Letters to the Editor: Jaywalkers Beware, Sunday was Super

Jaywalkers Better Beware

 To the Editor:

Last Thursday evening I made an error that nearly cost me my life. I was nearly killed by a motorist turning right on to West Park Avenue from Rev. J.J. Evans Boulevard, the street between the Long Island Rail Road station and Waldbaum’s shopping center.

I was on my way to catching the 5:14 train to Manhattan, and instead of crossing the street from the corner, I proceeded to walk across Park Avenue. Since the light was in my favor, counting down from 10 second to three, I knew I could easily cross the street and make my train.

However, as I was crossing, a motorist barely stopped at the slanted stop sign on the corner, and drove his vehicle dangerously close to me as he turned right but was looking left. He swerved out of my way and then proceeded to accelerate so he could beat the red light as he headed west on West Park Avenue.

I was incredibly shaken and own the responsibility of jaywalking, something I will never do again. I urge all LIRR commuters to heed my advice at this corner, where motorists look left while turning right. Many pay no attention to the stop sign there and to any pedestrians. If there was ever a need for a sign that says “New York State Law/Yield to Pedestrians in Crosswalk,” it’s at this location.

Perhaps similar signs should be placed on East Park Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, near the Associated supermarket, where a pedestrian was killed in recent years. 

Michele Reinbach
Long Beach
www.slowdownthetown.com

Sunday Was Truly Super in Long Beach

To the Editor:

If there were an official holiday to celebrate Long Beach, Super Bowl Sunday would be it.

The annual Long Beach Polar Bears Plunge would be the official celebration. No matter how many years I go to watch (yes, watch) this outstanding coming together of our community, my heart never fails to swell. The sheer number of people who stripped to their skivvies — no matter how bitterly cold — to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and to share in the community camaraderie is mind-boggling.

Standing on a bench just west of the ramp at Edwards Boulevard, it appeared that literally thousands of bathers and their cheerleaders blanketed the beach clear down to Riverside Boulevard. It was a truly awesome sight to behold!

No less enthralling was the parade of characters up on the boardwalk. There were four young athletes in black Speedos (ahem) who turned heads coming and going. There was the polar bear in the bikini, topless Santa and legions of people in bathrobes, furry caps with paws and all manner of beachwear. And let's not forget the official Polar Bear uniform: my husband Darryl and I were the ones in the sweatshirts, in case you saw us.

After walking the water line to ogle and admire the free and the brave, we strolled to the Allegria Hotel for post-plunge libations. Sitting by the lounge fireplace was something of a return to the scene of the crime, since we had been there the night before to attend the Polar Bears’ cocktail party. So it was a little bit of the hair of the dog, if you know what I mean.

Moving from there to our friends' annual Super Bowl party was the perfect end to a perfect day. Great food, great friends. Oh, did someone say football? Was that on the line up, too?

Julie Gelfand
Long Beach
www.lovinlongbeach.blogspot.com