TAKING IT TO THE STREETS

Moments ago, Westwood Mayor John Birkner delivered a fiery speech on the doorsteps of the borough hall to a group or residents ready to march on the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood.

They're protesting Valley's bid on the hospital liscence of bankrupt Pascack Valley Hospital (PVH) in an attempt to terminate that license. Competitor Hackensack University Medical Center purchased the PVH site and is attempting to open a full service 128-bed facilty there.

But the march will not make it to it's destination. The Village of Ridgewood retained special legal council and advised any and all protesters will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

WHile Birkner said this was clearly a violation of First Ammendement Constitutional rights, he will heed the laws of the Village.

The March will go to the border of Ridgewood and the Township of Washington before stopping.

About 50 people joined in the march which is currently underway. More to follow.
(Preparing for their peacful walk in Protest of Valley Hospital, three Mayors lead the charge. Second from left to right: Township of Washington acting Mayor of Charles Devine, Emerson Mayor Louis Lamatina and Westwood Mayor John Birkner.)

Breaking News -Township of Washington NY

MAYOR STEPS DOWN -

Apparently as of 4 p.m. on Friday, May 1, Township of Washington Mayor Rudolph Wenzel, the man who has held that post for the last 28-years, has resigned.

Councilman Charles Devine has been appointed acting mayor.

May 1st

Another week in the books, this post is to share some highlights of my work from this week.

The following appears courtesy of the Press Group, publishers of the "Pascack Press" and the "Northern Valley Press."

Two extremely different topics...NFL Draft: two local first round picks and full figured supermodel Emme's lecture to local students in Closter.



P.S. If you want to see great reggae music tonight hit me up on TWITTER!


"Two native sons of Pascack Valley heading to NFL"

The Pascack Valley saw two native sons recognized as the best of the best among the nation’s college football talent when Township of Washington’s B.J. Raji and Park Ridge’s Brian Cushing were selected in the first round of the National Football League’s (NFL) amateur draft on April 25.

Both Raji and Cushing now sit on the precipice of million dollar fortunes and national stardom after being drafted ninth and 16th overall respectively.

The Green Bay Packers tapped Raji to be the anchor of their defensive front after the 6-foot-1 337 lbs. interior defensive lineman was a stand out at Boston College. He graduated from Westwood Regional High School in 2003.

(B.J. Raji rushing the QB for during game action with Boston College.)

Cushing, a Linebacker who played his college ball at the University of Southern California, will now join the Houston Texans in 2009, five years after leading Bergen Catholic to the 2004 New Jersey Group IV State Championship.


(Cushing poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after he was selected 16th overall at Radio City Music Hall.)


Both will benefit from being selected in 2009 because the current collective bargaining agreement that governs the labor relations between the NFL and its players’ association is expiring. The current agreement ensures that top draft picks receive lucrative salaries.

Generally salaries are reflective of what was given to the draft pick of the same number from the prior year. The Last year’s ninth overall pick, Cincinnati Bengals’ linebacker Keith Rivers, eventually signed a six-year contract worth nearly $20 million if certain performance incentives are met. Last year’s 16th pick, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, signed a five-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals at $15.1 million with $9 million in guarantees.

Both players have had to deal with adversity on their way to earning the prestige of first rounders. Raji was declared academically ineligible prior to the start of what would have been his senior season in 2007 and spent the year off the field. He was also subject of a difficult juxtaposition when a pair of media outlets, SportsIllustrated.com and NFLDraftBible.com, reported he had tested positive for marijuana during the recent NFL Scouting combine. Those reports were later determined to be false.

The 6-foot-3 243 lbs. Cushing has been bothered by allegations that he used steroids, despite having never failed any drug test. Pictures alleging to show before and after image of Cushing register some 52,000 online results in a Google search. But the athlete, who graced last week’s cover of Sports Illustrated, continues to state in interviews he has never used steroids and will continue to prove people wrong. The Texans seemed to agree as they moved in to select him as their highest draft pick in 2009.

Both Raji and Cushing were part of an astounding seven players drafted in the first round who grew up in New Jersey, the highest total from any one particular state.

