Sunday, December 18, 2011

Italian Episcopalians

  As a native Staten Islander born the year after the Verrazano Bridge was opened, I grew up hearing a lot about how the Brooklyn Italians were "flooding" and "ruining" the borough.  Whatever.  I suspect that was mostly said by the people who had no idea of the deep Italian roots already on Staten Island long before the Verrazano was built.  Eh, what can you do about people?  They're going to say what they're going to say.
   I'm glad this site started as the "church project" because the research I've done in that direction has been invaluable.  More than anything else it's given me a better understanding and insight into the development of the Island and the shifts in its population, native born and immigrant, over the past centuries.
   One of the most interesting things I've discovered are two churches formed as Italian protestant congregations.  One, that I don't have much information or pictures of, was the Italian Pentecostal church.  All I know is that it started on Pike Street in Tompkinsville in 1923 and later moved to Richmond Road.  Today it's the Christian Pentecostal Church.

 
Jewett Avenue and New Street  - 1929

   The other, which I have less information about, but some nice pictures of, is the Holy Redeemer Protestant Episcopal Church (Italian).  From it's name I assume it was a sort of mission outreach from Staten Island's old line (and Wasp) Episcopal churches to the Italian born immigrants.  I wonder what the thoughts that went into the decision to to that were.
  Was it thought that converting the Italians to mainline Protestantism would make the immigrants better citizens?  Less Italian and therefore more American?
   According to "A Brief History of the Episcopal Church" by David Lynn Holmes, Episcopalian outeach to Italians was possible because of Italian, particularly male, dissatisfaction with the Roman Catholic Church in America.  They were angry that the Church had opposed Italian unification in 1870 and they were frustrated by Irish domination of the Church in America.  Even many of the Episcopal priests were ex-Catholic priests.
   I can't imagine the Episcopal Church of today, even if it was still vibrant and relevant, doing the same sort of outreach/conversion to the Hispanic immigrant population in the neighborhood.  I think they'd think the whole undertaking reeked of racism and cultural superiority.
   How long were there enough converts to keep a congregation going?  Did they just merge into the existing English language congregations as they assimilated into America?  Holmes' book says that's what happened with earlier German converts to the denomination.  Like a history of Staten Island's Methodist congregations, I'd love one of the Episcopal churches.  While no one ever really answers, I'm asking for any information anyone's got.


   I love the swing set by the side entrance.  Today the church grounds are an auto repair lot.  That stretch of Jewett between Richmond Terrace and Castleton Avenue is one of the more scuzzy looking parts of Port Richmond.
 Same location, a cold December morning - 2011

Top 10 Greatest and Most Popular Seven Footers in NBA History


NBA is the most prestigious professional basketball association in the world. It is every basketball player’s dream to play in the NBA. In basketball, height is might. Taller players have great advantage that is why tall players in basketball are among the most popular.

Here are the 10 greatest NBA players with a height of 7 feet or more. Most of them played the “center” position. These players are considered NBA’s greatest centers.

1.) Kareem Abdul Jabbar
English: Los Angeles Lakers Kareem Abdul-Jabba...Image via Wikipedia


Name: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr.)
Born: April 16, 1947
Team: Milwaukee Bucks, LA Lakers
Height: 7’ 2”

Major awards/achievements

  • 6 NBA Champion
  • 6x NBA Most Valuable Player
  • 19 NBA All Star
  • 2x NBA Finals MVP
  • 1970 NBA Rookie of the Year
  • Career points: 38,387
  • Career rebounds: 17,440
  • Career blocks: 3,189
  • Pro career: 1969 – 1989
  • One of the “50 Greatest Players in NBA History”
  • He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer, with 38,387 points.
  • Abdul-Jabbar was the NBA's all-time leader in points scored, games played, minutes played, field goals made, field goal attempts, blocked shots, defensive rebounds, and personal fouls.

