Some of the congregants of the fledgling Trinity United Methodist Church in our New York City seaside community of City Island were surprised when their new pastor arrived – and they see that he is a Korean.
Though worlds apart, this new pastor and the congregants are slowly discovering common ground in matters of friendship and devotion. Through their camaraderie, and with laughter, they will find solace and healing in each other.
The Jewish High Holidays in some cases can be considered to be kind of a ratings book. Synagogues are packed with audiences — many of them tune a couple of times a year — expecting to be entertained, informed and perhaps even impressed by the sermons they hear. This year, some rabbis are getting help from another powerful American force - Holy Wood.
Don't even think of visiting Orchard Beach this weekend. NYC officials urge everyone to stay off City beaches because they're all closed. They are trying to prevent anyone from drowning.
The same thing goes for Pelham Park, officials are urging everyone to stay out of all NYC parks. They say there is a chance someone may get hurt as a result of falling trees & branches.
Restaurant owners have no love for Hurricane Irene.Their weekend business is awash, as many customers stay far away as a result of Hurricane Irene's possible dangerous conditions.
As City Island Images previously reported, Hurricane Irene may have boosted business for Buddy's hardware store and IGA supermarket on City Island, but there will likely be plenty of restaurant owners, who are the financial losers that will be left in her wake.
When I was a little boy, growing up in Habana, we used to say "San Ysidro el Labrador... Quita el agua, y pon el sol". It means - San Ysidro, take away the water and bring in the sun.
The American Red Cross is setting up dozens of shelters across the East Coast. Shelters can be located on a map the organization maintains on is Web site. The Red Cross can also be contacted at 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
The US Defense Department has told over 6,000 active duty troops to stand by and make sure they are ready just in case there's an order for them to help with Hurricane Irene relief work.
This special request for stand by help comes from officials of the states in the path of the storm.
Meanwhile FEMA has mobilized their troops along the coastline, including New York and New Jersey to assist with as many resource and personnel requests.
"There has been Lots of panic buying", the words from City Island Supermarket owner Gabe Scavello. He says he still has plenty of food supplies, but adds that he is running out of batteries and reports his water supplies are extremely low. Gabe says he has seen a 50% increase in traffic over a normal day at IGA.
Metro Transit Authority officials have canceled all employee time off to close the America's largest subway system, which usually carries about 6 millions passengers a day and covers around 840 miles of track. These include, the #6, 5 2 Trains and all subway lines and 29. 12 Buses. MTA system-wide will shut down and railways in the states of New York and New Jersey.
IRENE GETTING CLOSER. Arrives Sunday Morning.
SLIGHTLY WEAKER. Will Rock New York.
PREPARE FOR WORST. Dangerous Flooding Conditions.
TRANSIT SHUTDOWN - BRIDGE TOLLS SUSPENDED. Whitestone, Throgsneck...etc.
BIG APPLE. Bug Vibes About The Wrath of Hurricane Irene.