Nether player will make a 2009 homecoming at East Rutherford’s Giants Stadium, however Cushing’s team will face the Jets in Houston on September 13. The Packers don’t play ether the Jets or the Giants in 2009. Both players could have the opportunity to shine in the national spotlight, as the Texans will play one Monday night game and the Packers two. The Packers also will be televised nationally during a Thanksgiving Day game. Surely many eyes from the Pascack Valley will be watching these budding stars, not just in 2009, but hopefully for years to come.

"Emme imparts her style on students"

In a media driven world where tall skin and bones models are portrayed as the standard of beauty, 17-year Closter resident and supermodel Emme will tell you that beauty takes many forms.

“Your perfect just the way you are,” said Emme to an auditorium of seventh and eight graders at Tenakill Middle School on April 29. “You can not change your body type. You can only make it the best that it can be.”

Chosen twice to be on People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” list, Emme broke into the fashion industry as an athletic full figured model and went on to work alongside the likes of Cindy Crawford and Halle Berry.

Providing statistics, Emme told students that the average American woman is 5-foot-4 and 145 lbs. yet the average American model is 5-foot-11 and 117 lbs. This leaves many with an image of beauty that is unattainable by most and unhealthy for some.

Did you know, she points out, that the multiple-billion dollar diet industry is based on a 98 percent failure rate? Yet people continue to fuel the industry because it is working by using advertising that attacks the average persons body image.

“Just be critical of what you are seeing,” said Emme. “When you start seeing that time and time again only one image of beauty is being seen, no wonder your driving yourself crazy.”

Emme was able to share first hand experiences with students that exemplified body bashing; a tactic that can inhibit self-esteem, which she says is vital to everyone’s individual success.

As a child, born in America, but growing up in Saudi Arabia Emme was subjected to her step-father forcing her to strip into her undergarments while he drew on her with a marker, attempting to highlight where she would have “fat problems” later in life. Early in her modeling career she was subjected to a photographer declaring: “I will not shoot that fatty.”

But Emme, who won a full athletic scholarship to Syracuse University as a crew rower, explained to students that she is simply an athletic body type and while she can live a healthy life style, it would never be healthy or good for her to struggle to achieve the image of beauty portrayed in most fashion magazines.

(Emme speaking to students during her lecture on April 28, 2009)

Emme told students that there are three body types: Ectomorphic, which is loosely described as thin; Mesomorphic or athletic; and Endomorphic, described as soft and round. While she was clearly mesomorphic, it was hard to overcome traumatic experiences and body bashing before she could be comfortable with her body.

“I never really honored this big, strong, beautiful body wholly until I got in my 30’s,” she said.

This issue does not just apply to women but also men, Emme told the students. Advertising and media that often instructs men be big and bulky is often contradicted by ads encouraging men to loose weight. Instead focus on nutrition and an active life style and be proud of who you are she said.

Also it is important to have a positive support system of friends and family, not friends who partake in body image bashing. The serious conditions of anorexia or bulimia can stem from bad self-images being propagated by stereotypes and negativity.

Instead Emme tries to promote health and fashion forward trends for all sized women. A former television host and recipient of many accolades, she successfully battled lymphoma in 2007 and continues to reside in Closter with her daughter. Check her our online at her Web site, Emmestyle.com.

NFL Draft

I'm deep in the world of the NFL Draft tonight.

I actually just wrapped up an article for Steppin' Out magazine where I have established a four month residency as weekly sport's columnist.

However I'm not done there with the draft. Given the extremely rare occurrence of two natives of my relatively small circulation area of Pascack Valley, NJ - Boston College's B.J. Raji and USC's Brian Cushing - I'm also working on profiles of them for the Pascack Press. That can wait until tomorrow though.

Here is my freshly crafted steppin' out article. Goodnight!

Before he ever throws a pass in the NFL, the Jets’ new quarterback Mark Sanchez will receive the kind of payday few will see in a lifetime.

The Jets pulled a draft day shocker when they traded up 12 spots to snag Sanchez fifth overall. But while the QB, who opted out of his senior year at USC, could net a ballpark figure of $30 million guaranteed, he still won’t come close to fellow first round quarterback and number one overall pick Matthew Stafford, who experts are speculating could pull $40 million guaranteed and usurp the $70 million figure for the potential value of his long term rookie contract.

