Dan's Papers - August 15, 2008

Dear Dan,
I would like to share my latest exercise tip with you and your readers. I use two one gallon plastic bottles. The handles make for a comfortable fit for your hands. Doing curls etc. Works great!
You can increase the work out, as you get stronger. One bottle is filled with laundry detergent; the other bottle is filled with fabric softener.
The last time I worked out using the bottles I hurt my back. I think the next time I work out using the bottles, I will use two bottles of fabric softener. That way it won't be so hard on my back! I know I'm getting stronger. Every time I do a load of laundry and work out the bottles fell lighter! You will find this a good way improve your health well at least your clothes will be clean!

Try them filled with Vodka. That will cure your back problem. - DR

Dear Dan,
"The View From the Ferry" (Greg Burt - July 18) reminds me of potential future transportation options from New York City to both the North and South Fork. It brings to mind the explorer Henry Hudson. Our waterways are an underutilized natural asset. Most of our existing public transportation and roadways are already operating at or above capacity. New ferry services can be implemented far more quickly than construction of new commuter rail or highways. These can take years or even decades by the time you complete environmental reviews, planning, design, engineering, real estate acquisition, permits, procurement, construction, budgeting, identifying and securing funding over time to cover all of the above various project costs before reaching beneficial use. Completing all of the above along with finding funding for ferry boats, docks and parking with costs in the millions may be easier than finding the billions of dollars necessary for construction of new or extended subway, commuter rail or highways. Utilization of ferryboats can also make a positive contribution to air quality.

Not using a combustion engine makes even a better contribution. - DR

Dear Dan,
In your July 25th issue of Dan's Papers, in the article about the Montauk Yacht Club (page 39), you mentioned that in 1944 there were only two docks in Lake Montauk, and referred two one of them as "Harbor Bonner's Fuel Dock." Charlie Bonner was my father's great uncle. As far as we know that dock was always referred to, as "Charlie Bonner's Fuel Dock," and we're curious as to where you heard the name you used in the article?