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GENERALLY SPEAKING: Week of January 5

January 9, 2012 Theodore W. General

Photo courtesy of Ted General.

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LaGuardia shows us the way!

ORLANDO, FLORIDA. The decision-makers in our city’sTransportation Department should be hanging their heads in shamefor not permitting Christmas or Hanukkah decorations this year atthe Staten Island Ferry Terminal.

When we departed for Orlando, Florida from LaGuardia Airport,there were electronic signs proudly proclaiming God Bless OurTroops AND Merry Christmas. When we arrived at the OrlandoAirport there were Yuletide decorations galore. It was alsorefreshing and reassuring to see elaborate Christmas parades anddisplays at all the major theme parks in Florida.

Walt Disney World is celebrating its 40th anniversary and sincewe honeymooned where Dreams Come True, four decades ago, we wereback at the Magic Kingdom to also commemorate our 40th anniversaryyear.

However, since this place has become one of the hottest touristattractions in the world, and the Christmas break is one of thebusiest times of the year, the on-site parking lots quickly reachedcapacity, closing some theme parks to additional patrons. Despitedifficult financial times both in this country and in Europe, itapparently had little impact on the record crowds here.

While watching a TV special on decorating the White House forChristmas, it was amusing to see, while the national flower is theRose, among the Christmas holly, garlands, poinsettia this year wasBay Ridge’s official flower, the hydrangea.

We ran out of space last week, but we would like recognize thetop-notch musicians from Fort Hamilton High School that came overto the Shore Hill Community Room to entertain the members of theBay Ridge AARP during their Christmas/Hanau Party. They includeguitarist and songwriter Shauwl Germelus andviolist Jessica Li and fellow ensemble membersStephanie DaltonBrian Wang andLeslie Chen.

Army General Arnie Albert (Ret.) tipped us thatBill Guarinello

Staten Islander Alex Borgognone; thus far theonly Democratic challenger to announce formally he was runningagainst GOP Congressmember Michael Grimm

While Councilmember Vinnie Gentile has beenmentioned elsewhere as a possibility, this corner doesn’t think so.He’s far from the richest member of the City Council and right now,the municipal lawmaker has his hands full trying to pay off legalcosts and the nearly $27,000 fine he recently received from theCity Campaign Finance Board.

Additionally, he is not yet term-limited, and is almost ashoo-in for still another term and perhaps, a senior council postor chairmanship? Another possible contender may be city publicadvocate staffer Mark Murphy

Brooklyn Democrats for Change has button-holed for its nextguest speaker Norman Siegel

Andrew Gounardes

The Amity Post of the American Legion is holding its annualholiday party on Sunday, January 15, at the Bay Ridge Manor, from 1to 6 p.m. Tickets are $55 each and reservations can be made bycalling 718-745-0133 or 718-748-3150. MichaelMoylan is the post commander.

Fifth and sixth graders from the Poly Preparatory Country DaySchool decorated a large Christmas Tree in the lobby of the FortHamilton Army Garrison Headquarters Building. Among the tinyAmerican Flags, peace symbols, was a small sign that reads, Thankyou for your service to our country.