Swimming in Today's Turbulent Seas
The Talmud teaches that "a parent should teach their child three things: Torah (The five books of Moses), a trade, and to swim. A few weeks ago, I thought about this teaching when I read about Walter Marino and his 12-year-old son, Christopher.
A rip current had swept them both out to sea. When darkness fell, the sounds of the searching rescue boats and helicopters grew fainter with each passing minute.
We can only imagine what it might have been like floating there in a life-and-death situation with our child. Certainly, we would have been terrified. But there were circumstances that made this frightening event more unusual. Christopher is an autistic child and his love of water and his "disability" made him unafraid of the circumstances, which threatened his life.
How did they survive? His father kept them afloat for over 12 hours. He shouted partial lines from Disney movies, which his son would then complete enthusiastically. This was one of their favorite things to do. Dad would call out: "To infinity," and his son would shout back: "And beyond!" They floated on their backs, gazing at the stars above, "To infinity and beyond!"
After they were rescued, Walter said he believes God saved them, and perhaps He did.
As Jews, we know that we are to learn our Torah because it makes us strong in our Jewishness. We also understand that we need to learn a craft because otherwise we could not earn a living. But, why did the sages teach that we must also learn to swim? The Talmud doesn't command parents to teach their children to walk. Why swim?
It's because we are out of our natural depths when we are in water. In water, we have nothing to cling to other than our own ability to keep our heads above the water. Christopher's "disability" ultimately saved him. The child's chances of survival increased because he could hear his father's calls. Because of Walter's strong love for his son, he was able to ask God for as much strength as he needed to ensure a miracle for both of them.
Each of us is swimming amid the turbulent seas that are our lives. We need to transform our struggles into added strength to overcome what is threatening us. We can look heavenward and realize with awe the infinity that is beyond. But, then we can gaze back to the ones we love the most and realize that we are swimming together. We can give each other the strength needed to overcome difficulties, and the help needed to hold on so that we can support each other as we help ourselves.
In this charged political climate and challenging economy, I would ask members of our community to seek a common ground by which we can support each other even when we have differing views. There are no easy answers to the difficult questions that challenge us.
Neither presidential candidate is as perfect as some claim nor as terrible as some might wish to portray.
If you are facing challenging personal circumstances, I would urge you to seek out your pastor, as our Houses of Worship are here to support our community.
If you don't have a synagogue or church, take the time to find a spiritual home that will help you anchor yourself and your loved ones. Take the time to pray with others. Utilizing traditional liturgy, or your own words, allows you the greater opportunity to feel God's presence surrounding you.
Cultivate God's love in your own heart and soul, extend that love to family, friends, neighbors and strangers, and you will feel God's love directed toward you a thousandfold.
B'Shalom (in peace).
Rabbi Mitchell M. Hurvitz is senior rabbi at Temple Sholom in Greenwich and the president of the Greenwich Fellowship of Clergy. E-mail: RabbiHurvitz@aol.com
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Friday, October 31, 2008
10/31/08 Rare white squirrel finds a home in Old Greenwich - Greenwich Time
The white squirrel seen in Old Greenwich most likely suffers from "leucism," a rare genetic condition in which the body cannot produce pigment on all or part of its skin and fur.
(Keelin Daly/Greenwich Time photo)
Old Greenwich resident Joe Mozian calls it a harbinger of heavy snowfalls this winter. His hockey-playing sons, Michael, 10, and Alex, 8, call it a good-luck charm that helps them score goals.
His hockey-playing sons, Michael, 10, and Alex, 8, call it a good-luck charm that helps them score goals.
His mother-in-law, Miki Dougherty, just calls it "a little white devil."
For two months, a rare white squirrel has taken up residence amid the hardwood trees and low-lying foliage of Mozian's yard on Marshall Street.
Affectionately named the "Polar Squirrel" by Mozian's two sons, the bushy-tailed rodent sports an all-white coat from tip to tail and can be spotted about twice a day, zipping back and forth across the lawn, darting over fences and racing across the tree tops, witnesses said.
"He's definitely more hyper than any other........
