Larry Cutrone - Entertainer - Screenplay writer

Local Entertainer Interviewed on TV

Larry Cutrone: Talk2Me with Esther Mills. Larry is my friend and a talented local entertainer in NJ ! I loved his close out song - "on the bayou". Larry will be a guest on OUR BAYOU once we get moved down there. Mulat Bayou near Milton, Florida!

TAX CHAMPION NEW JERSEY

Taxes can be a good thing if balanced to the needs of governmental services and the citizens ability to pay. And it is important that a wide cross-section of people pay taxes whether rich or poor. Otherwise there is a built in failure to take ownership of government. Instead you become a ward of the government not in just a point of fact but in a state of mind. (read the whole article in COMMENTS - below)

Gorgeous Snow in Sussex County with Music

Glenn Zervas provided the music. The video is from a fantasic big flake snowfall in NW New Jersey in 2007 - shot by ME3TV . There is a dvd of this if you want some of the high quality video to share with friends. For 20 or more the price is $2 - $3 each in sleeves. Might make a nice gift "card". Meanwhile, feel free to share the link!! The web quality video with the music is just fine for most folks. And it is FREE !

The People's Court

This happened to ME in my small town in NJ !!

How To Install Invisible Shelves

Beautiful New Jersey

There is ANOTHER NJ ... For those lucky enough to live here.

Where all the Money Goes - the Pit

Should US Stop Dumping Money Into Hole? @ Yahoo! Video

Woodwards book THE WAR WITHIN

"The toad in the road"
The "toad in the road" is the only memorable phrase in Bob Woodward’s latest book "The War Within."
I am not going to deprecate Mr. Woodward for this sleeper primarily because I don’t think he wrote it.
I take him at his word when he lauds junior writer Brady Dennis saying "…there would be no book without him." It appears that Mr. Dennis wrote everything but the Author’s Note.
Woodward also acclaims Evelyn Duffy, who graduated from college all the way back in 2007, for her "extensive understanding of the U.S. government." SEE COMMENT LINK BELOW THiS PoST for THE CONTIUED REVIEW.

If Not Now, When?

Jack Jacobs. I heard Jack speak at a Naval Order Luncheon a couple of years ago and I was kicking myself for weeks because I did not tape his talk. Well, now his book absolves me of the need for self mutilation. This is not "just another Vietnam story" - it is a life narrative that involves a whole lesson in European cultures assimilating into America in the 20th Century. The narrative comes off in print just as if Jack is talking to YOU! I hope this book becomes required reading for every high school kid in the country. Why? Because Jack gives a real-life story but life lessons are peppered through every page in a way that transposes dry humor - sometimes dark humor - on top of underlying principles. Plus - it far outclasses any of the dozens of "victim books" pushed on students these days as a means of inspiring a social consciousness.

Jacob's Vietnam experience came in two parts. One, in which his brain was nearly blown out of his head and yet he still managed to survive and perform heroically - the words of an old Jewish proverb ringing in his ears --- "If Not Now... When?". And the second - in the closing chapters of the Vietnam war, taking the fight to the enemy still. It was that second part of the war that I relate to from my own time there in a tin can providing naval gunfire support to the troops ashore. He relates one incident - calling for artillery - and having the USS Newport News respond with amazing effect. (Newport News - a few weeks after this event - had an explosion aboard - with 20 casualties. It was about a week before my ship arrived in those waters). My brother's - brother-in-law ... was part of the Newport News crew then.

Jacobs writes about his time after the war, as a teacher at West Point. One of our friends in Sparta, NJ was in his classes in the mid '70's. Nobody dozed in HIS classes! His life experience and his delivery of lessons beyond the scope of the course made for indelible impressions on the minds of young Army cadets.

Readers will find many connections to their own experiences in this book because Jacobs presents a wide body of knowledge and experience that is bound to touch all of us in some way, even if you are a teenager in 2008. I cannot say enough about the book. Get it. Read it.

RV Cooking Show - Lovin' Las Vegas and Pizzas on the Grill

For when you go on the road to escape NJ.

Tragic Tale of USS EDSALL in WWII

After 66 years of Misinformation and Mystery, the actual story of the American destroyer USS Edsall (DD-219) is scheduled to be released this December. The book, four years in the making, and with original sources from the National Archives in Wash. DC to others in Holland, Australia, New Zealand, & Japan, as well as from family members & veterans, is entitled A Blue Sea of Blood and will be published by Zenith Press.