2.) Wilt Chamberlain


Name: Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain 
Born: August 21, 1936
Died: October 12, 1999
Team: Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, LA Lakers
Height: 7’1”

Major awards/achievements

  • 2x NBA Champion
  • 4x NBA Most Valuable Player
  • 1972 NBA Finals MVP
  • 1960 NBA Rookie of the Year
  • 1960 NBA All Star MVP
  • 13x NBA All Star
  • Career points: 31,419
  • Career rebounds: 23,934
  • Career assists: 4,643
  • Pro career: 1959 – 1973
  • One of the “50 Greatest Players in NBA History”
  • He is one of the greatest and most dominant players in NBA history

3.) Shaquille O’Neal


Name: Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal
Born: March 6, 1972
Nicknamed: "Shaq"
Team: Orlando Magic, LA Lakers, Miami Heats, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics
Height: 7’ 1” in

Major awards/achievements

  • 4 NBA Champion
  • 3x NBA Finals MVP
  • 2000 NBA Most Valuable Player
  • 1993 Rookie of the Year
  • 3x NBA All Star Game MVP
  • 15 Time NBA All Star
  • Career points: 28,596
  • Career rebounds: 13,099
  • Career blocks: 2,732
  • Pro career: 1992 - 2011
  • One of the “50 Greatest Players in NBA History”
  • O’Neal was one of the heaviest players ever to play in the NBA (147 kg).

4.) Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon


Name: Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon 
Born January 21, 1963
Birthplace: Nigeria
Team: Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors
Height: 7’0” (He admitted though that he's just 6'10")

Major awards/achievements

  • 2 NBA Champion
  • 1994 Most Valuable Player
  • 2x NBA Finals MVP
  • 12x NBA All Star
  • Career points: 26,946
  • Career rebounds: 13,747
  • Career blocks: 3,830
  • Pro career: 1984 – 2002
  • One of the “50 Greatest Players in NBA History”
  • Olajuwon is considered one of the greatest centers ever to play the game

5.) Patrick Ewing


Name: Patrick Aloysius Ewing Sr. 
Born August 5, 1962
Birthplace: Jamaica
Team: New York Knicks, Seattle Supersonics and Orlando Magic
Height: 7’ 0”

Major awards/achievements

  • 1986 NBA Rookie of the Year
  • 11x NBA All Star
  • Career points: 24,815
  • Career rebounds: 11,617
  • Career blocks: 2,894
  • Pro career: 1985 – 2002
  • One of the “50 Greatest Players in NBA History”
  • Ewing was named as the 16th greatest college player of all time by ESPN. 

6.) Robert Parish


Name: Robert Lee Parish 
Born August 30, 1953
Team: Golden State Warriors/Boston Celtics/Charlotte Hornets/Chicago Bulls
Nickname: The Chief
Height: 7’0”

Major awards/achievements

  • 4x NBA Champion
  • 9x NBA All Star
  • Career points: 23,334
  • Career rebounds: 14,715
  • Career blocks: 2,361
  • Pro career: 1976–1997
  • One of the “50 Greatest Players in NBA History”
  • Robert Parish was known for his strong defense and jump shooting.

7.) David Robinson


Name: David Maurice Robinson
Born: August 6, 1965
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Nicknames: The Admiral, The Twin Towers (with Tim Duncan)
Induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: September 11, 2009.
Height: 7’1”

Major awards/achievements

  • 1990 NBA Rookie of the Year
  • 2x NBA Champion
  • 1995 NBA Most Valuable Player
  • 10x NBA All Star
  • Career points: 20,790
  • Career rebounds: 10,497
  • Career blocks: 2,954
  • Pro Career: 1989 – 2003
  • One of the “50 Greatest Players in NBA History”
  • David Robinson is widely considered to be one of the greatest centers in NBA history.

8.) Dirk Nowitzki


Name: Dirk Werner Nowitzki 
Born: June 19, 1978
Birthplace: Germany
Team: Dallas Mavericks
Height: 7’ 0”

Major awards/achievements

  • 1 NBA Champion
  • 2011 NBA Finals MVP
  • 2007 NBA Most Valuable Player
  • 10x NBA All Star
  • 2002 FIBA World Championship MVP
  • Pro career: 1998 – present
  • He is one of the most prolific NBA players.

