Last week, your community newspaper received a threatening and anti-Semitic phone call. Our staff includes Jews and Christians, European-Americans, African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, men, women, senior citizens, in short almost every religious, ethnic and social group. We were all equally offended, as we would have been if any of these other groups in our family, or any others, had been targeted. Of course, the police have been informed and are on the case.
Also, in recent weeks news of the spread of H1N1 flu from Mexico has everyone all over the world concerned. Unfortunately, fear has led some to react less than humanely in dealing with the issue. We are all human beings, and need to treat each other as such.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the best measures we can take as individuals are to wash our hands thoroughly and frequently and to avoid crowds. Mexico may have helped stem the spread of the flu by closing schools, restaurants, cafes and other public venues. Here, some schools have been closed and sports events postponed.
For those who think they may have the illness, the advice is to be considerate of others, covering sneezes and staying home after getting medical care. The Red Cross of Nassau County advises us to prepare for this possible eventuality by storing a two-week supply of food, water, medicine and household necessities such as laundry detergent and toilet paper. Two helpful websites about this are www.cdc.gov and www.nassauredcross.org.
A diamond
One of the best-kept secrets on Long Island is the Norman Levy Park and Preserve off Merrick Road, the first right turn east of the Meadowbrook Parkway. Jay Pitti, head of its Friends group, calls it a “first-class diamond that glitters and has many facets to it.”
Among them are nature trails, fitness stations, a fishing pier, kayak eco-tours, jitney tours, a touch tank, terrapin nesting areas, guinea hens for tick control and dwarf goats for weed control and last but not least the neighboring trash transfer station that serves as a reminder of the need to recycle, according to Sanitation Commissioner Richard Ronan, steward for the preserve.
Richard and Lisa Schary of the Long Island Greenbelt Conference will lead a group hike on Saturday, June 20, from 7:30 p.m. until sunset and hope to recruit more friends for the preserve.
Meanwhile, for information contact Deputy Commissioner Mike McConnell at 804-2000.