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.
NJ AT WAR; GUARD SAYS FAREWELL TO LOVED ONES
NJ AT WAR; Goodbye ceremony for NJ Guard bound for Iraq
Nearly 2,850 from the New Jersey National Guard’s 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team bound for Iraq, received a heartfelt farewell salute at Fort Dix. Full coverage.
I have been following the Guardsmen from New Jersey National Guard’s 50th Brigade Combat Team out of the Teaneck Armory. 2,800 citizen soldiers are deploying to Fort Bliss, Texas for a summer of intense desert training before they leave for Iraq.
To learn more, see The Record's NJ at War series.
EPA Says Sludge Hill is as clean as it will get
The EPA says only small particles of Ford paint sludge remain in area commonly known as Sludge Hill, despite recent protests of the contrary by local residents. Video takes a look at the cleanup site. Read the story.
This is a story I have worked on for years, and stunningly it is still mired in mis-management, poor communication between the EPA, DEP, and the Upper Ringwood community. There is so much distrust on all sides. To learn more about the Ford sludge dumping, see The Record's award winning reporting: ToxicLegacy.com
KRAV MAGA
The Krav Maga Federation in Teaneck teaches the martial art, which is the original Israeli self-defense system, to people of all ages and abilities. Read story.
This aggressive brand of self-defense is widely practiced in Israel, and teaches students how to defend yourself in a street fight against many assailants. The training is very rigorous.
NJ AT WAR; Single Mom prepares for Iraq
Spc. Marlene Martinez of Ridgefield, NJ, a 21-year old single mother, prepares for deployment to Iraq and separation from her son, Josiah, just 5 months old. Read full story.
I have been following the Guardsmen from New Jersey National Guard’s 50th Brigade Combat Team out of the Teaneck Armory. 2,800 citizen soldiers are deploying to Fort Bliss, Texas for a summer of intense desert training before they leave for Iraq.
NJ AT WAR; Capt James Egan
Captain James Egan is only 29, but already he has seen combat in Iraq. Now he'll be going back as a National Guard captain. Egan has moved back home with his parents in Glen Rock, NJ, as prepares for deployment to Iraq. Read full story.
I have been following the Guardsmen from New Jersey National Guard’s 50th Brigade Combat Team out of the Teaneck Armory. 2,800 citizen soldiers are deploying to Fort Bliss, Texas for a summer of intense desert training before they leave for Iraq.
Madagascar comes to the Bronx Zoo
The Wildlife Conservation Society unveiled Madagascar, a new exhibit at the Bronx Zoo inside the restored historic Lion House. Lemurs, crocodiles, dambas and cockroaches hailing from Madagascar are among the newest residents at the Bronx Zoo. It is the first "green certified" NYC's first renovated landmark building. Read story.
The Bergen County Weights & Measures Task Force is conducting random inspections of gas stations through Memorial day in an effort to ensure motorists aren’t cheated. They recommend that motorist's get out of the car and watch "the sale," as well as double check that the price at the pump matches the street sign.
Gas prices this month have reached the $4.00 per gallon mark. Ouch.
Bears Go Wild
Two orphan bears from the Woodlands Wildlife Refuge were returned to the wild by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. This video shows the bears being tranquilized, documented, then transported to an undisclosed location where
they were born. Read the story in The Record.
They were returned to region were they were born, watch them stagger from the transport cage into the woods. Look at the size of them, and they are mere cubs...
BILL GOES BANANAS FOR GILDA'S
Ervolino gets laughs for Gilda's Club
Record columnist Bill Ervolino was at the Laugh-Off at Bananas in Hasbrouck Heights, a fund raiser for Gilda’s Club of Northern NJ.
Cub Caught
A 125-pound black bear was tranquilized and captured on a tiny Passaic River island in Paterson -the third largest city in New Jersey. Although bears often get lost in suburban towns during the spring mating season -when cubs are sent away by their mothers, to see one in the city of Paterson is highly unusual. This bear made his way onto a tiny island in the Passaic River, where he was tranquilized and caught by the city's animal control then turned over to Fish & Wildlife for a release at a later time.
NJ AT WAR; A wedding, then off to war
NJ Guardsmen Carmen Villegas and Victor Hernandez were married today in a civil ceremony at the Nutley Boro Hall, just weeks before Villegas' deployment to Texas for training before shipping off to Iraq.
Villegas serves in the same unit as her son, Filipe Diaz, also deploying to Iraq. This is perhaps the first time ever a mother and son have deployed together -in the same unit.
The couple will be separated for nearly two years, as they will not be deploying at the same time. He is with a different company that deploys in December. She leaves in June.
To learn more, see The Record's NJ at War series.
Sorenstam announces she will retire
Annika Sorenstam announced today at the Sybase Classic at Upper Montclair CC, that she will retire from the LPGA Tour at the end of the year.
Sorentsam was matter-a-fact in her announcement. No Brett Favre sobbing act here, although she did reference his announcement saying she wanted to go out on top like Favre. Annika explained that she wanted to start a family and settle down. Here's what she had to say.
NJ at WAR; A MOTHER'S LAMENT
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.
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...