9.) Pau Gasol


Name: Pau Gasol Sáez
Born: July 6, 1980
Birthplace: Spain
Team: Memphis Grizzlies, LA Lakers
Height: 7'0"

Major awards/achievements

  • 2x NBA Champion
  • 2002 NBA Rookie of the Year
  • 4x NBA All Star
  • 2006 FIBA World Championship MVP
  • Pro career: 2001 – present
  • He currently holds the Memphis Grizzlies franchise records for career games played, minutes played, field goals made and attempted, free throws made and attempted, offensive, defensive, and total rebounds, blocked shots, turnovers, and points.

10.) Yao Ming


Name: Yao Ming 
Born: September 12, 1980
Birthplace: China
Team: Houston Rockets
Height: 7' 6"

Major awards/achievements

  • 8x NBA All Star
  • 3x FIBA Asian Championship MVP
  • Career points: 9,247
  • Career assists: 769
  • Career rebounds: 4,494
  • Pro career: 2002 – 2011
  • He was the tallest in the NBA at 7’ 6” as of 2010-2011 NBA Season

See also



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Top 10 Greatest and Most Popular Seven Footers in NBA History


NBA is the most prestigious professional basketball association in the world. It is every basketball player’s dream to play in the NBA. In basketball, height is might. Taller players have great advantage that is why tall players in basketball are among the most popular.

Here are the 10 greatest NBA players with a height of 7 feet or more. Most of them played the “center” position. These players are considered NBA’s greatest centers.

1.) Kareem Abdul Jabbar
English: Los Angeles Lakers Kareem Abdul-Jabba...Image via Wikipedia


Name: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr.)
Born: April 16, 1947
Team: Milwaukee Bucks, LA Lakers
Height: 7’ 2”

Major awards/achievements

  • 6 NBA Champion
  • 6x NBA Most Valuable Player
  • 19 NBA All Star
  • 2x NBA Finals MVP
  • 1970 NBA Rookie of the Year
  • Career points: 38,387
  • Career rebounds: 17,440
  • Career blocks: 3,189
  • Pro career: 1969 – 1989
  • One of the “50 Greatest Players in NBA History”
  • He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer, with 38,387 points.
  • Abdul-Jabbar was the NBA's all-time leader in points scored, games played, minutes played, field goals made, field goal attempts, blocked shots, defensive rebounds, and personal fouls.

2.) Wilt Chamberlain


Name: Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain 
Born: August 21, 1936
Died: October 12, 1999
Team: Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, LA Lakers
Height: 7’1”

Major awards/achievements

  • 2x NBA Champion
  • 4x NBA Most Valuable Player
  • 1972 NBA Finals MVP
  • 1960 NBA Rookie of the Year
  • 1960 NBA All Star MVP
  • 13x NBA All Star
  • Career points: 31,419
  • Career rebounds: 23,934
  • Career assists: 4,643
  • Pro career: 1959 – 1973
  • One of the “50 Greatest Players in NBA History”
  • He is one of the greatest and most dominant players in NBA history

3.) Shaquille O’Neal


Name: Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal
Born: March 6, 1972
Nicknamed: "Shaq"
Team: Orlando Magic, LA Lakers, Miami Heats, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics
Height: 7’ 1” in

Major awards/achievements

  • 4 NBA Champion
  • 3x NBA Finals MVP
  • 2000 NBA Most Valuable Player
  • 1993 Rookie of the Year
  • 3x NBA All Star Game MVP
  • 15 Time NBA All Star
  • Career points: 28,596
  • Career rebounds: 13,099
  • Career blocks: 2,732
  • Pro career: 1992 - 2011
  • One of the “50 Greatest Players in NBA History”
  • O’Neal was one of the heaviest players ever to play in the NBA (147 kg).

