Amazing Portraits by Fred P.

I have known Fred since 1976. He is a dear friend and a phenomenal photographer. Fred P. took many of my portraits which appear in my blogs. He is a true reminder of those great days of long ago when New York was a carefree place filled with laughter and fun times. We share many memories and it is all of those memories that will bind me to Fred forever. If you would like him to photograph you, please send me an E-mail for his contact information.

Fred took these photos of me in 1976.

A Blast from the Past: Ruby Lazarus, RIP

my father mentions Ruby during WW II

Ruby Lazarus was my father's first cousin.

Here is a photo of him as he was waiting to testify during the Grand Jury gambling investigation:

The following is from In Re Lazarus, 276 F. Supp. 434 (C.D. Cal. 1967)

"`Q Do you know Tony Salerno?

Ruby Lazarus: "`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q Do you know Elliot Paul Price?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q Do you know Jerry Zarowitz?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q Why did you and Salerno leave Miami, Florida in October 1965?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q Why did you and Salerno travel to Palm Springs, California in October 1965?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q Did you and Tony Salerno share a room at the Canyon Club Inn in Palm Springs, California?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q In October 1965 you were present at meetings at 893 Camino del Sur, Palm Springs, California, with Alo, Salerno, Price and Zarowitz?

"`A I decline to answer that question.' "I am sorry. That question was:

"`In October 1965 were you present at meetings at 893 Camino del Sur, Palm Springs, California, with Alo, Salerno, Price and Zarowitz?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q Were telephones at 893 Camino del Sur, Palm Springs, California, used to transact gambling business and to place wagers?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q Did you use the phones there to lay off wagers?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q Did Tony Salerno use the phones there to conduct gambling business?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q Did Zarowitz use the phones there to call Las Vegas to transmit wagering information?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q Did Price use the phones there to call Massachusetts to conduct gambling operations?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q Did Alo use the phone in connection with the gambling or other activities of the criminal syndicate known as La Cosa Nostra or the Mafia?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q What was the purpose of the meeting in October 1965 at Palm Springs, California?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q Was there discussion at that meeting concerning the division of points in the ownership of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q Was there any discussion at that meeting concerning the conduct of a gambling layoff operation in the Eastern United States?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q Was there a dispute at that meeting between you and Zarowitz?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q Was there a dispute at that meeting between you and Price?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q What was the subject matter of the disputes?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q In October 1965 for what purpose was a telephone call placed from Palm Springs, California to Robert Lynn Martin in Las Vegas, Nevada?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q In October 1965 for what purpose was a telephone call placed from Palm Springs, California to the Prokos Brothers in Miami, Florida?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q In October 1965 for what purpose was a telephone call placed from Palm Springs, California to Basil Milardi and Charles Cardinali in Union City, New Jersey?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q In October 1965 for what purpose was a telephone call placed from Palm Springs, California to Herbert Kaufman in Baltimore, Maryland?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q In October 1965 for what purpose was a telephone call placed from Palm Springs, California to Harry Chorodowsky, also known as Harry Clayton, in Brighton, Massachusetts?

"`A I decline to answer that question.

"`Q Mr. Lazarus, your persistence in declining to answer these questions leaves this Grand Jury with no choice but to return once more to the court to seek the assistance of the court in this matter.

"`I would ask that the foreman direct Mr. Lazarus that he is excused but is to remain nearby to await further court proceedings.

"`THE FOREMAN: You are so ordered.'"

Canyon Club Inn today:

more added:

Ruby is in here:

The last time I saw Ruby was at my grandfather Max's funeral... and then Ruby died shortly after that.

Some side angles: Here is my grandmother Bessie Lazarus Levine. Ruby was her brother. And here is her Max Levine's citizenship paper. He is my grandfather. 

Nathan Wasserberger, (1928 - 2012)

The artist Nathan Wasserberger was born on June 24, 1928 in Chrzanow, Poland, and he died on April 23, 2012, in New York City.

This is Chrzanow, Poland:

 Nathan Wasserberger's obituary

SET IN STONE revisited

There is an old cemetery:
The place where the dead go. 
One grave has nice fresh pink flowers
To whisper that somebody is missed. 

Not many graves, but very old stones
Broken and chipped stones set in tired dirt 
Seen through windows of houses that 
Line that still street.

Some houses set way back
As if to separate the living 
From the dead. 

And then, I saw a children's swing set,
And the sun trying to peek through
To perhaps lift a sense of deep gloom.


 ©  2015 Marjorie Levine

MELANCHOLY revisted

Every week for years

I felt this way... or that way.

On one cold January melancholy day,
Under threatening skies, I wore my balaclava.

And in the distance, I imagined or imagined not
That I heard Chopin's Nocturne Op. 55 No. 1.

© 2015 Marjorie Levine