Despite the fact that the general contours of Edsall's fate have been recognized for some time, almost all accounts--particularly on the Internet--are erroneous to one degree or another. This new book will focus on the ship's lengthy career, and set the record straight at last. It will correct errors of both omission & commission in addition to illuminating areas of the ship's service not covered in any detail previously.

Connect HERE TO LEARN MORE

Although attempts have been made to preempt some of the rare information contained within the text, the old adage, "Accept no substitute" is a good policy when it comes to A Blue Sea of Blood and understanding Edsall's history. The book, which was written to honor the memory of those young men lost so many years ago and so needlessly, will be well worth the wait.

Bampage - Bam's Blog

http://bamcubz.multiply.com/journal
BAM is, it seems a natural writer with plenty of life experience to add
color and reason to her words. Someday - her blog will be a book - I think.

Geocaching is FUN

Geocaches near Sparta, NJ. A fun hiking and hunting hobby.

Singer - Writer - Bruno

Erin Bruno is a twenty-three year old native of Hopatcong, New Jersey. She holds two degrees, one is an AA in Liberal Arts from Sussex County Community College and the other is a BA in Print Media/English from Arcadia University, formerly Beaver College. Currently Erin is a freelance writer/editor, published poet and musician. She is a regular contributor to the site, http://www.muzikreviews.com. She is also an independent singer/songwriter and lead singer/lyricist for the band, Project Autumn, who is currently recording their debut album.

Recently, Erin started this blog as a peg-board for all her artistic endeavors and to host links to music pages, creative writing, published freelancing, music reviews and art. Like many local artists, writers, and musicians, she is looking for exposure and for people to come and enjoy her art.

http://theseeker1023.blogspot.com/

http://www.myspace.com/erinmusic23

http://www.powellwebclass.com/monclass/erinbrunofin/main.htm

Erin was in some journalism courses at SCCC taught by this blogger.

THE TAXI MAN Writes a Book

"No One KnowsWhat It's Like To Be The Cab Man" I ordered my copy from Amazon.com but you can also get it in Sussex County NJ at the Highland Lakes General Store and at Annies Books in Sussex. APRIL Story in the NJ Herald. There is adult content and strong language. Meyer may miss a lot of potential market by presenting his observations on life with complete lack of PC and with a strong dose of gutter language. He could have used an editor to check out some spelling. And there is room for a little better organization of thought. On the other hand, for the daring soul - this book will give you a good dose of human psychology behind the veil of proper society. Even with some grammatical and organizational shortcomings - his first person narrative is a smooth and fun read. Avoid giving a copy to your pastor as a gift - and certainly not to his wife! Meyer truly takes the narrative below the belt. Be warned. His narrative might find a great audience as a serial in some magazine like "Rolling Stone".

Sparta Students Interview Veterans

Interesting interview with students following their veteran interview project. Patrick Higgins Blog.

Miscellaneous musings...

This is from Tom Richarme
Recently completed readings of three Lincoln related books:
The Age of Lincoln by Orville Vernon Burton
Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation by Allen C. Guelzo
Act of Justice--Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and the Law of War
by Carnahan, Burrus M.
If you run out of things to do with your life they make an interesting trilogy. Am about to begin Stephen E. Ambrose's Nothing Like It In The World-The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad. Ambrose is really an excellent writer, as well as historian.

I plan on retiring from my so called (work) life here at the end of May, so I will have time to read the 20 history books that I still have in a pile from my History Book Club days-in the words of Sandra's grandfather, Mr. Pat Faulkner of Commerce Georgia still ringing in my ears: "boy, if you really don't need it, it don't matter what its on sale for!" (words of wisdom that I still struggle to adopt-but then again, he would be the ruination of our consumer economy). Posted to
http://me3tv-authors.blogspot.com/

Burro Rehab Project

A GREAT LITTLE YOUTUBE FILM FROM -- Myron Leski, a Sparta Fine Artist paints in oils. His website is www.myronleski.com. Here is his remake of an old fiberglass burro travel trailer. Enjoy! And check out his art!

Things are Different in Africa

A SAD NOTE on this post. After posting this - I learned that Fred Pitts had died of a stroke only a couple of days after his talk to the Kiwanis Club. At the club I noticed his voice seemed to waver and I thought it had to do with aging or the Africa experience. It may well have been the onset of a stroke.

