One of the best Garage Door installers, carpenters around. You will be missed. This is the article that appeared in Newsday this morning:

“Motorcyclist killed in North Bellmore”

Nassau police said a Bellmore man died after a motorist cut into the path of the motorcycle he was riding. Donald Croker, 55, was pronounced dead at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow shortly after the 6:30 p.m. Saturday accident in North Bellmore, police said. Detectives said Croker was traveling south on Newbridge Road when Vincent Greco, 51, of Levittown, who was also traveling south, tried to make a left turn from the right side of the road, cutting off Croker and causing the vehicles to collide. The North Bellmore Fire Department transported Croker to a hospital. Police said no charges have been filed in connection with the crash and that they have impounded both vehicles for safety checks. Neither Croker’s family nor Greco could be reached for comment.

Death Notice in today’s paper:

Donald R. Croker
CROKER - Donald R., 55, of Bellmore on December 29, 2007. Cherished son of Fred and Mildred Croker. Beloved father of Donald Jr., Kimberly Guerra (Javier) and Travis. Loving brother of Diane Nyholm (Bob), Sandy and the late Scott (Jodi). Dear uncle to several nieces and nephews. Visitation Wednesday and Thursday 2-4 and 7-9:30 PM at C.S. Bartholomew and Son, 302 Bedford Ave., Bellmore. Mass of Christian Burial Friday 10:15 AM at St. Barnabas RC Church, Bellmore. Interment at Pinelawn Memorial Park.

All comments found on Newsday.com

In retrospect, 2007 was, well just mediocre. I think there was a sort of balance when it came to good things vs. bad.

Good Things:

* Justin kept breaking records being on the “Principles List“, Graduated at the top of his Fifth Grade Class and became the Chess Champion! WOW!
* I’m learning more & more about Photography. I’m finally able to shoot in “Manual Mode” on my Digital SLR.
* Windows Home Server has become the defacto standard in Backing up my computers.
* Business has been steadily on the increase this year and looks to keep going throughout 2008 with the help of the best team of coworkers ever put together.
* I have been learning how to use Photoshop and discovered the brilliant piece of software called “Lightroom”
* I went to Disney for vacation with the Evensens!
* I decided to be an assistant Coach in 08′ for Justin’s little league team.

Bad Things:

* My Dad’s Health. In the beginning of 2007 he ended up in the hospital with pneumonia and it looks like he may end out the year back in the hospital but this time with Leukemia. Update: No hospital! The Dr. suggests outpatient Chemotherapy to treat the Leukemia. The bad news is Dad’s life expectancy has been limited to only 1 year.
* My sister also spent a few days in the hospital this past year.
* A friend’s mom passed away this year, not too long ago he lost his dad.
* The subprime mortgage crisis
* High Gas prices
* The ongoing war in Iraq
* Not enough Golfing
* The Yankees lose it AGAIN, coupled with the Mitchell report on steroids and HGH.
* I now own my first pair of reading glasses.

Things I will improve upon in 2008:

* I will continue to focus more on the needs of others.
* I will golf more
* I will continue my studies in Photography coupled with software training (Photoshop and Lightroom).

Teeth Whitening 101

1. Use the sponge tool, set to “Desaturate” at 15% or so, to gently get rid of unsightly yellowing.

2. After doing 1. You can sometimes use the Dodge tool with the range on “Highlights”, again at 9 to 15% to brighten the teeth.

This saves a costly trip to the dentist when you have to get your picture taken. However, care should be taken to keep your modifications subtle so that the subject’s mouth doesn’t look radioactive!