.
Since then I have pretty much kept my purchases to cards, put-on-yourself gift wrap and gift items. Are you as obsessed with their $1 card sales as I am? Do you know what a $1 card sale is?
I would go into Papyrus and buy dozens of $1 cards, most of which had a value of $4 to $6 each. Truth be told, that’s why my friends and family got such beautiful cards.
Papyrus reminded me of the old P&L stationary that sold fine cards and gifts on South Broadway when I was growing up. It is impossible with dollar stores, and stores selling cards at half price, for Papyrus to stay in business. They will close in a month. We will miss them!
Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @ericyonkers. Listen to Eric Schoen and Dan Murphy on the Westchester Rising Radio Show on Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m. on WVOX 1460 AM, go to WVOX.com and click the arrow to listen to the live stream, or download the WVOX app from the App Store free of charge.
