Scene Around

"This is my town"...

That is the name of the newest BARRY MANILOW album. It refers to New York City, of course. (This is also my town!) Although I have been living here in Central Florida for more than half a century, I still walk, talk and think like a New Yawka. See what I mean?

Oy vay department...

I read this bit of disturbing news in the current issue of the World Jewish Congress digest and pass it along to you in its entirety:

"The Palestinian terror group Hamas, has elected one of the commanders of its armed wing as its leader in the Gaza Strip.

YEHIYA SINWAR from the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades replaces Ismail Haniyeh, a former prime minister in the territory's Hamas-run government. Sinwar was convicted and imprisoned in Israel for murder, but freed under a deal when Hamas released an Israeli in 2011. The 55-year-old Sinwar is known to oppose any compromise with the Jewish state.

Hamas rejects Israel's right to exist and the group's charter calls for Israel's destruction. Hamas is designated a terrorist group by the European Union, the United States and other world powers. The U.S. added Sinwar to its terrorism blacklist in September 2015.

The terror group has been in a state of conflict for years with Israel, with whom it has fought three wars since 2008. Hamas, which won the last parliamentary elections in the Palestinian territories in 2006, has dominated Gaza since ousting forces loyal to Palestinian Authority President MAHMOUD ABBAS in 2007.

Israeli officials said Sinwar's appointment merely trades "one extremist with another."

COS Seniors...

The last meeting of the COS Seniors season was a few weeks ago and featured the talented clarinetist, ALLAN VACHE.

He had with him the fabulous CHARLIE SILVA on bass (I performed with him years ago at the Citrus Club), MARK McKEE, pianist, WALT HUBBARD, drums, and the very lovely vocalist, ASHLEY LOCHEED, who was not only a pleasure to hear but a pleasure to look at!

(And they had my cookies!)

Terrific Thursdays...

The JCC39ers, presided over by the very capable and wonderful RUTH (BILLIE) GOLDHAR and LILLIAN BERKOWITZ, will hold a "Popcorn Event" on Thursday, June 29th. There will be a special showing of the film "Being Julia."

So why not escape the heat and come for a really "cool" film.

Another terrific film ...

On the JCC39er's Cinema Sundays, the wonderful movie "Manchester by the Sea" featuring CASEY AFFLECK will be featured. WOW! (Who needs cookies?)

The date for the showing is Sunday, June 25th. For further information, phone the JCC at 407-645-5933.

Shout-Out...

AutoNation Toyota of Winter Park is lucky to have NOAH CADWELL as its assistant service manager. I was treated so wonderfully by him, like a son, in fact.

One for the road...

Morris says to his friend Max, "My wife Beckie is two hours late to meet me here."

Max responds, "She's probably been kidnapped or she's been involved in a terrible car crash or she's shopping."

Morris replys,"Oy vay! I hope she's not shopping!"