4.) Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon


Name: Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon 
Born January 21, 1963
Birthplace: Nigeria
Team: Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors
Height: 7’0” (He admitted though that he's just 6'10")

Major awards/achievements

  • 2 NBA Champion
  • 1994 Most Valuable Player
  • 2x NBA Finals MVP
  • 12x NBA All Star
  • Career points: 26,946
  • Career rebounds: 13,747
  • Career blocks: 3,830
  • Pro career: 1984 – 2002
  • One of the “50 Greatest Players in NBA History”
  • Olajuwon is considered one of the greatest centers ever to play the game

5.) Patrick Ewing


Name: Patrick Aloysius Ewing Sr. 
Born August 5, 1962
Birthplace: Jamaica
Team: New York Knicks, Seattle Supersonics and Orlando Magic
Height: 7’ 0”

Major awards/achievements

  • 1986 NBA Rookie of the Year
  • 11x NBA All Star
  • Career points: 24,815
  • Career rebounds: 11,617
  • Career blocks: 2,894
  • Pro career: 1985 – 2002
  • One of the “50 Greatest Players in NBA History”
  • Ewing was named as the 16th greatest college player of all time by ESPN. 

6.) Robert Parish


Name: Robert Lee Parish 
Born August 30, 1953
Team: Golden State Warriors/Boston Celtics/Charlotte Hornets/Chicago Bulls
Nickname: The Chief
Height: 7’0”

Major awards/achievements

  • 4x NBA Champion
  • 9x NBA All Star
  • Career points: 23,334
  • Career rebounds: 14,715
  • Career blocks: 2,361
  • Pro career: 1976–1997
  • One of the “50 Greatest Players in NBA History”
  • Robert Parish was known for his strong defense and jump shooting.

7.) David Robinson


Name: David Maurice Robinson
Born: August 6, 1965
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Nicknames: The Admiral, The Twin Towers (with Tim Duncan)
Induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: September 11, 2009.
Height: 7’1”

Major awards/achievements

  • 1990 NBA Rookie of the Year
  • 2x NBA Champion
  • 1995 NBA Most Valuable Player
  • 10x NBA All Star
  • Career points: 20,790
  • Career rebounds: 10,497
  • Career blocks: 2,954
  • Pro Career: 1989 – 2003
  • One of the “50 Greatest Players in NBA History”
  • David Robinson is widely considered to be one of the greatest centers in NBA history.

8.) Dirk Nowitzki


Name: Dirk Werner Nowitzki 
Born: June 19, 1978
Birthplace: Germany
Team: Dallas Mavericks
Height: 7’ 0”

Major awards/achievements

  • 1 NBA Champion
  • 2011 NBA Finals MVP
  • 2007 NBA Most Valuable Player
  • 10x NBA All Star
  • 2002 FIBA World Championship MVP
  • Pro career: 1998 – present
  • He is one of the most prolific NBA players.

9.) Pau Gasol


Name: Pau Gasol Sáez
Born: July 6, 1980
Birthplace: Spain
Team: Memphis Grizzlies, LA Lakers
Height: 7'0"

Major awards/achievements

  • 2x NBA Champion
  • 2002 NBA Rookie of the Year
  • 4x NBA All Star
  • 2006 FIBA World Championship MVP
  • Pro career: 2001 – present
  • He currently holds the Memphis Grizzlies franchise records for career games played, minutes played, field goals made and attempted, free throws made and attempted, offensive, defensive, and total rebounds, blocked shots, turnovers, and points.

10.) Yao Ming


Name: Yao Ming 
Born: September 12, 1980
Birthplace: China
Team: Houston Rockets
Height: 7' 6"

Major awards/achievements

  • 8x NBA All Star
  • 3x FIBA Asian Championship MVP
  • Career points: 9,247
  • Career assists: 769
  • Career rebounds: 4,494
  • Pro career: 2002 – 2011
  • He was the tallest in the NBA at 7’ 6” as of 2010-2011 NBA Season

See also



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Saturday, December 17, 2011

Effective Bathroom Layouts Made Easy



Effective Bathroom Layouts Made Easy

Effective Bathroom Layouts Made Easybathroomlayouts.org ...Wondering how to start a bathroom remodel? Your first step should be considering different bathroom layouts.

The Most Intricate and Complex Interchanges/Skyways in the World

With the technological progress the Earth had gone through in the past decades, the production of vehicles seem unstoppable. Thousands of thousands of vehicles are being produced each and every year. In this connection, governments are obliged to build and construct wider roads, highways, bridges, viaducts and skyways/interchanges.