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10/31/08 First Greenwich Police Ridberg's Men Fail To Make An Arrest For Leaving The Scene Of A Death, Now They Wont Release The Toxicology Test
Connections Count In Greenwich
POLICE COVER UP FOR 20 YEAR OLD MYSTERY MAN THAT KILLED JOEY
Earlier This Week GREENWICH ROUNDUP Reported That Our Sources Say That The Mystery Driver's Toxicology Test Results Have Been In For A While.
Police probe of fatal accident continues
Police say they are still investigating the fatal Sheephill Road accident that killed 20-year-old Joseph Borselio and have not yet filed an application for an arrest warrant with state Superior Court in Stamford.
Police say they are still investigating the fatal Sheephill Road accident that killed 20-year-old Joseph Borselio and have not yet filed an application for an arrest warrant with state Superior Court in Stamford.
Officers are still gathering information about the accident, which occurred on Oct. 5, according to the traffic unit. Police previously said they are pursuing criminal charges against the driver involved in the accident.
Sgt. Timothy Berry, who is heading the investigation, was not available for comment on the status of the toxicology reports or when a warrant affidavit might be submitted.....
....Borselio was struck by a white Jeep Cherokee around 11:30 p.m. Oct. 5 while riding his bicycle north on Sheephill Road, near the intersection with Sound Beach Avenue Extension, police said.
Berry said Borselio was carried on the car for some distance down the road after being struck and was found in a driveway on Sheephill Road. The driver's vehicle was found down the road from the victim, next to a telephone pole it had struck before coming to a stop, according to Berry.
A man standing near the car identified himself to officers as the driver and said his vehicle collided with the victim, according to a police press release.
Police have not released the name of the driver, noting that they do not release the names of those involved in current criminal investigations. Police did say the driver is a resident of Greenwich in his 20s.
Full Story
Police say they are still investigating the fatal Sheephill Road accident that killed 20-year-old Joseph Borselio and have not yet filed an application for an arrest warrant with state Superior Court in Stamford.
Police say they are still investigating the fatal Sheephill Road accident that killed 20-year-old Joseph Borselio and have not yet filed an application for an arrest warrant with state Superior Court in Stamford.
Officers are still gathering information about the accident, which occurred on Oct. 5, according to the traffic unit. Police previously said they are pursuing criminal charges against the driver involved in the accident.
Sgt. Timothy Berry, who is heading the investigation, was not available for comment on the status of the toxicology reports or when a warrant affidavit might be submitted.....
....Borselio was struck by a white Jeep Cherokee around 11:30 p.m. Oct. 5 while riding his bicycle north on Sheephill Road, near the intersection with Sound Beach Avenue Extension, police said.
Berry said Borselio was carried on the car for some distance down the road after being struck and was found in a driveway on Sheephill Road. The driver's vehicle was found down the road from the victim, next to a telephone pole it had struck before coming to a stop, according to Berry.
A man standing near the car identified himself to officers as the driver and said his vehicle collided with the victim, according to a police press release.
Police have not released the name of the driver, noting that they do not release the names of those involved in current criminal investigations. Police did say the driver is a resident of Greenwich in his 20s.
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Please Also See:
10/06/08 Breaking News (Updated): Greenwich Bike Rider Killed At 11:30 Last Night. ----- Or THE GREENWICH TIME CAN'T KEEP TIME
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10/31/08 Camillo, Krumeich hit the streets for votes - Greenwich Time
Since announcing their respective candidacies last spring, Republican Fred Camillo and Democrat Ed Krumeich have debated all over town and walked nearly every street in the 151st District they hope to represent at the state House next term.
The race will soon be over for the Greenwich natives, and a new career will begin for just one.
Despite a cold, Camillo, 46, a mortgage banker, has spent the last few weeks like he's spent all others since May - pounding the pavement in the district, which includes all of Greenwich with the exception of the backcountry and the shore.
"It's been very, very positive," Camillo said Tuesday of his campaign. "I saw some old friends and I met some new ones."
The MacArthur Drive resident will spend Election Day visiting the polls, introducing himself to voters. Later that evening, he'll be among friends - including uncontested state Reps. Livvy Floren of the 149th District and Lile Gibbons of the 150th - at the Republican Town Committee headquarters at 407 E. Putnam Ave. ....