It is an escalating trend in the NFL for first round draft picks to command absurd contracts and signing bonuses, but it’s a practice that might soon be approaching its end. Almost a sure and certain shift in policy is coming as the 2009 draft will be the last governed under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the league and players’ union.

The CBA was negotiated in 1993 and extended several times, however this summer the owners voted unanimously to opt out of the agreement. They sighted inherent flaws in the massive legal document; specifically the current system allows rookies to secure higher paying contracts than proven veterans. Additionally, the agreement prohibits teams from recouping bonuses paid to players who breach their contracts or refuse to perform, as recently demonstrated in court when an incarcerated Michael Vick won a court decision to keep his bonuses.

One comparison that exemplifies the rookie/veteran contract disparity: two-time Super Bowl winner Ben Roethlisberger receives about $1 million more annually than JaMarcus Russel, the Oakland Raiders first round bust from the 2007 draft. Roethlisberger signed an eight year $102 million contract less than a year after Russel got a six year $61 million deal as a LSU quarterback with no NFL experience.

The owners and NFL alike will surely look to fix the out-of-control rookie contract situation that routinely puts perpetually bad franchises like the Detroit Lions in salary cap purgatory having to shell out these bonuses to top draft picks. In fact, changes could be so far reaching that the NFL could have a salary-cap free season, allowing for teams like the Dallas Cowboys to behave like the Yankees of football and purchase the best team money could buy. The way the situation unfolds will certainly be interesting.

But in the final year of the current CBA, a whole crop of local players will take advantage of the current system. Seven of the 32 players selected in the first round come from New Jersey. Here is a quick rundown of the local talent. Westwood high school grad and defensive lineman B.J. Raji was selected ninth overall by the Packers. Former Middle Town South running back Knowshon Moreno of Bedford was selected 12th by the Broncos. The Saints selected Piscataway product, cornerback Malcolm Jenkins 14th overall. Then Former Bergen Catholic turned USC linebacker, Park Ridge native Brian Cushing went 15th to the Houston Texans. Donald Brown, who played at Red Bank Catholic, was selected 27th as a running back out of UCONN. Finally, Rutgers’ wide receiver and former Bayonne High School star Kenny Britt went 30th to the Tennesse Titans.

Grass roots mayor to take to the streets

Ever since Pascack Valley Hospital closed there doors nearly two years ago because of bankruptcy there has been one of the most real issues to ever face the people of the Pascack Valley.

When local people thought their hospital would be restored after Hackensack University Medical Center paid nearly $50 million for the site in federal bankruptcy court, few if any would be prepared for the heavy weight PR battle that would insue between the local healthcare giants.

This compelling story just took a deeper twist as now, Westwood Mayor John Birkner has vowed to take the fight to the streets and march on Ridgewood's Valley Hospital. This press release drafted today. Too cool.

New Music

It's a gorgeous saturday in New Jersey and it's time to just enjoy a day off playing music.

Check out new music by the SAME OLD JETS.
Let me know what you think.

Crash in Emerson

I heard that the driver is OK, and I truley hope so. I do not to mean to make light of the severity of a crash like this, ever. But pictures like this are compelling and post-worthy.

Taken while on assignment for Pascack Press.

Reviewed: The Derek Trucks Band at the Wellmont Theatre, Montclair, NJ March 25, 2009

(Note: While I would absolutely love to write the shit out of this, I’m throwing this up online, to borrow a phrase from music, on my first take. The show was great and I expect to come back to this piece, but I have work at 9 a.m… Additionally, I’ll make no attempt to hide my love for the DTB; this is an editorial style piece.)

Yonrico Scott, a large 40-something-year-old black man adorned in African tribal robes stepped forward to the microphone as the crowd of about 2,000 fans listened.

“Allow me to present to you, the hardest working man in New York City, Mr. Derek Trucks!”

Scott, in his deep, booming and serious voice that directly contradicts his often cartoonish expressionism, stated his pride in Derek who’s having a 2009 that will establish him as one of the newest boss guitar mainstays.

