Asbury Park « Vichy Water

May 15, 2012

“I’m Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired” (New Jersey Environmental Federation Conference in Newark). Jersey Acoustic Music (JAM) Awards in Asbury Park. Instead of Whispering “Plastics” I Whispered “Water” to My Son. I am an Eracist. May 15, 2012

Filed under: November 2009 — Tags: Alexandra Inglis, Amy Goldsmith, Asbury Park, Brigadier General Steven Anderson, Calvin Schwartz, Clear Water Action, David Pringle, Dr. Nicky Shetas, Emily Grove, Eracism, Fannie Lou Hamer, Hess, Jersey Acoustic Awards, Kevin John Allen, Lo Kloza, New Jersey Environmental Federation, Newark, Peter Montague, Rutgers Law School, Senator Jennifer Beck — earthood @ 10:33 am

I wonder why more citizens here in New Jersey don’t make the time to attend the New Jersey Environmental Federation Conference; an annual event held at Rutgers Law School in Newark. At very least, it’s an exercise in expanding the mind, by learning, listening, growing; it’s just a better thing to do than sleeping to 10 AM on a Saturday, watching television for an hour and making two passes around Costco’s bakery department. One summer back in 1967, I worked in an industrial bakery in Newark and I fell in love with the bakery smell; so that’s why occasionally I make two passes through Costco’s; it’s a close enough smell and it takes me back to the days of the ‘Lone Ranger.’

a perspective view looking down in Rutgers Law school

So where does this expression come from? “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired” One of my heroes, Fannie Lou Hamer said this. She was instrumental in organizing Mississippi Freedom Summer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and later became the Vice-Chair of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, attending the 1964 Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She believed fervently in the righteousness of the cause of civil rights. This past Saturday, I attended the New Jersey Environmental Federation Conference in Newark at Rutgers Law School. I’ve been going for years, especially looking forward to Dr. Nicky Sheats talk about environmental justice; one of the causes that mean so much. For me, being in college during the decade of civil rights in the 1960’s and then attending the very first Earth Day on April 22nd 1970 and now seeing civil rights and environment become concentric circles of commonality is painfully relevant in 2012.

Fannie Lou Hamer. A hero. "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired"

Amy Goldsmith from New Jersey Environmental Federation being honored;.

After breakfast and introductory speeches, the conference separated into workshops. I circled the ‘Enough is Enough’ workshop; needed to learn how the cumulative effect of pollution in water, air and food is making people sick and what we can do about it. The speakers were amazingly credentialed; Dr. Nicky Sheats, Phd, Center of Urban Development, Steve Anderson, Research Scientist, Peter Montague, PhD, Environmental Research Foundation(I love listening to his rational dire global warming warning words) and Henry Rose, State Coordinator, NJ Environmental Justice Alliance. Henry was passionate and right on when he uttered “environmental apartheid.” I learned that Hess (Oil) Corporation plans to build a 655-megawatt natural gas power plant in the East Ward (Ironbound) section of Newark, a city and a section dangerously overburdened by an onslaught of environmental affronts, degradation and pollutants. By a 7-1 vote, the Newark board approved a measure last Thursday night and despite grass roots opposition, the board gave the project the go-ahead in a 15-minute meeting. When I heard this, I raised my hand and suggested that the title of this workshop should be changed to “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.”

Attendees listening to awards ceremony

My using Fannie Lou Hamer’s words simply mean I’m sick and tired of hearing year after year about blatant examples of environmental injustice. There are enough graphs and statistics which clearly show the amount of pollution is related to the color of skin and how much money someone has in their pocket. People’s health around this new Hess energy center is going to be impacted again. Since the 19th century, Newark Ironbound has been a manufacturing hub, producing everything from iron to beer to paint. In the 1950s and 1960s, Ironbound’s Diamond Alkali/Diamond Shamrock Chemicals Corp. produced Agent Orange, a carcinogenic chemical weapon used extensively in the Vietnam War.

half hour before workshop Nicky Sheats, Steve Anderson, Peter Montague and Henry Rose strategizing

conference speakers, Ben Forest, Angela Clerico,Senator Jennifer Beck & David Pringle