...Since announcing his candidacy, Krumeich has stressed the need for bipartisan Greenwich representation in Hartford. The Democratic supermajority there targets Greenwich as a source of revenue without giving much back in the way of services, he said.
By working from inside the majority caucus, the former chairman of the Board of Social Services and longtime Board of Estimate and Taxation member said he hopes to achieve four things for Greenwich and the state if elected: health insurance and access to affordable, quality health care for every resident; improved mass transportation to relieve congestion on streets and highways; a clean Long Island Sound and blue skies through the increased use of renewable energy; and an education system that prepares all Connecticut students for the 21st Century and the global marketplace.
Krumeich's endorsements include the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, the Protective Services Employees Coalition, the National Association of Social Workers, Connecticut Chapter, the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters of Connecticut, and the Connecticut AFL-CIO.
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The race will soon be over for the Greenwich natives, and a new career will begin for just one.
Despite a cold, Camillo, 46, a mortgage banker, has spent the last few weeks like he's spent all others since May - pounding the pavement in the district, which includes all of Greenwich with the exception of the backcountry and the shore.
"It's been very, very positive," Camillo said Tuesday of his campaign. "I saw some old friends and I met some new ones."
The MacArthur Drive resident will spend Election Day visiting the polls, introducing himself to voters. Later that evening, he'll be among friends - including uncontested state Reps. Livvy Floren of the 149th District and Lile Gibbons of the 150th - at the Republican Town Committee headquarters at 407 E. Putnam Ave. ....
...Since announcing his candidacy, Krumeich has stressed the need for bipartisan Greenwich representation in Hartford. The Democratic supermajority there targets Greenwich as a source of revenue without giving much back in the way of services, he said.
By working from inside the majority caucus, the former chairman of the Board of Social Services and longtime Board of Estimate and Taxation member said he hopes to achieve four things for Greenwich and the state if elected: health insurance and access to affordable, quality health care for every resident; improved mass transportation to relieve congestion on streets and highways; a clean Long Island Sound and blue skies through the increased use of renewable energy; and an education system that prepares all Connecticut students for the 21st Century and the global marketplace.
Krumeich's endorsements include the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, the Protective Services Employees Coalition, the National Association of Social Workers, Connecticut Chapter, the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters of Connecticut, and the Connecticut AFL-CIO.
Full Story
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10/31/08 Long ‘Knight’ for Cards - Greenwich Post
Greenwich senior Camryn Ferrara looks on after a tough Friday night. During Greenwich’s game against St. Joseph, the Cards fell behind early and weren’t able to regroup, falling 44-7 at Cardinal Stadium.
At halftime, the Knights held a 28-7 lead. Big Red’s lone score came when quarterback Mike Lefflbine threw a 24-yard touchdown strike to Ricky Riscica. With the touchdown, Greenwich scored more points on St. Joe’s than any team combined this season.
Demetrius Ferguson had four catches for 63 yards and Matt Grant had six receptions for 71 yards. With the loss, Greenwich fell to 4-3 overall on the season and all but ended its chance at defending its class LL championship.
— Avery Belicka photo
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10/31/08 'Dinnertime Bandit' gets 15 years in prison - Associated Press
A man dubbed the “Dinnertime Bandit” for brazenly burglarizing upscale Connecticut homes in the 1990s while their residents were home was sentenced last Friday to 15 years in prison.
Alan Golder, 53, told The Associated Press in a prison interview in February that he burglarized hundreds of homes from 1975 until 1980, including those of Johnny Carson, the Kennedys in Florida and singer Glen Campbell.
“I liked the planning,” Mr. Golder said then. “I liked the execution. I liked the reward.”
Mr. Golder was dubbed the “Dinnertime Bandit” after several Greenwich-area homes were burglarized in 1996 and 1997.
Stamford Superior Court Judge John Kavenewsky sentenced Mr. Golder on Friday to 10 years for each of two burglaries for which he was convicted, 12 years for a larceny conviction and 15 years for kidnapping. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Before he was sentenced, Mr. Golder told the judge that he was confused and blamed defense attorney Howard Ehring for his conviction.
“I believe Howard Ehring sold me out,” Mr. Golder said. “I think the jury was confused when they found me guilty.”