“We’re giving New York a treat this week,” said Scott.

Indeed they are. In an era of the unapproachable celebrity, 29-year-old Derek Trucks’ fame is growing rapidly, yet you can still find him playing for $23 on a weeknight in a small theatre in a small town. Tonight, it’s Montclair, NJ.
(Note: The aura I’m talking about is further exemplified by the fact that for the second time in as many months, I happened to bump into one of the band members, hours before the show just casually strolling outside the venue. Mike Mattison at Feb. 23 Blender Theatre and Kofi Burbridge tonight)

But don’t let their casualness fool you. This band is the real deal.


(Derek (left) with Todd Smallie on stage in Montclair)

For the past two weeks, Trucks has been part of one of the greatest runs of concerts ever, rocking Broadway’s Beacon Theatre, as the Allman Brothers Band celebrated their 40th anniversary and played host to the likes of Eric Clapton, Taj Mahal, Levon Helm, Buddy Guy and so many more.

Since 1988 (, excluding 2008 when Gregg Allman’s health forced a cancellation) the Allman Brothers and fans have enjoyed a month long residency at the Beacon. Derek joined the band as a full time member in 1999 at just 19-years-old.

For me the connection is personal. As a 13-year-old child in 1998 I attended one of my first concerts after I won the ticket by default on a family vacation in Cape Cod. It was an Allman Brothers show at the Great Woods in Manchester Ma (?) and “The Derek Trucks Band” was the opener.

Much to do was made over this 18-year-old kid, who was a strong five years my elder. I could not tell you who was in the band then. But I remember, beside for Derek, they sounded a lot different from the band I love today.

My friends Joe Girard, Jimmy Christie and my dad provided me with many opportunities to see the Allman’s beacon’s runs, but additionally I always made it to see Derek when he passed through town.

I saw the band play for free in a park in Albany in 2004. I saw the band play at an old movie theater in Paramus, NJ just before it was torn down. While at Marist I caught his band twice in Poughkeepsie. The list goes on.

And as I watched, an amazing thing happened right in front of my eyes. As I grew older, Derek’s band grew stronger. Always anchored by Scott and bassist Todd Smallie, I saw and listened, much to my delight, as the pieces continued to fall into place. Kofi Burbridge, a dynamic flutist who plays some tasty keys and percussionist Count M’Butu were added. And finally lead singer Mike Mattison.

Not only has bands live show grown leaps and bounds from above average to irreproachable, the quality of their studio output is growing exponentially.

They’re first major label release, ‘Joyful Noise’ was a great album that featured a combination of special guests because Mattison had not yet been found.

‘Songlines’ blew me away. It was the culmination of years of watching the band’s live performances, transcended in the studio like I never thought I’d hear.

Finally their latest, “Already Free” debuted in billboard’s top-25.

After a world tour with Eric Clapton, a great deal of mainstream media coverage and an overwhelmingly successful debut at producing, Trucks is right back on the road again. And I guess I’m just lucky to live close to a place he seems to have an affinity for, New York City.

So in middle of a two week run at NYC’s Beacon Theatre, with one day off from the Allmans this week, the DTB booked the Wellmont gig months in advance.

It comes after years of the same. Light night jams in NYC after beacon shows, anything to get out that music that’s in their hearts. Early morning jams at Manhattan mainstays like Tribeca Blues, the Lion’s Den, Joe Pub, and BB Kings have been common over the years.


(Here's Derek making that SG sing like only he can. More clips linked at the end.)

After a week of star studded performance that I missed at the Beacon, I thought we might get some special guests at the Wellmont. Someone told me on the beer line that Robert Randolph was in the house, quietly enjoying the music. Also a Les Paul that looked a lot like something Warren Haynes would play just sat, untouched on stage the entire show.

In the end there were no special guests. No gimmicks, just straight forward DTB. And I loved every second of it.

TO SEE DEREK WHEN THE BAND WALKE ONTO THE STAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME,

CLick HERE

TO SEE THE ENCORE, "ALREADY FREE,"
CLICK HERE!