First-Time Author, 96, Gets Book Published
Proves It's Never Too Late

Brick, NJ. — Harry Bernstein began writing when he was 93 as a way to deal with his memories and the loneliness he felt after his wife of almost seven decades, Ruby, passed away from leukemia in 2002. He spent his nights alone thinking of her, as well as his rough childhood — with vicious anti-Semitism and an alcoholic father.

"I didn't know what the heck to do with myself... You know when you get into your 90s like I am, there's nowhere else to think except the past. There's no future to think about. There's very little present,'" says Bernstein, who gets around his New Jersey house slowly, with the aid of a cane, and is the sole survivor in his family.

"So you think of the past, particularly at nighttime when you're lying in bed. And it all came back. So I began to write, and I was occupied, and it was really the best therapy I could have had."

Bernstein first sent the finished manuscript to New York publishers but, having no luck, he sent it to the London office of Random House. There the book sat for about a year until it came across the desk of editor Kate Elton, who described it as "unputdownable."

The Invisible Wall has already been published in England and Sweden and will also be released in Germany, Italy, Finland and Norway this year. Due to the age at which he wrote the book and his challenging childhood, The Invisible Wall has led to inevitable comparisons with Frank McCourt's memoir, Angela's Ashes, a book about McCourt's Irish upbringing.

His second book, The Dream, is almost finished and centers on the family's move to the United States; Ballantine has already signed on as the American publisher.

Bernstein cranks out his pages on a typewriter in his bedroom, saying that the computer nearby is too complicated for anything more than checking his e-mail. And at his age, he allows himself a certain latitude in the writing process, meaning that instead of worrying about deadlines he just writes until he doesn't feel like writing anymore.

"I've been trained to finish something you start, don't leave anything undone," he says. "I just feel I'm not satisfied until I finish what I start. And I will not be satisfied until I start something new."

So, all you writers out there — you're not too old to get published. Keep it going!

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Yellow Submarine Seeks To Understand The Sea

Far out in the Atlantic, a little yellow submarine is exploring the ocean beneath the waves.

Unlike the Beatles song, no one is living in the yellow submarine. It travels all by itself and collects very helpful scientific data.

Without an engine or crew, the "undersea glider" sucks water in to dive down, and then pushes it out again to rise up. It started its mission in New Jersey and is heading all the way to Spain, spending its time between 15 feet and 300 feet deep.

The oceans are still largely unknown, and this super sub carries new information-gathering instruments to increase understanding of life forms and changes in the sea.

Such information can help improve management of coastal areas — regions with the largest fish stocks — which also feel the impact of runoff and other pollution from rapidly rising human populations along the coasts. In addition, the North Atlantic plays a very important role in the dynamics of climate change.

The underwater info is shared with the Navy and other agencies and is expected to help answer some major questions in the next few years.

"It can be done totally remotely," explains Conrad Lautenbacher, head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "It can be controlled from a Rec Room in Ohio if necessary."

Rutgers marine gliders: http://rucool.marine.rutgers.edu/atlantic.

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Devotion to the Ocean

A wonderful organization called Oceana seeks to "make our oceans as rich, healthy and abundant as they were in our grandparents' youth."

They recently held a fundraiser at Christies in New York. Those in attendance donated generously, made bids in a silent auction, and got an exclusive sneak preview of Christie's annual Ocena Liner sale.

The most talked about items were a never before seen life preserver from the Titanic, and a type-written high school newspaper story by a young lady who escaped the ship.

Everyone there wanted to restore the health of the deep blue ocean, vast and wide. Actor and Board member Sam Waterston, who grew up on the seashore, spoke to the devoted crowd. "We can stop doing the stupid things and do some obviously sensible ones... like a little less fishing," he said.

Oceana's Chief Scientist Mike Hirshfield agreed that "we can fix it." He'd like the high seas to get as much attention as the land does, suggesting "all oceans all the time."

Oceana is the largest international organization focused solely on protecting the world's oceans. To discover their amazing successes, go to http://www.oceana.org/north-america/who-we-are/successes/.

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Pure Water Bottle Doesn't Clog Landfills

This new product is a bottle with a built in filtration system, so you can drink on the go and re-use it. Plus, it's made of good material that won't harm the earth. You don't have to worry about adding to the plastic nightmare that's choking the planet.

Let's hope this is the wave of the future because every year more than 26 billion bottles are thrown away and 16.5 billion gallons of water are wasted to provide Americans with "convenient" access to water.

For more information on this "Wellness H20 Bottle," go to endbottledwater.com.

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Yoga Without Borders

TIJUANA, Mexico. A border "Meetup Group" organized a yoga class on both sides of the fence that divides U. S. and Mexico. The participants of this international group stretched, meditated, and then exchanged hugs throught the fence bars.

The organization promotes cross-border understanding by staging social events on the divided beach. Dan Watman, the coordinator, said they aim to "make friend across cultural, political, societal, even emotional barries."

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