But Judge Kavenewsky told Mr. Golder that he had no one to blame but himself.
“Mr. Golder, you may have some grandiose illusions that you are an icon in the industry,” Judge Kavenewsky said. “But put simply, you are a convict.”
Prosecutors had asked for a 30-year prison sentence.
“He is a career burglar who took pride in his methodology. He had it down to a science,” Assistant State’s Attorney Joseph Valdes said.
Mr. Ehring argued for a seven-year sentence, noting Mr. Golder’s age and that he served a year in jail in Belgium before his extradition.
In 1978, real estate developer Lawrence Lever was fatally shot at his New York home by an accomplice of Mr. Golder’s during a break-in. Golder served 15 years in prison and was paroled in June 1996.
The Connecticut thefts began three months after Mr. Golder’s release. Prosecutors argued the Connecticut burglaries bore his signature style. They say Mr. Golder scaled mansion walls wearing a black “ninja”-type suit and hood, slipped through second-floor windows during dinnertime and stole jewelry and property worth nearly $1 million. In one case, he tied up a woman in her home.
Mr. Golder fled the country in 1997 to live in Europe. He was arrested in Belgium in 2006 and extradited to Connecticut.
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10/31/08 Volunteers donate Japanese bazaar proceeds - Greenwich Post
The Japanese women's volunteer group Kalmia has contributed proceeds from the Japanese Bazaar held at Septemberfest on Sept. 14 to the United Way of Greenwich. From left, United Way president Stuart Adelberg thanked Michiko Okazaki, Natsuko Shiotsuki, Ikuko Yabunami, Yuka Furuichi and Keiko Kosaka for their support.
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10/31/08 PRESS RELEASE: Town to hold leaf pickup
The town will provide leaf collection to all properties on public streets in building zones R-20 (half-acre) and below.
The leaf collection program is conducted for a six to eight-week period from mid-November to mid-December, and may be adjusted, at the discretion of the town, in the event of adverse weather conditions. Weather permitting, the town provides two collections per numeric section during the leaf collection program.
When a section has received its second collection, it will be incumbent upon the residents to remove all residual leaf piles. On average, the town removes in excess of 30,000 cubic yards of leaves each year.Residents in the collection areas are to rake leaves only into piles at the shoulder, off the pavement of the road.
Residents are requested to avoid raking leaves onto the pavement, sidewalks, catch basin grates and open channels, which cause drainage and flooding problems during periods of rain. Sticks, branches and garden refuse will not be collected.Twenty-four hour leaf collection scheduling information is available by calling the leaf collection hotline, 618-7698.
Depending on rapid progress or inclement weather delays, the hotline schedule is updated daily with data provided by the foremen. The town recommends that residents stay ahead by raking early and frequently.
The first collection will begin on Wednesday, Nov. 12, in sections number 1, 2, 3 and 4. Collection will begin on Wednesday, Nov. 19 in Sections Number 11, 13 and 17. Once the first collection is completed, the second and final collection will begin. Street names with corresponding
Section Numbers can be obtained at the town website Greenwichct.org.
The leaf collection program is conducted for a six to eight-week period from mid-November to mid-December, and may be adjusted, at the discretion of the town, in the event of adverse weather conditions. Weather permitting, the town provides two collections per numeric section during the leaf collection program.
When a section has received its second collection, it will be incumbent upon the residents to remove all residual leaf piles. On average, the town removes in excess of 30,000 cubic yards of leaves each year.Residents in the collection areas are to rake leaves only into piles at the shoulder, off the pavement of the road.
Residents are requested to avoid raking leaves onto the pavement, sidewalks, catch basin grates and open channels, which cause drainage and flooding problems during periods of rain. Sticks, branches and garden refuse will not be collected.Twenty-four hour leaf collection scheduling information is available by calling the leaf collection hotline, 618-7698.
Depending on rapid progress or inclement weather delays, the hotline schedule is updated daily with data provided by the foremen. The town recommends that residents stay ahead by raking early and frequently.