Things are Different in Africa - By Fred Pitts
Dear Fred,
I heard you talk at the Milton Kiwanis club when I was home a month ago. I bought two of your books. I have only read so far about 50 pages, but i am fascinated by it and have already recommended it to several people. My Review
I gave one of your books as a gift to my mother-in-law , Kathryn Gatewood ... who apparently taught you in elementary school. she is retired from teaching AND from the Methodist ministry - is about 84 years old and lives in Mulat. Se was thrilled to get your book and talked a lot about "Freddy" and how you were so smart ... and was proud that you had written a book.
by now, I hope she has read the book. she said she was going to contact you and i made sure she had a card with your number and email.
I hope to wrap my time around this BLOG with book reviews and author interviews - (audio files by phone - and video interviews when possible) and perhaps you can be one of the interviews in the (Hopefully) NEAR future.
Wishing you much success with the book. I know it has been out for awhile - but sometimes demand has a way of picking up at random times. I wish it were required reading for a lot of panhandle people (and in particular occupations around the country!!).
THINGS ARE DIFFERENT IN AFRICA
Buy Things ADIA
buy from AMAZON
REVIEW

The Mayor Introduces Sparta

Michael Spekhardt, Mayor for 2007-08 introduces the Township of
Sparta, NJ. More about the town and Sussex County are available at
www.spartanj.org and www.me3tv.org (links to Sparta).

Cat Has All The Marbles

Click to Play

A vase with clear marbles in it attracted Skittles. After a few mornings waking up to find marbles on the floor and sometimes hearing marbles roll around the floor - we set up spy camera.

USS Houston POW Ship

An Army Air Corps veteran describes his bombing run on the Japanese ship that held POWs from the USS Houston.

Rock Hard the rockumentary

A rocumentary from a school in NJ. A rock band forms and then falls apart. Some former members join the armed forces.

The Justices and More

Tom: Well, you have surpassed my reading level now. I have to congratulate you. As I did in those days when you left the pond creek swamps for Navy OCS - I have again placed you on a pedestal of achievement to which I can aspire. (Vic)

Just finished two rather short books, that turned out to be unintentional companion volumes-The Supreme Court-Personalities and Rivalries that Defined America, and All The Laws But One by the late Chief Justice Wm Rehnquist. The former was not an exhaustive study of the court, but rather several parings of justices and differing "judicial temperaments" over the
history of the Republic. For example, John Marshall and Thomas Jefferson; John Marshall Harlan and Oliver Wendell Holmes; Hugo Black and William O. Douglas; William Rehnquist and Antonia Scalia.
The latter was a study by Rehnquist of the attempts on the part of the Federal Gov't to suspend civil liberties in times of war, especially the writ of habeas corpus. Reviews the Civil War, World War 1, WW 2, especially the internment of Japanese Americans on the West Coast.
This was written in 1998. Would be interesting if Rehnquist were still with us to get his take on the Bush efforts in the post 9-11 world. It truth, O W Holmes was correct when he rather cynically said: "The Law is what we say that it is.!" Vic, the more I learn, the more I realize how little I actually know.

Oh well, on to my study of the Constitution-where I may actually read it in its entirety for the first time. I fear that I will be camped out here for the "duration." (Tom Richarme)

Sex and the Single Tiger

Tiger sex is what causes a growing population of little tigers that become big tigers having more tiger sex. Thus it seems castration is an animal husbandry technique that is being employed more in the zoo environment. This video is not for the squeamish. It is factual and presented plainly. It can be an education for some.

RE: suggested reading material

Amazing! Thanks, Tom. I need to blog this in book reviews. vic
Just finished David McCullough's Path Between the Seas-the building of the Panama Canal; Damn, but McCullough is a good author as well as historian. Really an interesting read. I have always wanted to steam through the canal-maybe after retirement.!
This book reminded me that I knew next to nothing about TR, so I read Aida Donald's Lion In The White House. It was really a high level overview of TR's life-really more of a "TR light." I plan to purchase and read McCullough's Mornings On Horseback which should do TR more justice.
In the meantime, however, I am reading The Supreme Court-The Personalities and Rivalries That Defined America by Jeffrey Rosen-to be followed by America's Constitution by Akhil Reed Amar-it is a bit intimidating in size, but maybe at last I will actually understand the Electoral College.?

HOLLER to the TROOPS from SCCC

Click to Play

Sussex County Community College sends a HOLLER to the troops in the Middle East.  This aired on local cable and the web version is hoped to reach plenty of the troops who are at the tip of the spear.

HOLLER to the TROOPS from SCCC

Click to Play

Sussex County Community College sends a HOLLER to the troops in the Middle East.  This aired on local cable and the web version is hoped to reach plenty of the troops who are at the tip of the spear.