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MAY 2022 941.312.0665 | 27TH STATE MEDIA, LLC
SAFETY & SECURITY REMINDERS
LANDINGS HAPPENINGS
Latest Schedule of Events & Activities
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LANDINGS ARTIST
Alice Howard, a flyer
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Now that we are in the high season, the Safety & Security Committee believes a few safety reminders are in order. Its members want the season to be accident-free and safe for both pedestrians and drivers. 1. As you are all aware by now, during the last year we have been installing new gate entry stickers on all resident vehicles. To ensure that the sticker on your vehicle works correctly, please keep these simple directions in mind: The sensor that opens the gates is in the white square box before the entry lane, not on the gate itself. If you approach the gate too fast and go by the sensor before it can read the sticker, the gate will not open. It is important to slow down to under 15 mph as you approach the gate to give the sensor time to react. Once the sensor reads the sticker, a blue light will illuminate in the center of the white box and the gate will open. You then have 15 to 20 seconds to go through before the gate arm comes back down. Keeping slightly to the left in the lane also will help the sensor to pick up the signal. Do not tailgate the vehicle in front of you as it goes through the gate. 2. The north gate closings hours are
11 p.m. to 6 a.m. The south gate closing hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. 3. The speed limits in The Landings are 15 and 20 mph, where posted. We have no sidewalks in The Landings, so please watch your speed, especially when pedestrians and bike riders are present. 4. Pedestrians should always pay attention to oncoming traffic. Since we were small children, we were all taught to walk on the road facing traffic so you could see oncoming vehicles. If you are walking with friends, remember to walk single file when vehicles approach. Because we do not have sidewalks, please be aware in areas where visibility is limited and travel lanes are narrow. 5. Bike riders should ride in the direction of traffic and please pay attention for vehicles approaching you from behind. 6. Night walkers should wear lightcolored clothing when walking from dusk to dawn. A flashlight and reflective clothing will also help drivers see you in the dark. 7. Dog walkers should always have their dogs under control, especially at night. Some people have collar lights Continued on page 18
Big Turnout at Newcomers’ Event
Committee members responsible for organizing a very successful newcomer event. Photo by Fern Vaughn. Story & more photos on page 12-13.
“STEPPIN’ OUT WITH MY BABY” CONTEST Continued on page 14
Dreaming Big Took This Man to Great Heights
KID’S CORNER
By Emma Shaughnessy
Cameron Cuff, 8
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OUR WILD NEIGHBORS
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THE PHOTO SHOP
Women Warriors: Past, Present, Future. Photos by Anne Parsons
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When people ask children what they want to be when they grow up, their responses are usually far-fetched. They might reply “a princess,” “a robot,” or “an astronaut.” Oftentimes, adults laugh at their responses because their dream jobs seem unlikely to come to fruition. However, one Landings resident, Dr. Bob Rosen, showed that childhood dreams can come true through his career as a rocket scientist. Growing up in New York City during World War II, Bob was fascinated by airplanes. An advanced technology considered “big news” at the time, Bob often made model airplanes and dreamed of flying on his own. To make his dreams a reality, Bob studied mechanical engineering at the University of Miami as an undergraduate student. He went on to Northwestern University for graduate school to continue his engineering studies. After graduating, Bob worked as an army officer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratories (JPL) in Pasadena, California. After that, he decided to continue his engineering studies at Caltech then received his PhD in engineering at the University of Southern California. Bob went on to work at McDonnell Douglas, then Rocketdyne. While at Rocketdyne, Bob was asked to investigate the cause of test-stand space shuttle main engine failures when they were trying to increase engine power to enable heavier payloads. Bob was able to suggest a redesign, which attracted the attention of the NASA deputy administrator and landed him a job as a NASA senior executive. While at NASA, Bob held several positions, but his career culminated as the associate administrator in aeronautics and space technology. His many achievements during his career were recognized by his award of NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal for leading the aeronautics and space technology organization. Bob left NASA in 2002 after 20 years and has been consulting for it ever since, mostly in aeronautics. Bob currently resides in The Landings with his wife and partner of 57 years,
Brooklyn. The couple enjoys the warm weather, especially in the winters, and their friendly social interactions with other residents. Bob mentioned that he would love to engage in a discussion about airplanes and space with anyone who shares an interest. Bob and Brooklyn have two sons, David and Tony. In his free time, Bob enjoys playing tennis and enjoying the gulf. He remains very interested in mathematics and physics and is currently working his way through a textbook on probability theory. If anyone in The Landings understands it, he says he would love a tutor! In March, Bob gave a free college talk about what NASA has done for the aviation industry and what it plans to do in the future. He wants people who attended his talk to remember that NASA has made tremendous advancements in aeronautics which impacted people’s lives in a positive way, such as its work to make commercial flights smoother, safer, shorter, and more fuel efficient. However, Bob joked that his recent flight from Washington, D.C to Sarasota took nearly six hours because, unfortunately, NASA cannot control the weather. Looking back, Bob is fortunate for his extremely rewarding, but challenging, career at NASA. Over the years, he guided the development of new technologies, such as advanced computing, high-speed flight, air traffic control, and many space technologies. He enjoyed working with incredibly intelligent people on a daily basis and also had the opportunity to serve as a mentor to other employees. Bob notes that his career allowed him to do things “that most people can only dream of.” He got to fly upside down in an F18 plane, go inside the White House, and be in the same room as the President and Vice President. Bob feels incredibly lucky for his experiences during his career and proves that even the most seemingly unrealistic dreams can come true.
Bob and Brooklyn at his 80th birthday party.
Bob and Brooklyn at her 80th birthday party with son, David, and his wife, Anne.
Bob boating off the Na Pali coast of Kauai.