The first collection will begin on Wednesday, Nov. 12, in sections number 1, 2, 3 and 4. Collection will begin on Wednesday, Nov. 19 in Sections Number 11, 13 and 17. Once the first collection is completed, the second and final collection will begin. Street names with corresponding
Section Numbers can be obtained at the town website Greenwichct.org.
10/31/08 Happy 'Howl' oween - Greenwich Post
Coco, owned by Dawn Stuttig of Old Greenwich, wearing the jeans and singlet, won first prize as most unusual and Angus, owned by Marie Kruger of Old Greenwich, won third prize as the scariest at Adopt-A-Dog’s first annual Howl and Prowl pet and people parade and contest.
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10/31/08 Police Blotter Via The Greenwich Post
The following are Oct. 31’s released arrests:
THREATENING
Elizabeth Migliore, 41, of 28 Sherman Ave. was arrested Oct. 30 and charged with threatening and disorderly conduct. Police responded to a report of vandalism and were met by a man who said he had walked out to his car that morning and discovered a scratch along the right side of it. The man reportedly told police he believed Migliore, who is the second floor tenant in his building, was responsible. According to police, Migliore denied vandalizing the car, but when the officer went back to talk to the man again she opened her second floor window and yelled a threat at him. Migliore was released on a $250 cash bond and is due in court Nov. 14.
Source: http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12719:police-watch-oct-31&catid=212:greenwich-police-watch&Itemid=660
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THREATENING
Elizabeth Migliore, 41, of 28 Sherman Ave. was arrested Oct. 30 and charged with threatening and disorderly conduct. Police responded to a report of vandalism and were met by a man who said he had walked out to his car that morning and discovered a scratch along the right side of it. The man reportedly told police he believed Migliore, who is the second floor tenant in his building, was responsible. According to police, Migliore denied vandalizing the car, but when the officer went back to talk to the man again she opened her second floor window and yelled a threat at him. Migliore was released on a $250 cash bond and is due in court Nov. 14.
Source: http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12719:police-watch-oct-31&catid=212:greenwich-police-watch&Itemid=660
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10/31/08 Selectmen may cut back on plan for seniors - Greenwich Time
Concerned about the fiscal ramifications for the town and that there might not be enough money to go around, the Board of Selectmen is leaning toward scaling back a proposal to expand senior property tax relief.
Instead of raising the annual income cap from $39,000 to $65,000 for the program, a ceiling of $60,000 was settled on Thursday as selectmen took up the proposal for the second time in as many weeks.
The board also expressed its reluctance to include a provision in the town's elderly tax relief ordinance that would increase the total amount available for property tax credits from the current $1 million by $250,000 yearly, favoring that any increases be tied to the consumer price index for the area.
Selectmen also balked at a request that the town offer seniors the option to defer their property taxes until after they die, until the cost of the measure, which some have estimated at $7 million annually, could be determined.
"I don't think anyone can argue with the virtues it. (But) we don't know the fiscal impact," First Selectman Peter Tesei said of a deferral program.
Such a provision would allow participants to put off paying their taxes to future years, usually at an interest rate of 4 percent to 6 percent. The town would be reimbursed for deferred money when the resident sold his or her home or dies.
Town resident Frank Manley, who isn't eligible for the program himself but has taken an interest in the issue, told selectmen that a deferral option
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Instead of raising the annual income cap from $39,000 to $65,000 for the program, a ceiling of $60,000 was settled on Thursday as selectmen took up the proposal for the second time in as many weeks.
The board also expressed its reluctance to include a provision in the town's elderly tax relief ordinance that would increase the total amount available for property tax credits from the current $1 million by $250,000 yearly, favoring that any increases be tied to the consumer price index for the area.
Selectmen also balked at a request that the town offer seniors the option to defer their property taxes until after they die, until the cost of the measure, which some have estimated at $7 million annually, could be determined.
"I don't think anyone can argue with the virtues it. (But) we don't know the fiscal impact," First Selectman Peter Tesei said of a deferral program.
Such a provision would allow participants to put off paying their taxes to future years, usually at an interest rate of 4 percent to 6 percent. The town would be reimbursed for deferred money when the resident sold his or her home or dies.
Town resident Frank Manley, who isn't eligible for the program himself but has taken an interest in the issue, told selectmen that a deferral option
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