Out & About

I am back with some good news about my activities in the last week and there's a lot to tell you as I was at Citi Field in Flushing, Queens to see the New York Mets on Tuesday and at the Meadowlands on Wednesday to see Irelands number one band U2.

This band just gets better by age, let me tell you, and they played to 95,000 at the Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey last Wednesday night and the crowd went wild including myself.

I was in the company of Pat Burke and his wife Lillian, Ed Fitzmaurice and his wife Roseanna, Eamonn Maher and his wife Jean and Johnny Butler and a lot of other bar owners and bartenders who were out for a good night; and that it was as we all headed back the the Pig'N'Whistle on 36th Street off Seventh Avenue (but that's another story).

The New York Mets on last Tuesday was a good event too as I had my family out with me together with my nephew and his girlfriend from Cork.

It was a hot one let me tell you. The Mets won (would you believe it?), maybe because I was at the game?

Thanks to Budweiser we had a great box seats and of course a few cold ones; ah, I love it! Well as I've said before somebody has to do it....

The following was sent to me by my friend James Kelly who represents GOAL here in New York: Hundreds of thousands of hapless Somalis will die unless a way can be found to truck food deep into the East African country. This is the view of GOAL, whose CEO John O'Shea said today: "this tragedy is about innocent vulnerable people, affected by war, being unable to access the food they need desperately. Air drops of food will not keep the Somali people alive.

"The Irish Government must impress upon the international community the need for military intervention in Somalia to expedite the Horn of Africa relief effort."

Stressing the urgency of the unfolding humanitarian crisis, O'Shea added; "it isn't safe for aid workers to enter war-torn Somalia, the country worst-affected by the terrible drought, so thousands of drought-stricken malnourished Somali refugees are having to trek for weeks on foot to neighbouring countries to find the aid they so desperately need.

"Numerous lives are being lost as a result, and countless others are being put at risk. This is a horrendous situation that must be tackled immediately."

O'Shea continued: "the UN is currently floating the idea that aid can be channelled through the Al-Qaeda-linked Islamist group, al-Shabab. The notion that this group can be trusted to deliver vital supplies to the people of Somalia is ludicrous, as evidenced by there being no lessening in the flow of refugees into neighbouring countries.

"The Irish Government most impress upon the United Nations that the only solution is for the UN to intervene militarily in Somalia and create a safe corridor for food, water and medical care to be delivered directly to the people by trustworthy agencies." '

In terms of its own response, GOAL yesterday completed its second delivery of non-food items to the Dadaab refugee camp in Eastern Kenya.

Later in the week, at the same location, the organisation intends to distribute large quantities of tents to those seeking sanctuary.

Meanwhile in Ethiopia, GOAL is heavily involved in providing food and medicine to those affected by the drought.

Now that is a sad one to tell the truth so as you can see they need a lot of help and we at The Irish Examiner newspaper will do our best to highlight the problems and how the Irish are helping.

On a lighter note the Rose of Tralee is coming up soon in Tralee, County Kerry and we got some news about what is happening on this side of the Atlantic: the 2011 Big Apple Escort William Lee, III will be representing New York City at the Rose of Tralee International Festival. The Long Island native will be the only U.S. escort candidate to participate in the Festival this August.

The  USG Performing Arts Presenters, LLC hosted the 2011 Big Apple Rose of Tralee Festival Weekend at the legendary Hudson Theatre in Times Square in March.

Selections of a Big Apple Rose, Escort, Junior Roses, and Rosebuds were announced at the end of March:  Caitlin McNeill, of Brooklyn, New York, was crowned the Big Apple Rose of Tralee and William Lee, III, of Mineola, New York, the Escort.

Both Mr. Lee and Miss McNeill have been selected as finalists and are going on to Tralee to represent New York City at the Rose of Tralee International Festival from August 19th to the 24th.

The Rose of Tralee International Festival is one of Ireland's largest and longest running festivals, now in its 52nd year.

The heart of the Festival is the selection of the Rose of Tralee, which brings young women of Irish descent from around the world to County Kerry for a global celebration of Irish culture.

The Festival also includes street entertainment, a carnival, live concerts, theatre performances, a circus, markets, a funfair, fireworks, and the internationally renowned Rose Parade.

The Rose of Tralee programs encourage young women and men of Irish ancestry to take pride in their Irish heritage and to get involved in service to their local Irish communities.

Judging is based on communication skills, poise, personality, talent, well-roundedness in life, an essay, and Irish pride.

The primary role of the 32 Escorts is to look after the Roses and to ensure that their time at the Festival is a memorable and enjoyable experience. 

Escorts attend all five days of the Festival, including the Gala Rose Ball and the Rose Parade.

They serve as ambassadors for the objectives, traditions, and ethos of the Rose of Tralee International Festival.

Escorts not only provide support and assistance to the 32 Roses, but also work with the entire Festival Management Team to ensure a smooth delivery of the event. 

Escorts undertake duties and participate in activities and functions for the Rose of Tralee Sponsors and the Charity Partner, which is the 1Life organization for 2011.

William Lee III, 28, is from Mineola, New York.  He graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in Finance and now works as a licensed personal banker at JP Morgan Chase Bank in Manhattan. 

His various financial licenses allow him to advise customers on mutual funds, life insurance, and annuities, and he enjoys developing such trusting relationships that will not only generate business but provide personal fulfillment.

Some of his hobbies include swimming, hiking, and basketball. 

He is a member of the Irish Business Organization (IBO) of New York, the Ancient Order of the Hibernians (AOH) Division 1 NY County, the Irish Network of NYC (IN-NYC), the Irish American Bar Association of New York (IABANY), and the Northeastern University Alumni NYC chapter.

He is also a Marching Units Judge for the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade.  Bill has served as an Eagle Scout, and was previously employed at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

I should be getting paid for all these announcements, just kidding; I love getting the word out in what happens in the community as that is what we are here for.

The Tugboat Roundup, presented by the Waterford Historical Society, will be happening on September 9th, 10th and 11th. You can contact Tugboat Roundup, c/o Town of Waterford, 65 Broad St., Waterford, NY 12188 or call or write Mary Shannon Carrigan at:   carriganm@town.waterford.ny.us.

What a day it was last Sunday when Manchester United Old Trafford Legend Pat (Paddy) Crerand (from 1963 until 1972) entered Nevada Smiths, the home of football in New York City, if not all of America, with the Premiership Trophy to the excitement of the fans that waited to see him and the trophy. Everybody was taking lots of pictures and Paddy was a great ambassador for football and for Manchester United. It was a great thrill to see him again and with the biggest trophy to come to New York City - the Premiership Trophy - it was great.

See you all next week...