……..

Last night I had the privilege of honoring some of New Jersey’s BEST at Asbury Park’s magnificent Convention Hall Theater. My co-host Calvin Schwartz and I enjoyed greeting the honorees on the red carpet. The New Jersey Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates Garden State Citizens for their outstanding accomplishments. I am always impressed with the diversity of over achievers that are chosen for each year’s ceremony. Year’s passed the Inductees have included Jack Nicholson, Bruce Springsteen, Dizzy Gillespie, Martha Stewart, Joyce Carol Oates, Tony Bennet, Whitney Houston, John Travolta, Dionne Warwick, Michael Douglas and Bruce Willis. And this year’s honored were equally impressive:

Class of 2015

James Fenimore Cooper – America’s National Novelist – “Last of the Mohicans”

William Fox of 20th Century Fox – His first film studio was in Fort Lee New Jersey

Lewis Katz – Founder and Director of Katz Foundation

Kool & The Gang –  “Jungle Boogie”, “Funky Stuff”, “Ladies Night”, “Celebration”

Jack H. Jacobs – Medal of Honor, McDermott Chair of Humanities, On-Air Analyst for NBC

Derek Jeter – Five Time World Series Champion, Yankees All-Time Career Leader

Frank R. Lautenberg – Represented NJ in the United States Senate for five terms.

Bernard Marcus – Co-Founder of Home Depot

Christie Rampone – FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion & 3 time Olympic Gold Medalist

Jon Stewart – Television Host of The Daily Show – winning 18 EmmyAwards

Dick Vitale – American Basketball Sportscaster & Analyst, ABC, ESPN, NCAA, Olympic Games

Carla Harris – Vice Chairman, Global Wealth Management, Managing Director and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley and Gospel Singer

The evening began with the theater booming from the tremendous sound of the Glen Burtnik Band. Soon after we were treated to a wonderful rendition of Theme from New York, New York sung by Joe Piscopo, the Hall Of Fame’s Host. Among laughter and cheers Joe Piscopo sung about New Jersey’s greatest and most memorable places to love and avoid. Throughout the evening one by one the Honorees and their families accepted the prestigious awards. All who attended the ceremony that evening could sense the great privilege that each inductee felt who stood on the stage that night.

(Special thanks to photographer: Richard Elliott Hoynes)

After a great evening in Asbury, rubbing elbows with my long-lost cousin Dick Vitale, and serenading “Ladies Night” to Kool & the Gang, I am settling down with my better half to rent the “Last of the Mohicans” in honor of New Jersey’s Hall of Fame. Looking forward to next year’s Ceremony and finding out who will be chosen from the many supremely talented Jersey Citizens. Congrats to all New Jerseys Hall of Fame Inductees and Good Luck to all the Hopefuls!

TaraJean McDonald Vitale

Journalist & Radio Host & On-Air Personality, NJDiscover

yourstrulyTJ@wordpress.com

NJ DISCOVER LIVE RADIO/TV SHOW: “A NIGHT IN THE ART GALLERY”; TUNE IN & MEET 3 UNIQUE JERSEY ARTISTS; KORTEZ ROBINSON, MARIA SAVARESE, SHEILA GRABARSKY; MONDAY FEBRUARY 8^TH 8PM with Hosts TARA-JEAN VITALE & CALVIN SCHWARTZ

TUNE IN MONDAY FEBRUARY 8^TH  8PM;    www.njdiscover.com

THE SHOW ALSO AIRS ON LONG BRANCH COMMUNITY ACCESS TV CHANNEL 20  EVERY NIGHT 9 pm Beginning Feb 15th

Art is always on our minds. Hosts Tara-Jean, Calvin and friends were together at an art party in Asbury Park this summer. They created art and knew it was time to delve and explore. Recent trips to Rutgers Zimmerli Museum, Monmouth Museum, Princeton Art Museum, MOMA and art galleries of Central Jersey solidified the motivation and content for February’s show.  The artists appearing represent a broad panoply of art, background, arrival, courage and commitment; fascinating stories and its way more than just art. Maybe a little Hollywood thrown in, shaken not stirred.

Also check You Tube for our last show on “Adoption” with special guests playwright/ singer/ songwriter Zara Phillips and Broadway actress & documentarian Nam Holtz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoEio5gn6aI

TUNE IN MONDAY FEBRUARY 8^TH  8PM;    www.njdiscover.com

MEET THE ARTIST GUESTS: 

KORTEZ ROBINSON:

Kortez, a fine artist residing in Freehold, New Jersey, uses mixed media collage, acrylic, watercolor and works on paper, wood and found objects. The art of Kortez is one of a kind as he is able to find inspiration and unconventional medium upon which to use as canvas. The subject matter of his work comes through vividly. Vibrant colors and provocative topics such as race, politics, social commentary and pop culture break through his art with bright colors and vibrant deliberate lines. Exhibiting a strong hand and intentional shapes, Kortez makes his point through bright colors and bold lines.  His art is currently being show at Vonda’s Kitchen  and Duke’s Southern Table in Newark NJ. Palette Arts space and At The Table in Asbury Park NJ.  In his residing home town Kortez has art at The Freehold Art Gallery and a restaurant called Uncle Ralston’s Home Style Cooking also has a few of Kortez’ paintings.

Esotericurbanism is the title and description for some of the art created by Kortez.  The journey is an ongoing exploration into visual art via mixed media collage, drawing, painting, sculpture, print making and photography.

      http://www.esotericurbanism.com

MARIA SAVARESE: 

Mixed Media Artist, Maria Savarese  has been creating since she was a young girl.  She started with weaving potholders and painting trinkets for her mother, and now weaves beautiful silver and copper pendants and is a professional potter.  Maria also paints and creates wall art out of found objects, has been in juried art shows and has had her work presented in galleries in PA, NY and NJ.

Maria works year round at Yellow Duck Preparatory School and runs the Ceramics/Pottery and Jewelry Programs at Country Roads Day Camp in Manalapan.  She also gives private and group lessons in her studio at home.  You can find her on Facebook on her Art Page, Mia Art, and on her website,

                                 www.MiaArtOnline.com.

She specializes in creative paintings and art that have deep personal and emotional meanings. She bridges the gap between self-taught and professionally driven skill that has taken her on a journey starting from early childhood, to college, and diving into her own creativity with professional pottery, lessons, fine art, and crafts.

Maria is many things, a potter, fine artist, crochet enthusiast, to durable and functional artist. From teaching classes to one on one art fun, Maria is much more than just an artist sitting in a studio. She loves people, loves engaging with art, and loves teaching and working with children and young adults. From pottery to learning how to mix paint, have fun with art, and create masterpieces, Maria teaches with a level of whimsy that keeps her students coming back for more.