Last year at the Conference, I was outraged when PurGen wanted to build a coal firing plant in Linden and the reason officials gave me was that Linden(already off the charts in asthmatic rates) had the infra-structure in place to support a plant which needed an ocean to dump waste into and railroad tracks to move coal. I raised my hand and pointed out that exactly the same railroad tracks and ocean run up and down the rest of the east coast. There was silence; always silence

Environmentally our time is running out. I voiced this to one of my favorite PhD speakers after his talk. Global warming and climate change is so here. The Pentagon even knows this and is beginning to project huge population shifts from coastlines and how it impacts our future security. I’ve been observing attitudes that if we put a man on the moon so fast, we can do anything but maybe once we can’t. Then I got cute. I told the PhD scientist about the movie ‘The Graduate’ when Dustin Hoffman’s character, Benjamin Braddock hears the word “plastics” at his graduation party. I’ve done the same thing to a myriad of graduates over the years. Most graduates never know what I’m talking about when I whisper, “plastics.” I recently whispered, “water” to my son instead. “America will get out of debt with China one day when we start shipping them water,” I said semi-seriously. But then the PhD smiled at me.

General Anderson addressing conference

I was pleased later in the day at the second workshop when I heard NJ State Senator Jennifer Beck mention how she voted against her Republican Party and Governor on certain environmental issues. We need more courage and commitment like that. I keep looking at big picture of things; the planet and how we keep ignoring, violating and nothing changes.

Amy Goldsmith, State Director, was honored for her amazing dedicated years of service and unlimited energy. Lisa Plevin, Chief of Staff USEPA, Gray Russell (a former rocker too) Environmental Coordinator, Montclair, John Weber, Northeast Regional Manager, Surfrider Foundation and Robert Westreich, Esq. (he never lost a case with First Amendment right to canvass neighborhoods throughout the state for over 20 years) all received Conference Awards. By the way, the luncheons are worth the price of admission alone.

with(retired) Brigadier General Steven Anderson

In the keynote address, Retired Brigadier General Steve Anderson electrified with his candor and passion for environmental change. Here’s a few of his quotes rapid fire. “We’ve got to get off oil. We won’t exist.” “The increased competition for oil is a threat to our security.” “Green economy is where the money is.” “President Obama was absolutely right when he stopped the Keystone pipeline.” General Anderson made a point as soon as he started to speak, saying he was a Republican. Sometimes he fooled me and other audience members. He just cares. “It’s a 20 year process to get off oil. We need to do it under our terms.” “1000 Americans died moving oil around over there. We spend $20 billion a year on oil. The Pentagon is the world’s largest consumer of energy.” “We are funding both sides of war. We buy oil and the money ends up in Iran.” “What troops need is renewable energy. Afghanistan has 340 days of sun; so harness solar. And wind, geothermal and waste to energy systems.” “How do we help? Pressure the Department of Defense (DOD).”

At the birthday party after the conference for the 40th year of ‘Clean Water Action,’ General Anderson was quite accessible. I managed to pay him my highest compliment, when I said, “Listening to you, I don’t think anyone could tell what political party you’re in which means you care about doing the right things for people.” He smiled and we took a picture together. Finally my exhortation to all those within earshot of me; “Get thee to the NJ Environmental Federation conference next year. And join the organization in the meantime.” I’ve heard it through the grapevine that both actions increases cerebral vascular circulation which makes you smarter.

asbury park ocean 2 blocks away. looks like southern california

backstage before awards ceremony

One goes through life and sometimes gets to look in an old attic mirror or through a looking glass or slips down a rabbit hole and manages to be a guest at a tea party. Since November, I’ve plunged into Jersey and Asbury Park music and somebody noticed me and my purist enthusiasm. I was set to cover the Jersey Acoustic Music (JAM) Awards a couple of weeks ago for NJ Discover TV when I got a call asking me to be a presenter at the prestigious awards in Asbury Park. I was overwhelmed and deeply honored; right up there with anything in this or any one of my past lives. I’d give the award for ‘Top Accompanying Musician.’ A little background music:

father and son reporting for njdiscover.com

emily grove winning award

Sometime ago, I discovered my writing effectiveness is more heightened if I experience the subject, emote, then draw from the gut to express. Hemingway, an idol of mine, was that way too; he drove an ambulance in World War I and wrote ‘A Farewell to Arms.’ I got to Asbury Park and site of the Third Annual Jersey Acoustic Music Awards nearly two hours early to begin feeling that special electricity in the air of the Stage Performance Hall at the Lutheran Atonement Church.

