So I'm cruisin' up 231 and I see this little car that reminds me of my old Matchbox and Corgi car collection and yet at the same time screams Clown Car! It was not a Mini Cooper or that wheelchair with doors they call a Smart car. This was something I had never seen before and inside were a couple of rockin retirees with big smiles on there faces as I just stared in wonder at their cool little vehicle. On the back window was an unassuming sticker that said "Old Guys Rule". As our trip progressed it became apparent we were both heading into Huntington and after exchanging glances and chit chat for a few miles I asked him to pull over and there on the side of the road in Greenlawn I met Jak and Linda and was introduced to the "Crosley" line of vehicles as well as a little history lesson. After a short time we agreed to meet at their house where I learned from Jak and corroborated the following information at the Crosley Museum website.

While Powel Crosley, Jr. never made more than $50 a week before he was 30, by age 33 he had amassed a fortune selling auto parts through the then-unheard-of medium of direct-mail. His son wanted a wireless radio so he perfected and manufactured the first low-priced crystal set, the hugely successful "Harko", opening that entertainment medium to the masses. He ventured into radio broadcasting to sell more radios and at 500,000 watts had the most powerful station in the world. His radio station, The Nations Station, WLW, was the proving ground for the early careers of many who went on to global stardom. His television station became the first NBC affiliate and Crosley's own Cincinnati Reds baseball team became the first sports program ever broadcast in color. In his lifetime, Powel Crosley, Jr. used his fortune and his enterprise to assist many others up the ladder of success. His many charitable contributions provided a teaching environment for tens of thousands of young men and women. By the end of his life, he had invented, developed, manufactured or produced:

The first compact economy car (1939)
Electric wagon (1900)
First auto radio (1930)
Shelvador refrigerator
500,000 watt radio station (1934)
Night baseball (1935)
Soap Operas (1934)
Facsimile machine (1940)
First 4-wheel disc brakes (1939)
35mm camera
Airplanes (4 different)
First radio broadcast from an airplane (1930)
Phonographs, scalp massagers, canoes, furniture, baby carriages, washing machines, stoves and bed-cooling systems.
Wow, like how have I never heard of this guy!

Now as cool as the Crosley story is, it is Jak and Linda whose laid back eccentric hippie surfer attitude that made me want to write this piece. Jak had us laughing almost immediately after I said is this your wife to which he replied "Yes, We used to be a phamily before the phuckin kids grew up" and yes everything with an "F" gets replaced by a "PH" after the phamily name of Phillips. Ya phollow? Both Jak and Linda are phormer teachers from the West and North Babylon districts back in the day. You couldn't meet two more interesting sweet people and man are they phunny. In 1966 Jak met Linda in a bar on 72st. in NYC. He was in the Merchant Marines on leave but they hit it off and she became his NY girl Jak says with a giggle. Jak served in the Merchant Marines from '61 till '69 when a terrible accident nearly took his life. After awaking from a coma with a semi paralyzed arm Linda stayed by his side and has been there since. Married in 1970 they have worked, traveled and lived a full life and show no signs of slowing down in this 34 year relationship. With a world of knowledge and amazing spirits Jak and Linda shared stories and spun tales for a couple hours, way more than I have room for in this column. Jak's love affair with Crosley automobiles started in the gas crunch of the seventies and as you can tell from the pictures he's gathered quite a phew. Jak Phillips as a regular guy and an eccentric phellow as well. Hell I thought I was having an original thought when I offered to interview him but he's already been in Newsday and on CNN. I knew there was something about this guy lol.

I will leave you with this story from Jak. When Linda was in labour with their son, Jak sat with his 2 1/2 year old daughter Phaeryn. To keep her amused he let her paint his toe nails. She painted one and then lost interest. That memory will never phade because he still keeps that toe nail painted...Orange! Jak is one part hippie one part clown two parts phamily guy and totally cool. So if you ever happen upon one of these little clown cars Crosley made and a silver maned gent steps out with half round half square sunglasses and an orange toe nail. Say "Hi Jak, how's Linda?" you'll be glad you did.