SHEILA GRABARSKY:   

Sheila is a seasoned, classically trained, national award-winning artist with biographies in numerous Who’s Who’s. She has worked and exhibited across the U.S. for over 25 years in corporate, educational, commercial, and healthcare venues as well as museums and online.  Her work is in numerous private / public collections. She is currently showing works in a Hollywood film to be released this year, American Pastoral, based on Philip Roth’s novel of the same name starring Dakota Fanning and Jennifer Connelly. Sheila also recently published a back cover testimonial for a book of poetry entitled Leaves of Absence by Sally Brown Deskins.

“Color creation is very exciting. As a small child I painted a yellow watercolor sun into a blue sky and was thrilled to have accidentally created green, which hadn’t been there before! I remain awestruck, still, at color creation.”

Classically trained at Syracuse University, Sheila’s work evolved from expressionistic portraits into gestural abstraction.” I do not have a preconceived notion as I approach my easel. I work in multicolored, multi-textured layers. Lately I’ve been adhering dried skins of acrylic residue off my palette, as I find them incredibly beautiful and inspiring. Watching as forms literally present themselves as foreground is an amazing experience, always requiring hours of concentrated studio time. I am fascinated by the discovery and the mystery of harnessing chaos into a cohesive composition.

                         http://Grabarskystudio.com

TUNE IN MONDAY FEBRUARY 8^TH  8PM;    www.njdiscover.com

                                                                                THE SHOW ALSO AIRS ON LONG BRANCH COMMUNITY ACCESS TV CHANNEL 20  EVERY NIGHT 9 pm Beginning Feb 15th

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

WINDMILL RESTAURANTS  http://www.windmillhotdogs.com/home

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Did you know that 1 out of 10 people living in Monmouth and Ocean Counties receive food from the FoodBank? In addition to food, we provide services that help to solve hunger.   It takes community support to build food secure communities. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of the 131,000 men, women and children who struggle with hunger.

NJ DISCOVER LIVE RADIO/TV SHOW  DEC  7TH 2015   8-9pm  TUNE IN/WATCH    “ADOPTION, REALITY, INSPIRATION & CREATIVITY”  with Special GUESTS, singer/songwriter, playwright, author Zara Phillips, and actress, producer, director, Nam Holtz with your HOSTS  Tara-Jean Vitale & Calvin Schwartz

bY Calvin Schwartz   11-30-15

TUNE IN, LISTEN, WATCH LIVE OR ON YOU TUBE AFTER SHOW:  www.njdiscover.com

THE SHOW ALSO AIRS ON LONG BRANCH COMMUNITY ACCESS TV CHANNEL 20  

HOW THIS SHOW EVOLVED:  We like to share with our audience how a particular show came to be (evolved). Cut to two years ago. NJ Discover Live was on the road shooting our Holiday Show on location in Belmar, New Jersey at the ocean front home  of Richard Hoynes.  There were seven invited guests to be interviewed that night, a few weeks before Christmas. As it turned out, all the guests had music in common except of course the hosts, Tara-Jean Vitale and Calvin Schwartz (not necessarily musically inclined, but love music and can dance and are music journalists.)

In the hour before the live broadcast, the conversation drifted in many different directions. Then someone mentioned adoption; their children were adopted. As if a game of people dominoes was being played while the exigencies of the universe descended on Rich Hoynes’ living room, replete with cameras and sound recording equipment; one by one, the guests mentioned their involvement with adoption. Zara Phillips was a musical guest that night; she is an adoptee. I added how adoption fulfilled my life’s journey.  This resounding purposeful synchronicity bound all of us to thinking someday we would do a show about adoption. And here we are. But we wanted to look at this subject in a different way, with a twist, so to speak, shaken but not stirred. Our guests for the December 7^th show are so wondrously amazingly creative, talented, motivated and adopted.

Calvin Schwartz   11-30-15

Montclair’s Zara Phillips named Congressional Angel in Adoption

Solo play ‘Beneath my Father’s Sky’
returns to NYC stage next month

 MONTCLAIR, NJ (October 20, 2015) — Author, musician, filmmaker and advocate for adoptee rights, Zara Phillips was invited to Washington, D.C., this month to receive a Congressional Angel in Adoption Award for her tireless work to bring awareness to adoption issues and to assist adoptees in coping with an unresolved past. Phillips returns from the nation’s capital just in time to gear up for her November 5, 2015 return to the New York City stage with her one-woman show, Beneath My Father’s Sky, which debuted in 2013, directed by actor Eric Roberts and wife, Eliza.

Nominated as an Angel in Adoption by U.S. Rep. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (NJ-11), Phillips was cited for her multi-faceted efforts to shed light on adoption: memoir, documentary film, theatre, public speaker and presenter of workshops around the country that empower adopted teens to process their feelings through storytelling and music.

The timing of Phillips’ return to the stage is apropos as November is National Adoption Month. In the critically acclaimed production, theatre-goers join Phillips’ journey to find her birth father and experience the myriad emotions and realities that follow. The play, which won the 2013 Festival Award for Best Direction, has been performed by Phillips in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Montclair.

Zara noted, “For many adoptees, not knowing who their birth parents are takes an enormous and emotional energy toll. The restlessness of not knowing the past can make focusing on the present and future incredibly challenging. It is my hope to fuel awareness with my story.”

A presenter for the American Adoption Congress, Phillips, who was born and raised in England, travels the United States and United Kingdom offering workshops and presentations on various adoption-related topics. Phillips wrote, directed and starred in Roots Unknown, named best documentary short at the Garden State Film Festival. Phillips’ memoir, Mother Me: An Adopted Woman’s Journey to Motherhood, has been touted as “bravely illuminating” the lifelong impact of adoption on each member of the adoption triad. Phillips’ music career includes work with Live-Aid founder Bob Geldof and other rock bands, as well as collaboration with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and adoptee Darryl McDaniels of Run DMC.

 Beneath My Father’s Sky was staged on November 5th at Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street, New York City.

For more information about Zara and her work, log on to www.adoptionunmasked.com.

A LOOK AT MEGGIN “NAM” HOLTZ:

MEGGIN “NAM” HOLTZ is a Korean adoptee working as an actress and producer in NYC.  Nam graduated cum laude from SUNY Purchase with a BFA in dance.  She spent the first year after graduation on scholarship at the Merce Cunningham dance studio in NYC and making coffee and frappacinos while working at “Starbucks.”  During this busy time, she was cast on Broadway in “The King & I!”

After her Broadway debut, she was cast in “The King & I” in London’s West End, where she had the good fortune of performing in the beautiful London Palladium Theatre.

Nam has sung the music of Queen in “We Will Rock You” at Las Vegas’ Paris, and toured across the USA in productions of “Miss Saigon” and “Flower Drum Song.”

Now, Nam is producing a documentary film called “Found in Korea,” about adoption, her personal search for her birth family, and issues surrounding adoption. Trailer and website: www.foundinkorea.com            Donations towards post-production costs are graciously accepted.

Growing up in a transracial family has lead Nam to discover that many complex adoption issues are underrepresented in the media, and outdated by law.  She has recently been invited to speak on the “Flip the Script” panel at the American Adoption Congress Conference in Denver, taking place in March of 2016.

Her poem “Who Cut my Umbilical Cord?” is currently published in the recently released “Flip the Script” Adult Adoptee Anthology (available on Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/Flip-Script-Adoptee-Anthology–YA/dp/1517686741/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447211893&sr=1-1&keywords=flip+the+script).

Nam has traveled extensively, and her friends and family will vouch that she has a hearty appetite for humor, the truth… and yummy food.  Nam also loves animals, learning, good music and the beach

TUNE IN, LISTEN, WATCH LIVE OR ON YOU TUBE AFTER SHOW:  www.njdiscover.com

SPONSOR:  NJ Discover Live Radio/TV is proud to announce our Sponsor : WindMill Restaurants  www.windmillhotdogs.com

CONTACT INFO :

ZARA PHILLIPS:   www.adoptionunmasked.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zaraphillips/?fref=ts

MEGGIN NAM HOLTZ  http://namholtz.com

foundinkorea.com        Facebook: ttps://www.facebook.com/nam.holtz.9?fref=ts

TARA-JEAN VITALE:   https://www.facebook.com/TaraJeanVitale?fref=ts

CALVIN SCHWARTZ:   www.vichywater.net     Cerebral Writer: https://www.facebook.com/Calvin-Schwartz-Cerebral-Writer-258272024192114/?fref=ts

NJ DISCOVER VIDEO SPOTLIGHT ROBERT “COZMO” CONSULMAGNO; A Passionate Advocate/Patient for Mental Health (PTSD-Bipolar), World Ranked Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Champion, US Marine Veteran, Victim of Child Abuse and Fascinating Personality. HINT: Take 7 Minutes, WATCH the video and absorb this Dynamic Persona.    bY Calvin Schwartz November 24, 2015

Life is curiously synchronistic. Writing this, I’m thinking of an old TV Show, ‘Candid Camera’, when some of the verbiage consisted of “Just when you least expect it.”  It was a August mid-summer night’s dream, warm and breezy when comedian Mike Marino called and invited me to hang out with a gang of old Jersey City guys, assembling at Barnacle Bill’s in Rumson, mostly to hear Mike’s brother, singer Paul Marino and his band perform.  The Jersey City guys were seated in the back of the restaurant in a quiet little table. I felt Damon Runyon was nearby. I sat next to this ripped, powerful looking guy wearing an intimidating ‘The Warriors’ black tee-shirt. Cozmo’s look worked; I was intimidated.  Consulmagno  was born in Jersey City.

Then that funny thing happened when I least expected it.  After talking to Cozmo for a few minutes, while the rest of table engaged in Jersey City memories, I discovered that he is a sensitive, eloquent, passionate, yet quintessentially really tough, engaging and caring guy with a lot of baggage.  As he talked to me, I sat in disbelief; he was abused as a child; his father committed suicide, his step father beat him and his mother relentlessly. To escape and find an inner peace, he enlisted in the Marines and left the Marines honorably discharged with commendations and PTSD and an active Bi-Polar condition. I also had this sixth journalistic sense that one day I’d do a video and article about Consulmagno. And here we are; Déjà vu is all around.

You all should watch this seven minute video to experience the charisma and charm of Robert “Cozmo” Consulmagno. You’ll probably come away thinking like me; there is a Hollywood movie waiting to be made. He is actually precious, dynamic and unbelievable. His story cries out to all those who’ve yet to see or know him. Yes, he has PTSD and Bipolar. Yes, he is a World Ranked Jiu Jitsu fighter.  Yes, he had a grandfather, Michael Consulmagno (aka Michael Taylor) who knocked out Max Schmeling who knocked out Joe Louis. Yes he fights Jiu Jitsu to release that energy of mental disease. Yes, his mission in life is to stay alive and live a long life and to be a spokesperson for mental health and build that legacy. Yes, you all should watch this poignant interview; the best seven minutes spent in a long time. Tara-Jean Vitale and Calvin Schwartz ask the questions behind the scenes.

Also please check out the following Robert “Cozmo” Consulmagno LINKS:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/supercrazycozmo?fref=ts

Website: http://www.supercrazycozmo.com

Watch Emmy Award winning film maker Glenn Holsten’s seven minute film:   “Jersey City native, jiu-jitsu fighter tours old neighborhood and talks mental health”  http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2015/11/jersey_city_native_tours_old_neighborhood_in_web_f.html

“Marine Vet Says Jiu Jitsu Changed His Life”

http://www.military.com/video/specialties-and-personnel/veterans/marine-vet-says-jiu-jitsu-changed-his-life/4000866956001

On the Road: NJ Discover at New Jersey State House Press Conference November 5th for “Need Help? 2-1-1” bY Calvin Schwartz November 17, 2015

As journalists for NJ Discover, both Tara-Jean Vitale and myself were invited to attend the press conference for the new (revamped) NJ 211.org website. For me, after six decades of Jersey living, it would be my first time inside our State House. And quite frankly, despite all my travels throughout our state, my fingers seemingly on all the right pulses of what’s happening here, I was classically clueless (like the old movie) on what the 211 help system was all about. As a good reporter, I read about it prior to Wednesday and was fascinated on several levels; why didn’t I know about this and certainly, if I didn’t know, my being a man of words, explorations and social media proclivities, then a significant number of other Jersey residents, many of whom should and could avail themselves of the numerous services offered, probably didn’t know about 2-1-1 either.

It would be a perfect day; we found a metered parking spot in front of the State House.  The rotunda was magnificent, replete with historic paintings. I knew George Washington crossed the Delaware not too far from where we were which added to the sense of poignant history. Once inside the conference room, we met with Thomas Cosentino, MWW who invited us to attend.  Tom briefed us on the speakers; Joe Geleta, Executive Director of NJ 2-1-1 Partnership; Captain Robert Little, Executive Officer State Office of Emergency Management at New Jersey State Police; Maria Nikolatos, Director Disaster Response Program and Arnold Valentin Jr, Assistant Program Director, Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton; and other representatives of government agencies.

It’s not the intent of this article to digest/recant the speaker’s comments. I’ll keep repeating myself though. Everyone reading this article really really (that’s two emphatic ‘really’!)  needs to go to NJ211.org to learn about Dial 2-1-1 to grasp the depth and breadth of all they are doing for us here in New Jersey. I did comment at the end of the meeting, how amazed I was at all the services that are offered by 2-1-1 and that my gut feeling, since I never heard of it, that there probably were many Jerseyans who also do NOT know enough about 2-1-1. Tara-Jean and I volunteered to do all we can to spread the word. That’s what this is all about.

There was one particular speaker that riveted me; Manny Fountain.  Manny is disabled (in a wheel chair) and was living in a motel room. He called 2-1-1. It was a year after Hurricane Sandy and he had nowhere to turn. 2-1-1 put him in touch with Catholic Charities. As Manny explained, the amount of effort they put forth “was astounding along with their drive and passion.”  If not for 2-1-1, he would’ve never found a wheel chair accessible apartment. They created a “new family and support system…..I would’ve never seen my life like this……I’m in grad school now.”  I was so enthralled with Manny’s eloquence, sensitivity and his resounding positivity, we’ve become Facebook friends; a first step in a continuing friendship. He is quite amazing.

Throughout the press conference, I heard, “We are helping people with specific needs.” As I explored the website, it all makes such perfect sense that I wanted to shout about 2-1-1- from the highest hill; that’s what I’m doing now; sitting on a hill, writing.  After the press conference, I had the pleasure to talk with Gary Shaw, a Director from Cablevision, as they are so committed to the 2-1-1 effort, Thomas Mergola, Director of Operations, ‘Need Help 2-1-1’, Lori A. Price Abrams, Vice President, Government Relations, MWW, Captain Robert Little from the State Police, who was also so passionate about 2-1-1 and Jay Stack, President of IGM Creative Group. So much energy and commitment in the room; many of you know me; I didn’t want to leave. I needed to keep absorbing. Then the lights went out in the room. It was definitely time to leave but not before a few photo-ops in the rotunda.

This final paragraph is designed so folks can help spread the word about 2-1-1.  As a matter of fact, here is what I try to include on all my Facebook posts (and social media); every little bit helps to spread (promulgate) the word.  And it’s almost Thanksgiving and the holidays; so have a happy and keep giving.

On social media posts you can also include this:

“This part is a PSA message. Know anybody in New Jersey who needs almost any kind of help? Discover a remarkable group of people. Best to check website www.nj211.org   or call 2-1-1”

“A NIGHT AT THE STRAND” Celebrating 93 Years at the Strand Center for the Arts September 29^th 2015 with Calvin Schwartz & Tara-Jean Vitale    bY Calvin  Schwartz  October 25th

“A Night at the Strand” was one of those meant to be at events; anything involving that theater. Some four years ago, Tara-Jean and I discovered The Strand in Lakewood; this magical, beautiful, historic place of theater, music, comedy and acoustical wizardry. Three years ago we attended the 90^th Gala and walked away meeting people who have influenced and changed the course of our lives. That Gala event was followed by so many other events we attended at The Strand; from Sandy relief concerts, to intimate and memorable ‘Backstage Pass’ events to great music and endearing holiday shows. Thanks right away to The Strand’s Lori Gilmore for inviting us.

This night was quite special from the moment we arrived in the Gallery for the reception. It’s a funny thing when you’ve been to a plethora of events over the years; you can tell almost instantly, there was something different this night; perhaps the air of excitement, accomplishment, future think and change. Tara-Jean and I acknowledged instantly there was that palpable energy in the room. Good journalists need to pursue.  Tara-Jean asked, “What’s going on. Everybody is so upbeat and anticipatory.” Lori spot on introduced us to Anthony D’Amato (known on stage as ‘Remember Jones’) He was named the new producing artistic director of the Strand. His responsibilities include working closely with management, giving input in production and show prospects, producing his own theatrical and music events and probably a myriad of other job descriptions.  His persona was electric, dynamic, indefatigable and youthful. Actually he is very young.

We asked Anthony about his history. “I used to usher here when I was 12 years old. I would pick up trash in the aisles. From there, I became a performer then a director and recently put on my own music events here. In the past I’ve been able to turn small theaters-outdated- into something with a social scene. That’s my goal for here. The artistic vision for me is NOT to put on musicals and plays yet, but first we need to establish this area again as some sort of social scene.-a hang-out for all ages to be comfortable which is not easy.”

I thought it was all a process. Tara-Jean mentioned hearing rumblings that this gallery area will be made into a night-club. Anthony chimed in, “Right. This gallery space is completely under-utilized….as a performance space, there will be a stage built here, different colors and designs, art on the walls, music on stage. The bar is always happening with comfortable vibes. The food is comfortable. The seating is comfortable; a place where 20 somethings and older can hang out in. Scott McFadden, our Board President thought this all was an East Village thought-kind of like Asbury Park when it started to revitalize…I talk to a lot of 20 somethings (I thought to myself Anthony looks exactly like a 20 something) and there is no place for them to go and be entertained, have a few drinks and not feel like they are at a bar. They want somewhere that is comfortable…We’ll have a place for people to stay in Lakewood rather than go somewhere else; that’s my goal.”

I said, “You give this theater youth.”  Anthony smiled, “Exactly. I call myself the Jimmy Fallon hire. What he’s brought to the Tonight Show…I want to make this a national venue. Scott (McFadden) is great to work with. He’s a music fan. On Halloween, I’ll have a 40 piece band.”  We thought Anthony was that new revitalized exciting face of The Strand. He was that palpable energy in the room.

There was endless food and drink in the Gallery donated by friends of The Strand; Eddie Testa, Chicken Town, Steve Levine, WindMill, Mike Scotto, Oscar’s Italian Restaurant, Dina Warren, Dina’s Catering and Amy Levine, Takes the Cakes. I picked a bad night to be in the middle of the Paleo diet. Oh well. In between food and drink there was a ceremony in the theater honoring local mayors including Lakewood, Brick, Howell for their great support of the arts. The theater, built in 1922, has such wonderful history; built as a Broadway venue for those vacationing in Lakewood.  We’re told the acoustics are world class; you can be standing at the back wall of the stage, talking and they can hear you at the last row of the theater. Music for the Gala was provided by the incomparable duo of Kevin Gilmore and Scott Solomon.

I caught up to a fellow Rutgers alum and Strand board member, Jeffrey Gerstenblatt. “It’s a great night for us. Help’s us raise money and book the kind of shows we like to book here….when people come for the first time, they see what an experience it is to watch a show here and they want to come back.” Fran Whitney, from The Strand, reiterated the changes being made and turning the Gallery into a night-club setting. Moments later we were introduced to Chris Everett, exuberance personified. “We want to insure this beautiful building continues to be a center for artistic endeavors….Everything technical that happens here is my job; staging, lighting, sound, making people fly, all the fun stuff. If no one notices us, we did our job right because that is the magic of theater.” Tara –Jean wanted to know why The Strand is special. Chris explained, “It was designed to be a Broadway theater….In the 20’s and 30’s Lakewood was a vacation destination…literally it is a replica of a New York City theater.  We can do all these Broadway shows right here; One of the top four acoustically designed buildings in America.”

I strolled past the magnificent cake honoring The Strand, artistically created by Amy Levine from Takes the Cakes.  I stared for a few minutes; the cake is not on the Paleo diet. No one would know but me. Just then, Glen Harrison, Lakewood attorney and Board member, rescued me into conversation. I turned my back on the cake.  I asked Glenn what this night meant to him. “What I’d like to see is The Strand continue as a center for the arts for many years to come…I actually came to the theater 50 years ago, when I was around ten. It was a movie theater back in the 60’s.  We paid 50 cents on Saturday morning, watched movies and cartoons. Its’ had many incarnations over the years. Now across the board, there are all kinds of events for everybody, geographically and demographically….Being a 501C3, we fight for the grant money.”

Old friends Dina Warren and Jesse Warren walked over.  Dina exclaimed this was her first night of being involved in The Strand as co-house manager. “We’re very proud to raise money and keep this all going. I love this beautiful place.” Jesse said, “Looking forward to this theater being on top in New Jersey. I’m a co-founder with Terry Camp of Big Road Productions. We’ll be here in 2016 bringing some great shows.”

We looked to complete the essence of our journalistic endeavors by cornering board president, Scott McFadden right in the epicenter of the Gallery.  Right away he spoke about honoring the local mayors and thanking them formally on stage for their contributions to their communities. We asked about his functions on the board. “One of my functions is to try and raise money-keep it going. It’s very difficult with non-profits now. A lot of funds have been diverted to Sandy restoration and recovery…even though it is somewhat concluded, it (money) hasn’t found its way back into other areas (arts) again. Fund raising is a real challenge for us. Keeping it going and keeping the theater alive-that’s our focus.”   Scott told us that bringing Anthony D’Amato here is one of the things he’s most proud of. “He played a Backstage Pass for us and did the Joe Cocker show. In between, I read about him and mutual friends told me about him also. I decided one day to talk to him and I finally asked, “Hey, how’d you like to be our artistic director?” First time we talked for 1 ½ hours and the second time for 2 ½ hours. We just clicked on our vision….he knows the scene and I know money. He’s absolutely brilliant… Once people come here, they’ll come back. How do you get them here the first time-that’s what we’re striving for.”

It was time for us to meet the mayors who had just been honored. Mayor John Ducey from Brick loves The Strand because it’s so close to home.  “It’s in our backyard and they are doing so many great events. You are hearing buzz around town about The Strand.” Tara-Jean asked about his noticing more events taking place here. “I’ve heard buzz the last few weeks that ‘Almost Queen’ is coming. Usually you hear about Count Basie but all of a sudden there is definitely a buzz….Anthony is awesome-a lot of energy.” Tara-Jean next asked about the neighborhood.  “People think there’s nothing else to do here. Tonight’s the first time I heard about re-doing the Gallery-remodeling it with food and drink.” We three shook our heads in agreement that it was a brilliant move.

Mayor William Gotto from Howell was waiting for us (the media). “I’ve known Scott (McFadden) for years. It’s humbling to get an award from The Strand. I don’t think we should get awards. It’s what we do. I’m a big supporter of the arts. My family is involved. I’d like to get here a lot more often. I think residents of Howell should take advantage of this beautiful facility. It’s hard to support the arts with the budgets the way they are but the last few years we’re starting to do more things…We want to let people know from a publicity standpoint that it’s here and doing good for the community.”

Tara-Jean and I have been to two out of the last four Gala nights at The Strand. Why; because we love the theater and have been to so many events here. It’s that precious magic ride to the splendor of art deco and the 1920’s and real theater.  There was a group of Strand officials gathered in the lobby. I decided to be theatrical in my exit.  I turned, smiled and said, “I’ll be back,” in a deep voice.  And we will.

A VERY SPECIAL COMING ATTRACTION: MONDAY NIGHT OCTOBER 5^TH NJ DISCOVER LIVE RADIO/TV SHOW with hosts Tara-Jean Vitale & Calvin Schwartz with Our Guests, Actors & Director from the film “Who’s Jenna…?”  Tune In  at 8PM or Watch on YOU TUBE TV or Long Branch Cablevision     bY Calvin Schwartz
 

THE FACTS:  Monday Oct 5^th 8 to 9 PM at  http://www.njdiscover.com/wp1/  OR  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQmwbkYuCVU&feature=youtu.be

for the live radio broadcast of NJDiscover Live. Immediately following show is on

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQmwbkYuCVU&feature=youtu.be   for the YOU TUBE TV broadcast.  The show airs all month on Long Branch Cable TV Channel 20 (LBCTV20), which airs on the Comcast digital TV network.

beginning October 12th every night 9PM

THE GUESTS:  Actors from the NJ based romantic comedy, “Who’s Jenna…?”  Garry Pastore, Lenny Venito, Michael Tota, Bill Sorvino, & Joseph D’Onofrio AND Director Thomas Baldinger.  The hour show explores Indie films, the careers of the actors and director, life & improv on the set of “Who’s Jenna…?”

LINKS TO CHECK OUT: Production Company:   www.624-Productions.com   IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4317858/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_lk2

Laura Madsen, publicist:   http://www.theladyinredblog.com/

SPONSOR:  NJ Discover Live Radio/TV is proud to announce our new Sponsor : WindMill Restaurants  www.windmillhotdogs.com

HOW THIS SHOW EVOLVED:  Back in August, I was invited by Publicist Laura Madsen to spend time on the set of “Who’s Jenna…?” for an article on NJ Discover.com.  It was the perfect follow up to do our LIVE show.  Here is a reprint of the article:

SPOTLIGHT: ON THE NEW JERSEY SET OF FILMING “WHO’S JENNA…..?”   And A CONVERSATION WITH DIRECTOR TOM BALDINGER   bY Calvin Schwartz    September 9th 2015

Hooray for social media, networking and circles of commonality. For the last several years, Laura Madsen, publicist and innovative writer/blogger at  http://www.theladyinredblog.com/  and I have travelled in similar circles of commonality( as I call it). Our energies and passions emanate from Jersey life and the arts. If you’ve read my musings over the past few years, I’ve postulated that Jersey has become the pop culture capital of America and Laura is always at the epicenter. For verification of the postulate, just look at ‘The Soprano’s’, ‘Boardwalk Empire’, “Jersey Boy’s’, ‘Jersey Shore’, ‘Jersey Housewives’, ‘Garden State’, and ‘Jersey Girl’.  Laura and I never had the opportunity for the sharing of notes and synchronicities; we never met formally.

A few weeks ago, Laura contacted me via Facebook and asked if I’d like to cover the filming of a feature film, “Who’s Jenna…..?” which is a comedy  written by award winning producer, director Tom Baldinger from 624 Productions, LLC, a New Jersey based company. Laura hinted that the film title had something to do with an adult film star but that’s all she said. My response to her was immediate and decisive; “I’d love to hang around the set and do some absorbing and interviewing for NJ Discover.”

The next decision for me was where to surface for the best absorption opportunity. The filming was taking place at the Lakewood Country Club for an on-location golf scene or the following day at Verve Restaurant in Somerville.  I surmised that it’s best not to hang around a hot golf course as Jersey was in heat wave, so I opted for the cool basement confines of Verve for the shooting of a dinner scene. And I’d get a chance to hang a bit with actor Garry Pastore; I’ve been a fan for years.

Time constraints of being on set and getting a few minutes to chat (at the break) with director Tom Baldinger made me formulate a direction I wanted to take with this coverage. I’m quick to admit that my experience of being on sets is somewhat limited although I was on set back in the 90’s with Meryl Streep, William Hurt and Renee Zellweger and wound up in the Christmas scene in ‘One True Thing.’ My focus for “Who’s Jenna….?”  was the art of detail and precision in the film making process.