The Jersey Acoustic Music Awards honors original artists who tirelessly perform around the state at small venues. To prepare, on the Friday before the awards, I went to Point Pleasant’s Green Planet Coffeehouse to see Alexandra Inglis, a sixteen year old nominee (and winner) for ‘Top 18 and Under Performer’ and was, as they say, ‘blown away’ by her voice and lyrics.

what i look like as an award presenter with maggie beltran.

As the hall filled it became evident to this first time Acoustic awards attendee that most everyone knew one another in this special community of Jersey Acoustic Music. MC Anton Daub stressed the night was more about getting recognition from fellow musicians. A wondrous array of singers performed in the round throughout the program in between awards. Jo Wymer’s singing ‘dazzled.’ She liked my one word description of her then went on to win Top Female Performer. Emily Grove won Top Female Vocalist and perhaps was taken back when I mentioned writing about her talent in my blog nearly two years ago, after seeing her sing at Asbury Park’s Clearwater Festival.

16 yr old alexandra inglis performing

kevin john allen with choir . a powerful song.

A few weeks ago, I journeyed to the Strand Theatre for this amazing intimate interactive ‘Songwriters by the Sea’ Backstage event and saw Cat Cosentino sing. She won for Top Pop/Rock and deservedly so. I also met Lo Kloza nominated for Top Female Vocalist and Top New Act. Exuberant and excited, she mentioned her much anticipated CD release party at ‘Downtown’ in Red Bank on June 20th. With Jon Caspi’s ‘the little ones’ I was noticeably moved by his song of children in the African war zones being kidnapped and made into soldiers. Right out of sixties protestation; I was home.

anton daub singing to open awards.

a view of Rutgers Law looking up. i need to look up.

At intermission, strangely I wondered what folks do in Billings, Montana or near the Bridges of Madison County, Iowa, when they can sing but don’t have an Asbury Park, a musical mecca nearby. Kevin John Allen, nominated for Top Male Songwriter, performed the final song with a powerful emotional moving twist. He brought a number of singers together in a choir like mode to sing, ‘Jesus Could You Call Me’ from his new CD ‘Life’s Lonely Rodeo.’ Sounds of silence filled the hall while they sang. So here I am in the middle of all this magic music when a few months ago, I was eating large bowls of oatmeal, self-sprinkled with raisins and cinnamon (controls sugar metabolism) and wondering what I was doing with the rest of my life; now I presented an award at JAM to Taylor Hope, winner of Top Accompanying Musician.

The power of media; It was announced earlier today that name Mason is the number two baby name in America because a Kardashian named her son that. I wish media could rally folks into more proactive environmental stances. I finally figured out who and what I am in this world and what I’ve been most of my life since I looked at the world from a back window on a Newark bus. I am and always will be an eracist. I’d love to see racism erased. What a silly species we are; focusing on color or gender or God. Go sign the Kyoto protocol. Stop building polluting institutions where poor people live. And now to close, I’m whispering to you all, “water.” I’m going upstairs now to watch ‘The Graduate.’ April she will come. So will December and January. And I wish just one boutique food store would sell parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme next to each other in the herb/spices aisle.

NOW HERE THIS: a bit of an advertisement. I don’t do those very much here. BUT there’s a very unusual upbeat funny precious 2 minute video involving 102 year old Emily Cook who talks about the life briefly and then invites me back to her room. Not to be missed especially the last 23 seconds. PLEASE check it out and share it.

http://www.hooplaha.com/getting-better-all-the-time/

HooplaHa Videos and Article LINKS to Check Out. Very Interesting!!!!

Judy Feinstein: Female Pilot:

Judy Feinstein pilot:

http://www.hooplaha.com/no-rearview-mirror/

Fatherhood:

http://www.hooplaha.com/fatherhood/

Ida Gonzalez: A Mother’s Journey to Light:

http://www.hooplaha.com/a-mothers-journey-to-light/

Common Sense Approach to Common Sense:

http://www.hooplaha.com/common-sense-approach-to-common-sense/

Flexitarianism:

http://www.hooplaha.com/flexitarianism/

Meryl Streep and Me:

http://www.hooplaha.com/meryl-streep-and-me/

A Real College Pep Band Video (yes 85 seconds):

http://www.hooplaha.com/rutgers-rah-a-college-pep-band/

Also a very worthwhile cause to read up on:

Butterfly Circle of Friends. http://www.butterflycircleoffriends.org

MY CONTACT INFORMATION

website: http://vichywater.net

Facebook: Cal Schwartz

Twitter: Earthood

Email: earthood@gmail.com

book trailer. hey its 65 seconds long

Vichy Water Book Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qj2ko9gcC

IMPORTANT LINK

If on Facebook check out this NJ Discover site:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000125711074

OR www.njdiscover.com

LINKS TO VIDEOS. Please Watch.

