Bruce F. Lowitt is a freelance writer based in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. He had a long career as a sports writer for the Associated Press and for the St. Petersburg (Florida) Times prior to his retirement.
When he’s not Robert J. Entel, MD, MPH, FACR, practicing radiology at Mease hospitals in Dunedin and Countryside and Morton Plant hospitals in Clearwater and New Port Richey, he can often be found in Penny Lane at 730 Broadway in Dunedin, surrounded by an astonishing collection of Beatles memorabilia. [Bruce Lowitt]
Beatles Fan Turns His Hobby into a Museum Read More »
Bruce F. Lowitt, International, Music and Visual Arts, USA
ongress, unwilling or unable to deal with legislation on voting, education, health, infrastructure or anything else of consequence, has now called an audible by deciding to investigate the Washington Football Team’s scandals. The criticism being showered upon the National Football League franchise formerly known as the Redskins involves, in part, the e-mails between Bruce Allen, its former general manager and president, and former Buccaneers and Raiders coach Jon Gruden. [Bruce Lowitt]
Sports Satire: Classic Matchup — Congress vs. Washington Football Team Read More »
Bruce F. Lowitt, Sports & Competitions, USABy Bruce F. Lowitt The Jewish Press of Tampa Bay What once was something of a novelty – the televising of services from a synagogue into the homes of congregants – has become, with COVID-19, a widespread practice. And for two in Florida, including Temple Ahavat Shalom in Palm Harbor, it has made the leap
From Florida to Ukraine: Shabbat Via Zoom Read More »
Bruce F. Lowitt, Jewish Religion, LifestylesBy the time Dr. and Mrs. Bernardo Stein of Seminole, Florida, and Mr. and Mrs. David Abelson of Oldsmar, Florida, had finished the guest list for the wedding of their children, the number had mushroomed well past 400. By the time Arlyn Stein and Adam Abelson walked down the aisle last Dec. 19, the list of “guests” had shrunk to, well, zero. The entire wedding party consisted of the bride and groom, their parents, three siblings and two grandparents. Oh, and Cooper, their 10-month-old mini-poodle. [Bruce F. Lowitt]
Remembrance of a Covid Wedding Read More »
Bruce F. Lowitt, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, USA
Following his granting of clemency to murderers and other felons, aides and allies, President Donald Trump has turned his attention to pardoning athletes and others whose transgressions rocked the sports world. [Satire by Bruce F. Lowitt]
Satire: ‘Greatest Sportsman’ Grants More Pardons Read More »
Bruce F. Lowitt, International, Sports & Competitions, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
The idea that Donald J. (“John,” not “Jewish”) Trump would even consider converting to Judaism is, on its face, outrageous. Then again, Joel H. (“Hugh,” not “Hebrew”) Cohen, has plenty of outrageous thoughts about the 45th president of the United States and has, in the past, humorously and unapologetically expressed them in these pages of the San Diego Jewish World in his column, “Just Kidding.” [Bruce F. Lowitt]
‘Mostly Mishegas’ Satirizes Trump’s Jewish Knowledge Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Bruce F. Lowitt, Donald H. Harrison, Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & Satire
The Anti-Defamation League is offering to high schools and middle schools a curriculum designed to challenge biases and to encourage students to think critically, according to George Selim, ADL’s New York-based senior vice president of programs. “With our powerful, new civics curriculum we’re cultivating the next generation of leaders to actively participate in their communities and champion social justice. We’re especially excited about partnering with Bites Media with their carefully curated articles which lift up and highlight the relevance of our civics lessons.” [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
ADL offers a high school curriculum challenging bias Read More »
Bruce F. Lowitt, Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USAMarcia Vineberg was almost packed and ready to rejoin her husband.It’s complicated. They had moved from Vancouver to this Tampa Bay community on Florida’s gulf coast 10 years ago to care for her mother, who had fallen. Harriet Rand, 95, died in December. And Gerald Vineberg a Canadian native who spent half of each year as a businessman traveling in Europe and Asia, wound up opening The Nosh Kosher Cafe in Tarnow, Poland, three years ago. Then COVID-19 arrived. [Bruce F. Lowitt]
COVID-19 separates couple, threatens Polish restaurant Read More »
Bruce F. Lowitt, International, Travel and Food, USA
Halpern will become only the second hockey player to be inducted into the Jewish Sports Heritage Association, joining Mike Hartman, who played 58 of his 397 career games with the 1992- 93 Lightning during nine NHL seasons. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also has been so honored. The induction ceremony at Temple Israel of Lawrence on Long Island, New York., was originally planned for April 26, but the Coronavirus pandemic forced cancellation of the program until 2021, at a date to be announced. Among this year’s other inductees are former Boston Red Sox infielder Kevin Youkilis, former NBA Commissioner David Stern, author Mitch Albom, boxing analyst Al Bernstein, and the late Ed Sabol and his son, Steve, co-founders of NFL Films. [Bruce F. Lowitt]
NHL’s Halpern a Jewish sports honoree Read More »
Bruce F. Lowitt, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Sports & Competitions, USA
The Lawrence Family JCC has been sending flyers to people throughout the county looking for athletes, artists, volunteers and donors for the 2020 JCC Maccabi Experience, in which over 400 San Diego County teen athletes and artists will become part of a competition among 2,200 teens from throughout the world from Sunday August 2 through Friday, August 7. [Donald H. Harrison]
San Diego gears up for 2020 JCC Maccabi Experience Read More »
Bruce F. Lowitt, Donald H. Harrison, International, Music and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Bruce F. Lowitt TAMPA, Florida — Here’s an astrological chart for my fellow sports fans. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Tampa residents, you’re living in the only major-league market to have never hosted an All-Star Game. If the Rays don’t get a new ballpark, Montreal will host another one before Tampa Bay does. VIRGO (Aug.
By Bruce F. Lowitt CLEARWATER, Florida –Baseball, which has probably cherished statistics since the first strikeout and hit were recorded, has latched on with a passion to “exit velocity” and “launch angle” this season. In the case of the San Diego Padres, does it matter if the ball leaves Ian Kinsler’s bat at 116.5 mph
Baseball stats ever more complex Read More »
Bruce F. Lowitt, San Diego County, Sports & CompetitionsBy Bruce F. Lowitt ZOLFO SPRINGS, Florida – There’s a bit of the Middle East in the middle of Florida, where pomegranates – one of the seven fruits named in Deuteronomy as representing the bounty of Israel – grow in abundance. It’s called Green Sea Farms, 31 acres, six devoted to 130 varieties of pomegranates,
Will High Holy Day Rimon soon be grown in Florida? Read More »
Bruce F. Lowitt, Jewish Religion, Travel and Food, USABy Bruce F. Lowitt CLEARWATER, Florida — Donald H. Harrison’s 77 Miles Of Jewish Stories, a journey along the Kumeyaay Highway (better known as Interstate 8) from the Pacific Ocean to San Diego County’s eastern border, is a wonderful companion to his earlier work, Schlepping Through The American West, vividly revealing often little-known nuggets of
Floridian praises book on San Diego Jews Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Bruce F. Lowitt, Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County