Laura’s phone messaging last  Wednesday morning got me to Verve’s rear parking lot(on foot), through a rear kitchen door, down a steep stairway, through a narrow hallway to a basement dining room, filled with tables and patrons (all actors).  I never asked if this was an active part of the restaurant or just the basement set for a very funny scene. Seated at a large table, with cameras aimed, were actors Garry Pastore, Lenny Venito, Vic Dibitetto (also a very funny comedian whom I saw recently at Count Basie Theater at a Frank Sinatra Birthday Party), and Bill Sorvino, playing the lead role of Jonathan Burke. Next, Laura introduced me to the film director, Tom Baldinger; first and lasting impressions were that of an affable, intense, creative, focused force in the universe. It’s funny how fast you can “size” people. Waiters started bringing steaming plates of pasta, meat balls, chicken and foot long sausage in front of the seated actors; it was 10 AM.  Someone yelled, “Get the Dunkin Donuts coffee cup off the table.” Actor Michael Tota introduced himself. He and I have been part of central Jersey concentric circles; we never met live, but knew of each other.

Readers can go to the film website for more plot/story information. http://www.624-productions.com/#!whos-jenna/c6h0n

The basement area was relatively small; an additional eight tables or so had ‘diners’ (actors) to make for a perfectly realistic restaurant set; the table next had a woman and her young daughter. The small room size and 90 degree outdoor heat made the set challenging.  I watched the crew fill the four actors’ wine glasses half-way with grape juice.  The wine glasses would be an interesting focus for me; the exact level of the juice in the glass was maintained for the next 94 minutes (multiple takes) that I watched from the rear side behind the cameras where Laura and I were positioned. As they were ready to shoot the scene, I heard “Quiet on the set.”  I smiled. This was real.

I won’t give much away but the scene was hysterically funny as the four actors ate (pretended to eat as the sausage maintained its great length throughout), drank, conversed and laughed. I love watching eyes of the actors moving from person to person; just that small detail embraced me. Watching my friend Garry Pastore talk/act/move his eyes/laugh and then greet Michael Tota’s character when he walked over was  perfectly real. There was a poignant albeit funny story going on.  Director Tom Baldinger meticulously instructed Michael Tota how to grab himself while talking and then look at Vic Dibetto’s character. It had to be the same grab in every take. The repartee with Lenny, Bill and Garry was priceless. I’d love to use their words the next time I go to my primary care physician and see how it’s received. I savored every minute of absorption.

Something else I noticed; about the crew; a special esprit de corps. They were a well-oiled machine, anticipating, performing, and functioning like the offensive backfield of a local college football team. They loved what they were doing and with whom; their director. I like to observe those elements. The body heat generated in the basement’s close quarters moved me to Main Street in Somerville for an hour until I caught up with director Tom Baldinger just before lunch.

I mentioned to Tom that I have a relatively undiscerning eye when it comes to matters of film making but I’m a HUGE movie fan going to back to 1939 vintage. Tom was engaging and thrilled to be chatting. Once I flipped on my reporter’s recorder, he started. “For me it’s very important that what’s said-dialogue is not just dialogue-there’s a purpose to why people say certain things. That’s why when I write my scripts, I try to be very careful with the words that are said. I try to make sure that the voices are separate from each other-that the characters are separate.  There is a voice in each one of them. When you are on set, everything has to have a place because I’ve seen tons of movies-big budget films; sometimes the detail is not there. For me there are a lot of people watching movies who will not like a movie because there is something wrong-a missing detail-or if dialogue doesn’t match up correctly-or characters not really synching together. That’s very important to me.”

I mentioned, “Translates down to your crew. I was watching them measure grape juice in a glass to make sure it was exact level.”  “It’s all about continuity. How many times have you seen a movie where the glass is half-full and in the next shot- it’s the same conversation- the glass is either empty or not there. I was watching a movie last night-‘Mission Impossible 3’ and saw where all the extras were and I have to give a lot of credit to J.J. Abrams. A lot of time you’ll see movies with extras. They are in the shot then they are not there. My crew; I have to be honest with you. The meticulous and tight atmosphere really comes from them because I think they see me as a visionary. I’ve built this and I’m not trying to sound egotistical but I’ve built this company and in some ways they look at me as their leader and so they are on the ride. They want-they feel this is going to be successful. They want to be on the same boat. I’ve always set goals and reached my goals. I think that’s why everybody on this crew wants to do everything perfectly because they want to take this next step into this industry.”

Taking it further I added, “I’ve watched a melding of you all there.” Tom said, “Yes.” “I was so impressed with the detail. When Michael comes over to Garry at the table, you tell him exactly what to grab and do.”  Tom added, “Yes, when we shoot the reverse, we need to see him grab himself and that action-when we’re in post, you see Vic’s reaction. It makes my editor’s job so much easier. And when you are sitting around the post, you are not saying we forgot that or look at that.”

The night before I heard interesting news about Apple and the film business; “Your work as an Indie film maker has an interesting future. Apple announced yesterday it may give money to Indies.” “I hope so. I heard a little about that. I work on Wall Street and I’ve been out of work mode for the last week or two. My father who actually works for Bloomberg said you have to check this out. When I get a moment, I’ll read about it; very interesting.”

I thought Apple wants to do what Netflix is doing. Tom was quick to comment. “That is where the market seems to be going; where the industry is going and I’m going to quote a famous actor hearing him talk about Indie films. Alec Baldwin was on Howard Stern show a few weeks ago. He was talking about how film has changed over past 20 or 30 years; that now big budget movies are all technical, special effects, CGI. Not that the big budget films don’t get into the story or content but they are more Marvel and super heroes. I love those movies and I’m there with the popcorn, but the Indie industry-that’s where you get down into characters, stories and dialogues and really get into it. What the Indie film industry has done-it has born the writer-director and sometimes that’s good-sometimes bad because studios say we only have $250,000 to spend. We can’t spend another $100,000 for a director, so let’s make the writer the director. That’s a bad choice but when you have a good script and a good writer who can be a director, studios need to take that into consideration. Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime-all that stuff; it’s really starting to blow up. Quite frankly, ‘House of Cards;’ I said to my wife last year that they don’t have to win an Emmy; just be being nominated, Netflix was doing cartwheels down the hallway because they knew all of a sudden they got something and now everybody else is trying to do it.”

I asked Tom about quality. “Quality is better. I mean we’re shooting with a red camera where some of those shows you see with bigger name people are shooting with the same equipment. We’re trying to bring high quality products with lower budgets and eventually, hopefully somebody like Apple will say I like your product and I want to put more money into it and give us an opportunity to do even more.”

Tom smiled, took a deep inhalation and was ready to go on talking. It was I who suggested that he eat lunch but that down the road a spell, he should come on NJ Discover Live Radio/TV show with the cast and Laura Madsen and continue our chat. After a firm hand-shake cementing the deal and a photo-op of course, I was on the road again, heading to Yurcak Field on Rutgers campus with NJ Discover broadcasting the television coverage of the Skye Blue FC Professional Women’s Soccer match against Kansas City. A bunch of questions suddenly popped into consciousness on Route 287 to ask Tom and the cast. It would wait until October 5th for NJ Discover’s Live Show with them. We move fast here in Central Jersey.

