Amina and Mariam Kure of Teaneck will deploy to Iraq with the National Guard for their second tour of combat duty this summer. Inseparable since birth, the 25-year old twins will be sent their own ways for the first time in their young lives. Their mother, Libaba,is not happy and wants to know why her twins can't be given the same status as married couples. The Guard has allowed spouses to live together.
Kure has asked that her girls be allowed to stay together, but the National Guard has yet to respond. They deploy in mid-June.
To learn more, see The Record's NJ at War series.
NJ at WAR; A MOTHER'S LAMENT
Imam faces deportation
Imam Mohammad Qatanani, the prominent Paterson-based Islamic leader, talks about his upcoming deportation charges.
NJ at WAR; Training for Iraq
I spent some time recently with New Jersey National Guardsmen training for an upcoming deployment to Iraq slated for this summer -the largest deployment of NJ National Guardsmen since WWII.
For many of these part-time soldiers, this is the second or third deployment, and many are past the typical age of a soldier, giving the whole operation the feel of the place like a bunch of weekend warriors. However, I saw plenty of camaraderie and dedication.
The training camp is a three week session, before they head to Texas for more intense training this summer. Here's a look at a typical day of training at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA. They call the place FIG.
HALLS OF FAME -August 23, 1966
THE BEATLES AT SHEA
Introduced by Ed Sullivan, the Beatles play their first major outdoor stadium concert, selling what was then a box office record $304,000 in tickets. The band plays on a stage at second base, as uniformed police lined the basepaths. But the 55,000 screaming fans hardly heard the 30-minute set of a dozen songs.
The Beatles played a second show on Aug. 23, 1966. In following years, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, the Who, The Clash, The Police, Simon & Garfunkel, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix also performed there.
Record editor Barbara Jaeger and her childhood friend Gerry Noble talk about being at the famous concert.
To see more, visit The Record's multimedia project, Halls of Fame .
HALLS OF FAME -April 15, 1976
NEW YANKEE STADIUM
Remodeled Yankee Stadium reopens with the Yanks beating the Minnesota Twins, 11-4, ushering in a new era of Yankee baseball tradition.
Retired Record reporter Bob Kurland talks about his days as the Yankees beat writer in the Bronx.
To see more, visit The Record's multimedia project, Halls of Fame .
HALLS OF FAME -April 17, 1964
SHEA STADIUM OPENS
Shea Stadium opens with a crowd of more than 48,000 fans, but the Mets lose 4-3 to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Record reporter Jay Levin talks about growing up as a Mets fan in Queens.
To see more, visit The Record's multimedia project, Halls of Fame .
KENNEDY TOURS FORD CLEANUP SITE
Environmental attorney Robert Kennedy, Jr. toured the 'Toxic Legacy' site in Upper Ringwood on Monday.Read column by The Record's Lawrence Aaron.
Star power and political muscle were on display Monday as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and federal legislators toured Ford's toxic waste dump in Upper Ringwood and promised stepped-up pressure on behalf of nearby residents. story in The Record by Barbara Williams and Jan Barry.
POST-KATRINA
Recently, I spent time down in New Orleans at the Platypus video workshop, and shot this post-Katrina video of St. Bernard Parish -one of the hardest hit area's in New Orleans. Kelly Jordan, a multimedia editor of the Jacksonville Times-Union, was my producer. She helped me great deal in telling this story.
This is a story of a housing, economic, and humanity crisis of dire proportions -in post-Katrina New Orleans.
Much of downtown New Orleans looks like I remembered it. Bourbon Street is still loud and ripe, the Super Dome has been restored, and jazz can be heard echoing throughout the French Quarter. But much of the city remains wounded.
My first visit to the Big Easy was back in my college days, when on a summer-long cross-country trip with my old bud Jeff Pearlman, we rolled into the Big Easy late one Friday night, cruising into town in my old Cutlass Supreme looking for some action. We found it. We partied for days; had a Hurricane at Pat O'Brien's, sampled some authentic Cajun cooking at Dookie Chase, and spent our nights sleeping in a Tulane dorm lounge for free. The city was electric, so exotic and rich to kid who hadn't seen much beyond the Hudson River. Those were good times and fond memories. That's the New Orleans I remember. Unfortunately, things have changed.
Much of the city and its outer parishes remain in shambles, the fallout from a storm so mean its wrath can still be felt three years later. We saw neighborhoods blown apart as if a nuclear bomb went off. Yes, the flood waters receded long ago, but its devastation remains present in so many corners of this city. We saw parishes that remain decimated, communities destroyed beyond repair. We heard stories so sad, our eyes welled with tears.
In producing this video we met many warm people who's grace and resilience, in the face of unspeakable loss, was astounding. Yet, as I left New Orleans it was with a heavy heart. I still cannot shake the images of all the abandoned homes and empty streets. Things look bleak.
The flood waters of Katrina took nearly 15,000 lives, and I couldn't help but feel that the soul of the city was swept away with it. Take a look.
Dorothy Parker -Grande Dame of the Algonquin Round Table
Dorothy Parker's reputation endures as one of the founding wits of the Algonquin Round Table, the president of the Dorothy Parker Society gives insight.
Read story by The Record's Lawrence Aaron.
BIG BLUE HEAVEN
For those of of you who want to relive the Giants magical Super Bowl XLII defeat of the Evil Empire, take a look at this video featuring still photos taken by my colleague Tyson Trish and myself.
It was the single most exciting and rewarding game I have every shot. And for me personally, now that I am shooting video full-time, it was extra special to be out there with a digital SLR and shooting photographs -my true passion.
What can I say....to be out there mixing it up with the big fellas on the field after the game, making pictures in the midst of the mayhem and hoopla, was awesome -a feeling that will stay fresh in my mind for a long,long time...
BILL AT THE BOWL-Searching for Giants Fans
Bill Ervolino, the humor columnist for The Record, went on an evening prowl through Scottsdale in search for Giants fans, on the eve of Super Bowl XLII. However, Patriots fans out-numbered like 100 to 1, it was ridiculous. Check out Bill's moves in the Big Fat Greek Super Bowl scene... priceless.
BILL AT THE BOWL-Bill's Room
Bill Ervolino, humor columnist for The Record, gives a tour of his posh hotel room. Anyone who reads Bill's column would know about his rant about Green Bay and the dearth of luxury accommodations. Phoenix was better, aside from the 40 degree temps...
SUPER BOWL XLII -Media Blitz
Last media session before the big game. Worked with the ubiquitous Paul Dottino on this video, who was reporting for The Record as well as ESPN radio. Nobody does the Giants like the dude.
SUPER BOWL XLII -Players Reverse Roles
Giants players Chase Blackburn and Gerris Wilkinson play reporter in this video, during the Giants final media session before Sunday's game. To break the monotony of the media frenzy, Paul Dottino and I were looking for a different take and asked these two seldom used players to run with it for awhile, so to speak. Not exactly text book reporting here, but interesting none-the-less. It's cool to see athletes let their guard down and have some fun.
BILL AT THE BOWL-The Grand Wheel
Bill Ervolino, humor columnist for The Record, at the NFL theme-park outside Phoenix University Stadium.
BILL AT THE BOWL-Ervolino at Media Day
Bill Ervolino is a humor columnist for The Record. Here's his take on Super Bowl XLII's Media Day...
Living in IKEA
Comedian & writer Mark Malkoff set out to live in the Paramus IKEA store for a week to make a web video.
ELVIS CHRISTMAS HOUSE
MAHWAH, NJ 12/23/07 ELVIS CHRISTMAS HOUSE
The Elvis Christmas House on Victoria Lane in Mahwah, is a well known Christmas season attraction. Perhaps the most visited Christmas lights display in North Jersey each year.
During Christmas week, droves of visitors drive by the house known affectionately as The Elvis Christmas House, which features a young Elvis dancing on the roof. The elaborate display is courtesy of home owner Tony Destro, Elvis performer extraordinaire.
Lines of cars move slowly past acres of lights, life-sized figures, and Christmas ornaments, to the gentle sounds of Christmas music. There's even a lake encircled by lights, with a Statue of Liberty replica on an island in the center.
This is an impressive a Christmas display by any measure. Breathtaking. It's worth the trip.
Christmas Cheer(leading) from the Franklin's
A little Holiday Season humor, give it a few seconds to load. Great web animation, and a cinch to create. I thank my neice Sarah and OfficeMax for making this available for free. Very cool...
Our Lady of Guadalupe
December 12th is the annual celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe -the Virgin Mother and patroness of Mexico. Each year, the Holy Trinity church in Passaic hosts a nearly week-long celebration, which includes a religious procession of thousands of native Mexicanos and Latinos marching through the streets of Passaic with all things Guadalupe. Here's a look at the procession last Sunday.
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