The pre-rebrand press release has more:

…
On January 1, 2012, Long Island University—one of the largest and most comprehensive private universities in the nation—will rebrand itself as LIU. A bold and greatly simplified logo will be introduced. This effort represents a “double rebranding” for the University, because simultaneous with the launch, the names of LIU’s six campuses will receive shorter, more telegraphic designations, uniting them under the new LIU brand, making them more modern and memorable in a Facebook and Twitter world. For example: the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University will be referred to as LIU Post.
…

LIU Post is just another thing to get used to in 2012.  Before long, it will roll off the tongue and the old habit of referring to “C.W. Post” will be broken.

Ken Navarro rang in 2012 by releasing his new solo acoustic guitar album, “The Test of Time,” on his website.  The street date is March 20, but if you can’t wait, and I sure couldn’t, you can buy through his website.  Since it arrived in the mail two days ago, I’ve listened intently to the album’s twelve tracks, classic songs that truly stand “The Test of Time.”

The tracks (original artist in italics):
1. Imagine (John Lennon) (5:11)
2. Little Martha (The Allman Brothers Band) (3:56)
3. Just Like A Woman/Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands (Bob Dylan) (6:09)
4. Message In A Bottle (The Police) (4:37)
5. Eight Days A Week/Ticket to Ride/Day Tripper (The Beatles) (4:37) – As I listened to this, I found myself impersonating the Beatles on select lyrics, namely on “Day Tripper”
6. The Days of Wine and Roses (Henry Mancini) (5:03)
7. Wichita Lineman (Glen Campbell) (4:26)
8. Letter From Home (Pat Metheny Group) (2:41)
9. Caroline No (The Beach Boys) (2:42)
10. Europa (Santana) (6:57)

I got my first taste of “Letter From Home” and “Europa” at last year’s Smooth Jazz for Scholars concert in Milford, Connecticut.

Bonus Tracks:
11. Bach BWV 998 (J.S. Bach) (3:28)
12. When You Wish Upon A Star (Cliff Edwards as Jiminy Cricket) (3:15) – This was originally heard in the Disney classic Pinocchio, but since 1987 (following Super Bowl XXI), it’s used in the post-Super Bowl (and other major sports championships) ad for Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts.  You’ve just finished listening to “The Test of Time.”  What are you going to do next?  I’m going to Disney World!

The description on the album’s webpage is apt: it’s a “Ken Navarro masterpiece” from start to finish.

This explains why Long Island Bus was using buses from the New York City Bus fleet in its last weeks.  The new buses–those added in the last few years where the seats in the back are elevated–were being redone.

Your Bus Service is Becoming NICE

Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) is the new name of the bus system in Nassau County. The system will no longer be called LI Bus. The new name commemorates the transition from the bus service being part of the regional MTA to being managed by Nassau County and its operating partner Veolia Transportation. Nassau County and Veolia Transportation are committed to providing a well-managed, high-quality bus service available to citizens.

Use Your MetroCard on NICE Bus!

We are delighted to announce that starting January 1st, 2012 and going foward, NICE Bus will continue to accept MetroCard ®. It will function in the same way it always has.

NICE buses accept coins and all types of MetroCard ®, the fare card issued by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

You can learn more about the MetroCard ® at the MTA website, http://www.mta.info/metrocard/, including the Reduced-Fare program for qualified riders, fare discounts available and where to buy MetroCard ®.

For information and fares about the Long Island Rail Road, visit http://www.mta.info/lirr/about/TicketInfo/. …

The routes and schedules haven’t changed much, if at all.  So, have a NICE day and many more days to come.

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 8,300 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 3 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report (link removed).

Why did I remove the link?  It drastically slowed down my browser (Firefox) and repeatedly crashed it.  I’m finishing this post in Internet Explorer.  Here’s the text I copied and pasted, saving in multiple drafts between crashes:

Crunchy numbers

More from Newsday (subscription needed):

… [T]he MTA ironed out details of a “memorandum of understanding” with Nassau that will allow the bus system to continue using the MetroCard fare payment system.  Under the agreement, the MTA will receive 1.75 cents per MetroCard swipe.  The agreement also will allow for free transfers between NICE bus and MTA subways or buses.  [Incoming NICE chief executive Michael Setzer] called the agreement “a big win for both MTA and NICE riders.”

Also, according to the NICE website, the routes and schedules will remain the same.

I’m ready to make NICE, starting next Sunday, New Year’s Day 2012.

I am pleased to announce that next year’s Smooth Jazz For Scholars show featuring Paul Taylor, Nick Colionne, Chieli Minucci, Nelson Rangell and Shilts will be held May 5, 2012 at the Parsons Complex [auditorium] located at 70 West River Street Milford, CT. 06460.  Tickets are now on sale for $40 each and the first 200 tickets sold will be reserved seating.  Tickets can be purchased by sending a check or money order payable to Smooth Jazz For Scholars Inc. to P.O. Box 3723 Milford, CT. 06460.

This will be my sixth year in attendance.

Here is how the 2011 show went.

Throughout the day, hundreds of birthday wishes came in on Facebook, through text messages, phone calls, and greeting cards with either gift cards or checks.

I didn’t have a party, but I went out to dinner with my parents and sister.  Back home, it wouldn’t be a birthday without my favorite: ice cream cake, this one from Carvel: