It was a dismal affair for Gang-Green, in a sloppy and soggy defeat to Jay Cutler and the Broncos. Denver took a 27-14 lead into halftime, scoring 14 points off two Jets turnovers. Denver's win snapped New York's five-game winning streak. It was as cold and nasty a night as I could remember, lousy conditions to shoot in.
Photos by Thomas E. Franklin / The Record
DENVER RAINS ON JETS 34-17
PARK OR LANDFILL?
Overpeck Park nears completion
Construction on a three-year plan to convert old landfills and swamps into recreational areas at the 120-acre county park is wrapping up.
ELECTION DAY
ELECTION DAY 2008
North Jersey voters and politicians get an early jump beating the polling traffic.
This video was a team effort. I coordinated our coverage, and video was shot by photographers Carmine Galasso, Tariq Zehawi, Liz Lara, web producer Kim Mineo, and reporter Mike Feeney.
The MEANING OF OBAMA'S CANDIDACY
I interviewed dozen's of subjects for this pre-Election Day video commentary on the meaning of Barack Obama's candidacy for the office of President of the United States. I tried to interview as many thoughtful and insightful people I could, and mix together their comments. This is a sound-bite driven piece, with very little B-Roll. Each subject was asked the same question: "As an African-American, what does Barack Obama's candidacy mean to you?"
The JOKER
Local make-up artist Jeremy Selenfriend, of Emerson's A Monster in My Closet, makes up Chris Mann as Batman's The Joker for Halloween.
EMERGENCY ROOM REOPENS
Hackensack University Medical Center reopened for business the ER at Pascack Valley Hospital in Westwood, 10 months after hospital went bankrupt and closed. The HUMC staff and community excitedly opened their doors at 9am today. Read full story by The Record's Lindy Washburn.
JAZZ LEGEND WARREN BATTISTE
Legendary New Orleans jazz guitarist Warren Battiste has been living in Dumont ever since he fled New Orleans in the wake of Katrina. He is a well-known recording artist and will appear in an upcoming movie about Chess Records. Read the full story by The Record's Jim Beckerman.
I spent a few hours with Mr. Battiste in his tiny apartment in Dumont, a man as soft-spoken as his soothing guitar strumming. Having visited New Orleans a few months ago, we had much to talk about. He told me his harrowing tale of survival during Katrina, and his fending for himself after he made the fateful decision to ride out the storm by playing a Hurricane-gig at a downtown club. When the gig was over, and he realized he needed to get out of town as the storm approached, it was too late. Remarkable, he perservered.
NETS MEDIA DAY
The New Jersey Nets introduced a new team that features many new faces, and a roster of young talent. Today was their annual media day. Yes, they still have Vince Carter, but not much else other than some young unproven players. It should be an interesting season. Read The Record's Al Iannazzone's blog In the Zzone.
ELI GETS WAXED
Bet you didn't know Eli Manning and I have at least three things in common. For one, we both have two brothers, albeit his older brother plays QB a little better than mine -but not much better. Secondly, we were both ran around on the field at University of Phoenix Stadium moments after the Giants trounced the Evil Empire in Super Bowl XLII. OK, he had a little more do with that than me, but I sure made some nice pics of it all. Even got a splash of Tom Coughlin's GaterAid bath on my sleeve.
And lastly, now we both have a wax statue at MadameTussauds in Mid-Town.
Here is a YouTube video someone sent to me. I've never seen it, or been inside. Wax people make me nervous.
REMEMBERING 9/11
This week marks the 7th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York. Hard to believe. To commemorate this important date, I put together some words and pictures that tell the story of my experiences covering the tragic events that day. Working on this piece and reviewing all my raw images from that day, brought back a rush of memories and emotions.
Many of the photos in this multimedia project have never been published before, and it was interesting to match the images to the words I wrote for the audio. To see it come together as a narrative was satisfying, despite the somber and devastating subject matter.
The Record published my story.
The Record's website NorthJersey.com did a 9/11 Anniversary live blog today, a comprehensive running report on today's commemorative events.
FIRE SPRINKLERS SAVE LIVES
The NJ Division of Consumer Affairs will decide whether to require older high-rise apartment buildings to install sprinkler systems for fire safety. The Division of Consumer Affairs has until Sept. 17 to approve or reject the proposed regulations, which are being pushed both by fire departments across the state and the fire sprinkler industry. But rental apartment building owners, and individual apartment owners, have complained that the cost of doing so is too high. Read Joe Ax's story in The Record.
Today, fire officials and sprinkler industry rep's used a side-by-side fiery demonstration to show the effectiveness of sprinklers.
FOOTBALL TRAGEDY
In one-week's time, two Bergen County teens died playing football, while another was seriously injured. Sean Fisher of Waldwick died suddenly during football practice running drills on a mild summer night. It was his 13th birthday. His mom was at home baking cupcakes when she got the call.
James and Shelia Fisher lost their only son due to an undetected heart condition. On Friday I covered the Sean's funeral. Sean is my son's name, and he too is an only child.
This is NOT an assignment I enjoy doing. Every news photographer I know hates having to cover funerals for obvious reasons. They are uneasy, somber, and delicate assignments. But I tell myself that this boy's life had meaning, hundreds turned out to pay respects to the young man, and by covering the funeral I am in a way paying my respects, as much as I detest being there. Here is link to video shot by my colleague Kim Mineo.
BARCLAYS COMES TO RIDGEWOOD
I spent a very busy 6 days at the Ridgewood Country Club blogging live throughout the week at The Barclays golf tournament -the first round of the FedEx Cup playoffs. Check -out the live blog. I was posting updates throughout each day of the tourny, receiving live reports from Record reporters Andy Vasquez, Greg Mattura, Steve Adamek, and Tyson Trish.
I also posted videos and photo gallery's by Tyson and myself.
FINAL ROUND: Singh wins
Vijay Singh wins The Barclays, defeating Sergio Garcia on the 2nd playoff hole.
See photo gallery.
ROUND 3
Third round action at The Barclays at the Ridgewood Country Club.
Kevin Streelman soars to the top of the leader board.
See photo gallery.
See Kevin Streelman video.
ROUND 2
Last year's Barclays champion Steve Stricker takes the lead during 2nd round action at Ridgewood.
See photo gallery.
See Steve Stricker video.
ROUND 1
Little-known Hunter Mahan shoots an electrifying 62 during the opening round.
See photo gallery.
See Hunter Mahan video.
PRACTICE ROUND / PRO-AM
PGA players tee-off n the Barclays Pro-Am, the last day of practice before the start of the tour event.
See photo gallery.
See Phil Mickelson video.
TUESDAY PRACTICE ROUND
PGA players get ready for the Barclays at the Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus.
See photo gallery.
See Padraig Harrington video.
FUNERAL FOR A FALLEN FIREFIGHTER
Mahwah firefighter Michael Drozd, a piper with the Bergen County Firefighters Pipe Band, was laid to rest today. Last week, I posted an entry and video on this blog after he was killed in an automobile accident shortly after performing at a fundraiser for John McCain in Teaneck, which I covered. In a strange but sad coincidence, I taped the Drozd's band warming up that night, see earlier posts.
Today, there was a funeral mass and burial at the Mahwah Cemetery, hundreds of firemen from Mahwah and many of the neighboring towns lined the street between the church and cemetery. It was an honorable send off, albeit a sad and senseless loss. See full story in The Record.
WAITING FOR McCAIN
Republican presidential candidate John McCain made his 6th visit to Jersey, attending a private fund-raiser at the Marriott at Glenpoint in Teaneck.$1,000 got you in the door, $25,ooo got you a photo with the Arizona Senator. Four hours of waiting got me nada. Not even a glimpse. I ended up using tow shots by my colleague Tyson Trish, who photographed McCain exiting a plane at the airport. McCain ducked the cameras and reporters. Protesters lined the curb, and bagpipers played outside the door waiting for the candidate to arrive -nearly two hours behind schedule.
Sadly, Michael Drozd of the Bergen County Firefighters Pipe Band, the very band I video taped warming up outside the hotel, was killed later that night in a car crash on route 4 hours after performing at the fund raiser. The group has a strong cult-like following, known for playing pop hits such as "Louie Louie" and "Tequila."
PGA TOUR COMES TO RIDGEWOOD CC
The PGA Tour comes to the Ridgewood Country Club August 19-24, and the course has undergone some subtle changes in preparation for The Barclays. Club pro David Reasoner takes us on a tour of the prestigious RCC pointing out some of the changes the club has made in attempt to Tiger-proof the course.
DANGERS OF ARTIFICIAL TURF
For months now, several athletic fields in North Jersey with artificial turf have been closed because of high lead levels. Test have been conducted, questions have been raised, but no one really knows how serious the danger is. Crazy to think that kids are rolling around on lead particles, its' not exactly a new finding that lead is dangerous to kids...
Many of the fields will likely reopen in the coming weeks now that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has concluded the turf poses no health risk. In this video we talked some parents and coaches -read story by Matt Van Dusen, about how they felt about their Little Leagues playing on the artificial turf.
PEQUANNOCK LOSES TITLE GAME
The Pequannock Little League got trounced, 14-3, in the state championship game by Bordentown. They simply didn't play well, and were stunned by the 9 runs and 5 home runs BT put up in the 3rd inning. They never got it going. Here's a look.
UMPS MAKE CONTROVERSIAL CALL
The Pequannock Little Leaguer's I've been following lost 5-4 to Bordentown -read Tim Leonard's game story that was ultimately decided on a close play at home plate. With the scored tied at 3-3 in the 4th, a Bordentown runner leaped over the tag of the catcher on a bang-bang play at the plate. In my video you can see what appears to be a slight brush off the leg by the catcher, but it's really too close to call. The ump called the runner safe -despite Pequannock's manager Dan Leva's protest.
PQ tied it back up at 4-4 on Anthony Scillieri's 2nd dinger of the night, but then Bordentown went ahead again on a home run in the 5th. It was a great game, very closely played.
The two teams will play for the state title on Tuesday night.
BOYS OF SUMMER
TALE OF TWO LITTLE LEAGUE TEAMS
Pequannock and North Bergen South have made the New Jersey Little League state finals and play this week in a four team round-robin. Over 300 teams competed this year in NJ, in hopes of reaching Williamsport -the international Little League Championship round played in Pennsylvania.
Both teams are gearing up; Pequannock Little League has dedicated their season to a stricken teammate, and North Bergen South has beaten the odds all year. These two videos take a look at two special teams. Pay particular attention to the big surprise in the North Bergen piece -very funny...
North Bergen South Little League
Pequannock Little League
BECKHAM RETURNS
Soccer star David Beckham prepared with his team the Galaxy for Saturday's game against the Red Bulls -which ended in a 2-2 tie. Could hardly understand a word the guy said, yet he had sick tattoo's and gave us a good show in a light workout at Giants Stadium.
And yes, he did takes his shirt off.
TEANECK HOUSE EXPLOSION
A massive gas explosion in Teaneck flattened a home at 1320 Hastings Street and left one man dead. See dramatic video of firemen battling the blaze.
BTW, shot this video very quickly, using the Canon S5-1S. This is a terrific little digital point-n-shoot that captures great video. It's good for stills as well. This was a quick edit as well.
Here is time-line:
6:15pm explosion occurred
6:30 received work of a working fire
6:35 received word that house exploded, ran to my car ASAP
6:50 saw huge plume of smoke as I drove the 3 mile route from The Record
7:00 parked my car a ran through the yard of neighboring house, dodging police
7:00-7:30 shot video for neighboring yards, and behind police tape
7:30 left the scene, raced back to The Record to edit
8:30 had rough edit video posted on www.northjersey.com
9:30 had photo gallery of pictures shot by Leslie Barbaro, Michale Karas, and myself
next morning re-edited more complete video
The GREENBROOK SANCTUARY on the PIP
Naturalist Nancy Slowik leads a tour of the little-known Greenbrook Sanctuary atop the Palisades. Greenbrook is a 165-acre gated nature preserve within the Palisades Interstate Park, high above the Hudson River.
Read the story by Evonne Coutros.
With its breath-taking views of the the river and NY, scenic pond and bog, and endless hiking trails, it's a nature lover's paradise -especially in a this economic climate where more people are staying close to home for vacation. Take a look.
ELIZABETH'S WEDDING DAY
Elizabeth Brown, my wife's cousin, was married on July 4th at a wonderful backyard ceremony and reception at her parents home near Allentown, PA. What a great wedding!
I used this spectacular affair to test drive the video capture on a new digital point-n-shoot camera, the Canon S5IS. The Powershot gets a big thumbs-up, and did a great job of not only capturing great video but the audio was remarkably good, especially considering all the competing sound; music, dinner clatter, talking, etc.
I didn't shoot very much, as I try not to work when I'm a guest, but I couldn't help myself.
Here's a video short from the wedding.
Congrats Elizabeth and David, here's to a lifetime of happiness and good fortune.
NJ AT WAR; GUARD SAYS FAREWELL TO LOVED ONES
NJ National Guard soldiers from Teaneck bid a sad farewell to loved ones at the Teaneck Armory before loading onto buses at dawn to catch a flight to Fort Bliss, Tx. They'll spend the next 2+ months in the New Mexico desert before shipping off to Iraq.
This was one of the saddest and emotional events I've covered, seeing so many young families separated, including young single mothers, saying good-bye to loved ones at dawn at the Armory. For most, this will be the last time they will see their loved one for at least a year.
Tore out my heart.
Video chronicles the last 10 hours, from midnight through the following morning, where they departed on a jumbo-jet from McGuire Airforce Base. This very well might be my best video yet. Shot a lot of tape on this one.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