Here are some of the most beautifully planned and designed interchanges/skyways in the world.

High Five Interchange


The Central Expressway and I-635 Interchange are commonly known as the High Five Interchange. It is located in the city of Dallas, the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States.

Attiki Odos


Greece, a country in Europe is one of the most progressive countries in the world. The above photo shows the Attiki Odos, one of the most beautifully designed skyways/freeways in the world.

I-10 and I-45 Interchange

Another beautifully designed interchange in the United States is the I-10 and I-45 Interchange. It is located in Houston, Texas and is the major east-west Interstate Highway in the Southern United States.

Atlanta Downtown Connector


The Atlanta Downtown Connector is a beautifully planned and designed skyway in Atlanta City, one of the largest and most progressive cities in the US. The city hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics. The skyway offers an awesome view especially at night.

Interstate 5 and Interstate 90


The above photo is the interchange between Interstate 5 and Interstate 90 in south Seattle. It is one of the most intricate and complex skyways in the world. Interstate 5 in Washington or I-5 is a 445.18 km highway in the U.S. state of Washington that extends from its border with Oregon to its border with Canada.

Faizabad Interchange


The Faizabad Interchange is a beautiful skyway and is the main gateway between the twin Pakistani cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. It was the first modern highway interchange of Pakistan made during late 1990s to better solve the traffic problem on Murree Road & Islamabad Highway.

Kennedy Interchange


One of the most complex and uniquely-designed skyways is the Kennedy Interchange. It is unofficially, though universally, referred to as Spaghetti Junction. This intersection of Interstate 64, 65 and 71 is located at the northeastern edge of downtown Louisville, in Kentucky, USA.

CA Freeway Interchange 280 and 87


The CA Freeway Interchange 280 and 87 is located in the beautiful city of San Jose in California, USA.

See also



Enhanced by Zemanta

The Most Intricate and Complex Interchanges/Skyways in the World

With the technological progress the Earth had gone through in the past decades, the production of vehicles seem unstoppable. Thousands of thousands of vehicles are being produced each and every year. In this connection, governments are obliged to build and construct wider roads, highways, bridges, viaducts and skyways/interchanges.

Here are some of the most beautifully planned and designed interchanges/skyways in the world.

High Five Interchange


The Central Expressway and I-635 Interchange are commonly known as the High Five Interchange. It is located in the city of Dallas, the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States.

Attiki Odos


Greece, a country in Europe is one of the most progressive countries in the world. The above photo shows the Attiki Odos, one of the most beautifully designed skyways/freeways in the world.

I-10 and I-45 Interchange

Another beautifully designed interchange in the United States is the I-10 and I-45 Interchange. It is located in Houston, Texas and is the major east-west Interstate Highway in the Southern United States.

Atlanta Downtown Connector


The Atlanta Downtown Connector is a beautifully planned and designed skyway in Atlanta City, one of the largest and most progressive cities in the US. The city hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics. The skyway offers an awesome view especially at night.

Interstate 5 and Interstate 90


The above photo is the interchange between Interstate 5 and Interstate 90 in south Seattle. It is one of the most intricate and complex skyways in the world. Interstate 5 in Washington or I-5 is a 445.18 km highway in the U.S. state of Washington that extends from its border with Oregon to its border with Canada.

Faizabad Interchange


The Faizabad Interchange is a beautiful skyway and is the main gateway between the twin Pakistani cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. It was the first modern highway interchange of Pakistan made during late 1990s to better solve the traffic problem on Murree Road & Islamabad Highway.

Kennedy Interchange


One of the most complex and uniquely-designed skyways is the Kennedy Interchange. It is unofficially, though universally, referred to as Spaghetti Junction. This intersection of Interstate 64, 65 and 71 is located at the northeastern edge of downtown Louisville, in Kentucky, USA.

CA Freeway Interchange 280 and 87


The CA Freeway Interchange 280 and 87 is located in the beautiful city of San Jose in California, USA.

See also



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