SPOTLIGHT: ON THE NEW JERSEY SET OF FILMING “WHO’S JENNA…?”   AND A CONVERSATION WITH DIRECTOR TOM BALDINGER   bY  Calvin Schwartz    September 9^th 2015

Hooray for social media, networking and circles of commonality. For the last several years, Laura Madsen, publicist and innovative writer/blogger at  http://www.theladyinredblog.com/  and I have travelled in similar circles of commonality( as I call it). Our energies and passions emanate from Jersey life and the arts. If you’ve read my musings over the past few years, I’ve postulated that Jersey has become the pop culture capital of America and Laura is always at the epicenter. For verification of the postulate, just look at ‘The Soprano’s’, ‘Boardwalk Empire’, “Jersey Boy’s’, ‘Jersey Shore’, ‘Jersey Housewives’, ‘Garden State’, and ‘Jersey Girl’.  Laura and I never had the opportunity for the sharing of notes and synchronicities; we never met formally.

A few weeks ago, Laura contacted me via Facebook and asked if I’d like to cover the filming of a feature film, “Who’s Jenna…..?” which is a comedy  written by award winning producer, director Tom Baldinger from 624 Productions, LLC, a New Jersey based company. Laura hinted that the film title had something to do with an adult film star but that’s all she said. My response to her was immediate and decisive; “I’d love to hang around the set and do some absorbing and interviewing for NJ Discover.”

The next decision for me was where to surface for the best absorption opportunity. The filming was taking place at the Lakewood Country Club for an on-location golf scene or the following day at Verve Restaurant in Somerville.  I surmised that it’s best not to hang around a hot golf course as Jersey was in a heat wave, so I opted for the cool basement confines of Verve for the shooting of a dinner scene. And I’d get a chance to hang a bit with actor Garry Pastore; I’ve been a fan for years.

Time constraints of being on set and getting a few minutes to chat (at the break) with director Tom Baldinger made me formulate a direction I wanted to take with this coverage. I’m quick to admit that my experience of being on sets is somewhat limited although I was on set back in the 90’s with Meryl Streep, William Hurt and Renee Zellweger and wound up in the Christmas scene in ‘One True Thing.’ My focus for “Who’s Jenna….?”  was the art of detail and precision in the film making process.

Laura’s phone messaging last  Wednesday morning got me to Verve’s rear parking lot(on foot), through a rear kitchen door, down a steep stairway, through a narrow hallway to a basement dining room, filled with tables and patrons (all actors).  I never asked if this was an active part of the restaurant or just the basement set for a very funny scene. Seated at a large table, with cameras aimed, were actors Garry Pastore, Lenny Venito, Vic Dibitetto (also a very funny comedian whom I saw recently at Count Basie Theater at a Frank Sinatra Birthday Party), and Bill Sorvino, playing the lead role of Jonathan Burke. Next, Laura introduced me to the film director, Tom Baldinger; first and lasting impressions were that of an affable, intense, creative, focused force in the universe. It’s funny how fast you can “size” people. Waiters started bringing steaming plates of pasta, meat balls, chicken and foot long sausage in front of the seated actors; it was 10 AM.  Someone yelled, “Get the Dunkin Donuts coffee cup off the table.” Actor Michael Tota introduced himself. He and I have been part of central Jersey concentric circles; we never met live, but knew of each other.

Readers can go to the film website for more plot/story information. http://www.624-productions.com/#!whos-jenna/c6h0n

The basement area was relatively small; an additional eight tables or so had ‘diners’ (actors) to make for a perfectly realistic restaurant set; the table next had a woman and a young girl in the scene being filmed. The small room size and 90 degree outdoor heat made the set challenging.  I watched the crew fill the four actors’ wine glasses half-way with grape juice.  The wine glasses would be an interesting focus for me; the exact level of the juice in the glass was maintained for the next 94 minutes (multiple takes) that I watched from the rear side behind the cameras where Laura and I were positioned. As they were ready to shoot the scene, I heard “Quiet on the set.”  I smiled. This was real.

I won’t give much away but the scene was hysterically funny as the four actors ate (pretended to eat as the sausage maintained its great length throughout), drank, conversed and laughed. I love watching eyes of the actors moving from person to person; just that small detail embraced me. Watching my friend Garry Pastore talk/act/move his eyes/laugh and then greet Michael Tota’s character when he walked over was  perfectly real. There was a poignant albeit funny story going on.  Director Tom Baldinger meticulously instructed Michael Tota how to grab himself while talking and then look at Vic Dibitetto’s character. It had to be the same grab in every take. The repartee with Lenny, Bill and Garry was priceless. I’d love to use their words the next time I go to my primary care physician and see how it’s received. I savored every minute of absorption.

Something else I noticed; about the crew; a special esprit de corps. They were a well-oiled machine, anticipating, performing, and functioning like the offensive backfield of a local college football team. They loved what they were doing and with whom; their director. I like to observe those elements. The body heat generated in the basement’s close quarters moved me to Main Street in Somerville for an hour until I caught up with director Tom Baldinger just before lunch.

I told Tom that I have a relatively undiscerning eye when it comes to matters of film making but I’m a HUGE movie fan going to back to 1939 vintage. Tom was engaging and thrilled to be chatting. Once I flipped on my reporter’s recorder, he started. “For me it’s very important that what’s said-dialogue is not just dialogue-there’s a purpose to why people say certain things. That’s why when I write my scripts, I try to be very careful with the words that are said. I try to make sure that the voices are separate from each other-that the characters are separate.  There is a voice in each one of them. When you are on set, everything has to have a place because I’ve seen tons of movies-big budget films; sometimes the detail is not there. For me there are a lot of people watching movies who will not like a movie because there is something wrong-a missing detail-or if dialogue doesn’t match up correctly-or characters not really synching together. That’s very important to me.”

I mentioned, “Translates down to your crew. I was watching them measure grape juice in a glass to make sure it was exact level.”  “It’s all about continuity. How many times have you seen a movie where the glass is half-full and in the next shot- it’s the same conversation- the glass is either empty or not there. I was watching a movie last night-‘Mission Impossible 3’ and saw where all the extras were and I have to give a lot of credit to J.J. Abrams. A lot of time you’ll see movies with extras. They are in the shot then they are not there. My crew; I have to be honest with you. The meticulous and tight atmosphere really comes from them because I think they see me as a visionary. I’ve built this and I’m not trying to sound egotistical but I’ve built this company and in some ways they look at me as their leader and so they are on the ride. They want-they feel this is going to be successful. They want to be on the same boat. I’ve always set goals and reached my goals. I think that’s why everybody on this crew wants to do everything perfectly because they want to take this next step into this industry.”

