We Will Never Forget!

Although it has been 10 years since the horrendous attacks on September 11, 2001, the feeling of anguish and mourning are still ever present. Last Sunday, on the anniversary of 9/11, I attended a local commemoration of those that perished in the attacks 10 years ago. The small gathering of the tight knit community of the Five Towns made the sentiment of the day hit home, closer than ever before. Throughout the ceremony, many speakers, including New York State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, came to recall their memories of the cool perfect September morning gone wrong.  The ceremony’s apex occurred when there was the reading of the 9/11 granite markers of the local heroes that perished on that fateful day. Memories were shared, as tears were chocked back by everyone that was affected by the horrors of 9/11.  The ceremony concluded with the Lawrence High School Philharmonic playing a set list of patriotic songs, selected with the proper emotions in mind for this solemn day. The songs included: “Fanfare for the Common Man”, “God Bless America”, “Someone to Watch Over Me”, and several other songs. Although time has passed, the memories are still fresh, may we never forget those heroes that have fallen:  Neil D. Levin, Thoman E. Jurgens, Kevin O’Rouke, Betina Browne Radburn, Joseph Rivelli, Jr., Ira Zaslow, and the countless others that have not passed away in vain.

Two videos of the performance can be viewed right below.

A 9/11 Story

No matter how far we get from the tragedy that became of September 11, 2001, the story and feelings are, and always will be fresh in ones heart. On september 8th, Queens College organized a remembrance day for those that have perished on 9/11. In honor of the fallen, stories were told, and emotions were shared. The orchestra that performed, enhanced the feelings, as they beautifully played an eclectic program of song befitting for such a somber day.
Almost everyone has a story for that fateful day. Whether one can feel the effect that day had on his life, or if he could just remember where he was; it will never be forgotten.
Below is the story of one of the musicians from the orchestra.

Below is a short video of a piece that the orchestra played.

Finding the Middle Ground between Science and Religion: Art


    Damien Hirst’s Legend at Chatsworth House; photo taken by Mark Brown

There are some people that like to be purists, and believe in just the simplicity of everything, to let an object’s true beauty reveal its self without any additives; others believe that the combination, the sum of two ideas can be greater than the parts. Damien Hirst has definitely found his liking with the latter, in a way, he is like your favorite mixologist, combining different flavors for that one delectable drink. Damien Hirst has once again seemed to have done the almost impossible by blending two usually battling force into majestic art pieces.  Known for his usual odd blend of science and art, this time Hirst has added religion to the mix in the form of mythical creatures. One of his new pieces, Legend, is a winged horse that has been partly surgically flayed, exposing muscle and bone. Hirst’s goal is to maintain the beauty of the mythical creature while showing it with the same anatomy as any normal horse. Hirst achieved the task of bringing down the heavenly to the earth while transcending the earthbound to the heavens.

What do you think will be interesting to see mixed that isn’t normally paired up?

To read the full article, click here.