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The Eyes Have It
If I could sing, I could do some quick rendi-
tions of "I Only Have Eyes For You" or "His
Eye Is On the Sparrow" or maybe "Where
Did You Get Those
Eyes?" Rather, I am
going to share some
observations of the
import of the eye.
If you were in
the military (or
at a really strict
boarding school),
you may have
heard the com-
mand "eyes right
(or left)." A sharp
turn of the head to
the indicated direc-
tion was to be immediate. One would
not even think of replying "in a pig's eye"
(never) or one might be picking one's
eyes out of the dirt.
It is always advisable to keep an eye
out — for a bargain, a good-looking per-
son or someone who might catch you at
something nefarious.
If you suffer from eyestrain, I suggest
getting glasses; they will not make you an
eyesore and they may aid you in becom-
ing a better eyewitness. Trying to avoid
involvement, many of us succumb to
shutting our eyes to happenings around
us. If the situation is truly severe, you
may consider opening someone's eyes to
what is going on.
We often hear that the eyes are the
windows to the soul. If so, why is it that
we are often looking elsewhere in evalu-
ating someone we meet?
We try to catch someone's eye; we
say they are eye candy; we make eyes at
them the minute we lay eyes on them.
We feast our eyes on them and then try
to convince them that we have an eye
for — intelligence, beauty, color, form
— whatever your "line" happens to be.
Well, I hope that my words have proved
to be an eye-opener and that as you eye-
ball what I've written (don't just run your
eyes over it), we will come out seeing eye
to eye. If I've given you an eyeful, then
there will be no cause for seeking an eye
for an eye.
Be seeing you! ❑
G
ov. Jennifer Granholm has appointed Oakland County
Treasurer Andy Meisner to the board of the Michigan
State Land Bank Fast Track Authority. He will serve
until May 31, 2012, finishing the unexpired term of Genesee
County Treasurer Dan Kildee.
"Serving on the board of the Michigan
Land Bank will help me keep pace with land-
bank best practices throughout our state and
country:' said Meisner, a former state repre-
sentative from Ferndale. "I'm excited to bring
these valuable lessons home to Oakland
County for when we're ready to deploy this
powerful tool for fighting foreclosures and
property value declines."
Andy Meisner
The Michigan Land Bank Fast Track
Authority was created by Public Act 258 of 2003. Its intent
is to return blighted and foreclosed properties back to pro-
ductive and economically viable use. Meisner voted for the
land bank statute while serving in the state House. He has
proposed the creation of an Oakland County land bank to
help the county bolster its property values and sagging tax
revenues.
"We must do everything within our power as a county and
a state to protect our property values and fight the devastating
effects of foreclosures:' Meisner said.
The Michigan Land Bank sells tax-reverted and mortgage-
foreclosed properties. It operates an adjacent lot-transfer
program for connecting neighbors with foreclosed or irregular
parcels. The Garden for Growth initiative promotes entrepre-
neurship and urban agriculture.
— Robert Sklar, editor
ECO(f...s.Judaism
Shopping
• Buy one large size item rather than several small-size
items to avoid excessive packaging and shipping.
• Buy products labeled as FSC-certified from sustainable
forestry. Avoid virgin wood.
• Buy reused timber.
• Buy a reusable stainless-steel water bottle and forget all
those plastic water bottles.
• Instead of buying harsh cleaning chemicals, use house-
hold, nontoxic items such as vinegar, baking soda, borax
and lemon juice. There also are lines of nontoxic cleaners
for household cleaning, laundry and dishwashing.
• Buy rechargeable batteries.
• Choose reusable products over disposable products.
• Purchase products produced locally.
Jewish Thought On The Environment
"L'dor v'dor. from generation to generation. This is the
token of the covenant which I make between me and you
and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual
generations:'
— Genesis 9:12
Please contact Michigan Coalition on the Environment
& Jewish Life for global warming presentations: (248)
642-5393, ext. 7, or mi-coejl@jfmd.org .
Source: Michigan Coalition on the Environment E. Jewish Life
The Jewish News aspires to communicate news and opinion that's useful, engaging, enjoyable and unique. It strives to reflect the full range of diverse viewpoints while also
advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continuity. We desire to create and maintain a challenging, caring, enjoyable work environment that encourages creativity
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8
Octoberl 2009
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Meisner Boosts Land Banks
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