1. ZOMBIE WALK October 22, 2011

Zombie Walk Asbury Park

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfFA-y115nc&feature=autoshare

2. VETERANS DAY NJ VIETNAM MEMORIAL

Nov 11, 2011

Veterans Day at NJ Vietnam War Memorial

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYwkaa_xreg&feature=related

3. RANDALL HAYWOOD & VICTOR JONES JAZZ CONCERT

Nov 19, 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNohzH8AHvM&feature=player_embedded

Comments (3)

April 7, 2012

Old Movie Watching. Hyperthymesia (Superior Autobiographical Memory). On Art in Asbury Park. Me and Danny Glover. Dr. Sketchy and Me. La Marseillaise. April 7, 2012

Filed under: November 2009 — Tags: Asbury Park, Casablanca, Danny Glover, Dr. Sketchy, La Marseillaise, Live Asbury Park, Marilu Henner, Mel Gibson, Mireille Mathieu, Wilson Volleyball — earthood @ 3:07 pm

Asbury Park Convention Hall. a view from a bridge nearby. at nite. country music in air

Before drifting into the deep recesses of my Asbury Park mind, I need to do a movie discourse. Funny, I’ve been thinking lately of actually making a movie; a blend of real and unreal in a special place of reverence. ‘There’s still time brother;’ a thought from the scary prophetic movie, On the Beach.

The other night I was in the mood to watch Casablanca. My viewing of the movie eclipsed the century mark; recollect I’ve seen this tech noir movie more than 100 times; I can almost but not quite tell the exact dates I watched it. Some people can tell that fact; they’ve got a condition called hyperthymesia in which they possess a superior autobiographical memory. Folks with hyperthymesia can recall almost every day of their lives in near perfect detail, as well as public events that hold some personal relevance to them.

Marilu Henner. Superior autobiographical memory

wilson the volley ball from 'castaway'

Those affected describe memories as uncontrollable associations, when they encounter a date, they “see” a vivid depiction of that day in their heads. Recollection occurs without hesitation or conscious effort. Actress Marilu Henner has this condition. Oh, I don’t really have it but I dwell frequently in the past; how I could’ve tweaked a few things and made 2012 living different; how did I lose a sibling; this notion provokes walks at night, near 2 AM in central Jersey, head tilted skyward to stars, moon and the parallel worlds/universes out there. A few years ago, I read about Princeton PhD candidate Hugh Everett’s thesis in 1951, when he mathematically proved the existence of parallel worlds. Maybe there’s a million of me (and you too) at this exact moment in time. Reckon you should’ve seen my facial expression when I found Everett’s doctoral thesis on line, read the first paragraph or so, and felt like Tom Hanks, in Castaway talking to ‘Wilson’ a former volleyball. My two college degrees got me to the third paragraph before running off to seven layer cake land (a frustration buster).

Vichy Water, a novel

Back to Casablanca; a long story of being a Humphrey Bogart fan. I suppose most of you all know seven years ago on a rainy March Sunday around 9:30 AM, when I was watching Casablanca for the 74^th time, I saw Claude Rains throw a bottle of Vichy Water (French mineral water) into a metal garbage can near the end of the movie. Then I let out a blood curdling scream because a novel popped into my head. Two years ago my novel ‘Vichy Water’ was published; a special achievement in a life. One of my favorite scenes in the movie: Paul Henreid (Victor Laszlo) starts singing ‘La Marseillaise,’ the French National Anthem, in one of the most memorable and moving scenes. After the movie, I went to YouTube and found famed French singer Mireille Mathieu’s version, singing in front of the Eiffel Tower; how unbelievably moving an anthem. I read comments made about Mathieu and the anthem; a few proclamations that it’s the most inspirational national anthem ever. I was curious about the lyrics into English translation.