Taking it further I added, “I’ve watched a melding of you all there.” Tom said, “Yes.” “I was so impressed with the detail. When Michael comes over to Garry at the table, you tell him exactly what to grab and do.”  Tom added, “Yes, when we shoot the reverse, we need to see him grab himself and that action-when we’re in post, you see Vic’s reaction. It makes my editor’s job so much easier. And when you are sitting around the post, you are not saying we forgot that or look at that.”

The night before I heard interesting news about Apple and the film business; “Your work as an Indie film maker has an interesting future. Apple announced yesterday it may give money to Indies.” “I hope so. I heard a little about that. I work on Wall Street and I’ve been out of work mode for the last week or two. My father who actually works for Bloomberg said you have to check this out. When I get a moment, I’ll read about it; very interesting.”

I thought Apple wants to do what Netflix is doing. Tom was quick to comment. “That is where the market seems to be going; where the industry is going and I’m going to quote a famous actor hearing him talk about Indie films. Alec Baldwin was on Howard Stern show a few weeks ago. He was talking about how film has changed over past 20 or 30 years; that now big budget movies are all technical, special effects, CGI. Not that the big budget films don’t get into the story or content but they are more Marvel and super heroes. I love those movies and I’m there with the popcorn, but the Indie industry-that’s where you get down into characters, stories and dialogues and really get into it. What the Indie film industry has done-it has born the writer-director and sometimes that’s good-sometimes bad because studios say we only have $250,000 to spend. We can’t spend another $100,000 for a director, so let’s make the writer the director. That’s a bad choice but when you have a good script and a good writer who can be a director, studios need to take that into consideration. Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime-all that stuff; it’s really starting to blow up. Quite frankly, ‘House of Cards;’ I said to my wife last year that they don’t have to win an Emmy; just being nominated, Netflix was doing cartwheels down the hallway because they knew all of a sudden they got something and now everybody else is trying to do it.”

I asked Tom about quality. “Quality is better. I mean we’re shooting with a red camera where some of those shows you see with bigger name people are shooting with the same equipment. We’re trying to bring high quality products with lower budgets and eventually, hopefully somebody like Apple will say I like your product and I want to put more money into it and give us an opportunity to do even more.”

Tom smiled, took a deep inhalation and was ready to go on talking. It was I who suggested that he eat lunch but that down the road a spell, he should come on NJ Discover Live Radio/TV show with the cast and Laura Madsen and continue our chat. After a firm hand-shake cementing the deal and a photo-op of course, I was on the road again, heading to Yurcak Field on Rutgers campus with NJ Discover broadcasting the television coverage of the Skye Blue FC Professional Women’s Soccer match against Kansas City. A bunch of questions suddenly popped into consciousness on Route 287 to ask Tom and the cast. It would wait until October 5^th for NJ Discover’s Live Show with them. We move fast here in Central Jersey.

IMDB “Who’s Jenna…..”  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4317858/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm

NJDiscover   http://www.njdiscover.com/wp1/

Calvin’s Blog:  http://www.vichywater.net/blog/

WATCH FOR OCTOBER 5^th NJDISCOVER LIVE RADIO/TV SHOW  also featured on Long Branch Cablevision Channel 20 with Director, and Cast of “Who’s Jenna………..?”

NOW ON YOU TUBE: NJ DISCOVER LIVE RADIO/TV SHOW  with special guests comedian Mike Marino (running for President)  and Super Bowl Champion Tim Wright with hosts Tara-Jean Vitale & Calvin Schwartz  7-28-15

LINK TO YOU TUBE:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFgxms5LZNk&feature=share

Yes, it was a really great show with the lightning fast funny comments from NJ Bad Boy of Comedy Mike Marino who is running for President and the introspection and insights from Tim Wright, a 3^rd year NFL player who had his Super Bowl ring prominently displayed. Both guests have Jersey shore roots. Mike              (   mikemarino.net   ) also talks about his upcoming big concert in Asbury Park at the Paramount Theater on August 15^th and Tim Wright (    www. THEWRIGHTWAY ACADEMY.ORG   )  talks about his Wright Way Academy and Friday Night Lights camp for kids teaching them athletics, academics and life and of course NFL experiences.

There’s even a monologue about bio- magnetism and integrative medicine and the institution of moving and downsizing.  It’s a very special hour.

And now we’re also pleased to announce that the show also can be seen on Long Branch Community Television Channel 20 (LBCTV20) the entire month of August.

LINK TO YOU TUBE:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFgxms5LZNk&feature=share

NJ DISCOVER LIVE RADIO SHOW with Tara-Jean Vitale & Calvin Schwartz May 18th 8 PM “LIVING TO 150”

Agreed, the theme of our show on May 18th is a little dramatic and ‘out there.’ But there is so much information, technology and practicality in the world of longevity, that we’d like to begin our own discussions. I have my pet theories, emananting from my sophomore year at Rutgers in 1965 studying pharmacology, about deciding not to age traditionally. I think being open-minded and exploring the universe and learning is part of the process of longevity. I also know we’ve got to be our own advocates for everything concerning our bodies. Our guests for this first show  were carefully considered for what they contribute to the healthful and aging process. Of course, if our show went on for 12 hours, we’d barely scratch the proverbial surface. But every journey begins with a first step. I’m always amazed (I’ll be a little cryptic now) at the depth, diversity and breadth of people pursuing the knowledge and care of our guests.    Calvin Schwartz

TUNE IN for Internet Radio Broadcast at https://youtu.be/lEz8pNUyB9g   on: MAY 18TH at 8PM

WE’RE BACK. BETTER THAN EVER. NJ DISCOVER LIVE RADIO with your hosts TaraJean Vitale and Cal Schwartz. And what better way to get off to a resounding, healthful opening night than to present our new segment “Living to 150” with very special guests, Dr. Luis Garcia, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, American Biomagnetism and Dr. Lauren Laurino,ND, affectionately known as “Dr. Ren, America’s Holistic Sweetheart” Dr. Ren is a Board Certified, Award Winning Naturopath.

TUNE IN for Internet Radio Broadcast at https://youtu.be/lEz8pNUyB9g on: MAY 18TH at 8PM

The video re-broadcast will be available on YouTube   after May 18th    https://youtu.be/lEz8pNUyB9g

For more guest info: Dr. Luis Garcia: http://www.usbiomag.com/aboutus/
Dr. Lauren Laurino: http://laurenlaurino.com/

                                        PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF BIOMAGNETISM

Biomagnetism results Dr. Luis Garcia

Patient A: Fungus on index finger for over 20 years…After having treating it with creams, oils, oral medications, etc, it never improved.  After 1 session of BIomagnetism, it disappeared.

Patient B: Excessive dryness, scaling, itchyness on right hand for over 8 months.  After 1 Biomanetism therapy and 3 weeks later, right hand returned to normality.  It was most likely a fungus issue.

Patient C: Unknown pink itchy rash slowly appeared and grew in size in this patients leg for about 3 months.  After 1 Biomagnetism therapy, 4 weeks later it disappeared and only left a slight scar on the skin.  Almost a year has past and leg remains clear of any rash.