Let’s go children of the fatherland,

The day of glory has arrived!

Against us tyranny’s

Bloody flag is raised! (repeat)

In the countryside, do you hear

The roaring of these fierce soldiers?

They come right to our arms

To slit the throats of our sons, our friends!

Famed French singer Mireille Mathieu

I listened to Mathieu sing La Marseillaise for literally several hours. Powerful stuff; I began to envision myself in Paris this August, working on my 2^nd novel, being inspired and moved. I was bothered by some of the lyrics; rather graphic images of throats. I was also haunted by images of the Germans marching with ease and little resistance into Paris and the French citizens helping to round up fellow Parisians into the Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup in 1942 (ultimate destination, concentration camps) as depicted in the movie, Sarah’s Key. My respiration levels during that movie were some of the lowest readings ever in a life.

A few nights ago I was flicking channels, looking for blue lights that would mess up my melatonin levels but somehow soothe me to sleep. I like muffled television sounds in the wee hours of the morning to facilitate sleep. It works for me. I stumbled upon Lethal Weapon, (from 1987, 24 long years ago) with Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. I promised myself a few years ago, after a publicized Mel Gibson despicable racist anti-Semitic rant to Los Angeles police, that I’d never watch anything involving him again. But this scene I stumbled upon was one of my favorites; to me it was as poignant and telling a societal revelation as there is, so I watched. Here’s the setup: Gibson and Glover (Roger Murtaugh), LA cops, are about to investigate a woman, Dixie. Her house explodes. Soon after, cops Mel and Danny encounter four small black neighborhood kids who may’ve witnessed the perpetrator who planted the bomb. They identify themselves as police officers but one kid says, “My mother told me that policemen shoot black people.” Then I thought about Trayvon Martin being shot recently in Sanford, Florida. I thought to myself, “24 years ago, seems like a long time, but I guess not.

Asbury Park. Bangs Art Gallery. scene. grand opening.

With Artists Christopher Fitzgerald (amazing collages in background) and Kortez Robinson just before opening of Bangs Art Gallery in Asbury Park

Fifteen years ago or so I was travelling into New York City with seven other sales reps in a hired van to take us to the Parker-Meridien Hotel (French) and then to Javits Convention Center for Vision Expo, an international eyeglass exhibition. After dropping our clothes off at the hotel (it was 4 PM) the van driver was cruising downtown via Fifth Avenue. At 40^th Street we hit a red light. I saw Danny Glover on the corner trying to hail a cab unsuccessfully. I rolled down my window and offered him a lift. He said, “I can’t get a f—— cab.” Then Glover picked up his suitcase and started coming to our van. I remembered at the time there was a bit of a scandal going on with New York City cabs not wanting to pick up African-Americans for ‘fears.’ I was excited because I was about to pick-up one of my favorite actors and give him a lift. We had all the time in the world I thought (thinking of the movie, The Time Machine by HG Wells) because the convention started the next day. Suddenly the light turned green and my van driver sped off, not knowing my intentions and therefore leaving Danny Glover standing by the curb and me in fifteen year devastation, on what Danny Glover thought of me and what could’ve been.

Kortez Robinson mixed media/canvas) Art also on display Heldrich Hotel. New Brunswick. Esoteric Urbanism Exhibit

Posing(modeling?) in the eclectic photographic studio of Andrei Jackomets in Asbury Park. The last time I modeled was in Ohio in spring 1964 a few days before Barry Goldwater campaigned down the road.

Lately I’ve been pondering how curious topics arrive at my computer keyboard. Earlier this week, I wrote about Monmouth County Cemetery Chasing because NJ Discover TV writers (me) have been on the grounds of several local cemeteries for rather serendipitous reasons. At NJ Discover we’re all over Monmouth County doing our job description; discovering, elevating and exploring our home county. Last month, I’ve also immersed myself into the art scene in Asbury Park and an hour ago, I realized that I should be telling a tale of art discovery.

asbury lanes at night. my shadow on ground.

Asbury Lanes. Asbury Park. bowling balls and candles and sound equipment. sounds like an old sixties song.

Through the magic of Facebook with never ending stories of networking and events, last month I heard about an ‘artsy’ item at Asbury Lanes called Dr. Sketchy Asbury Park and decided to click the JOIN button after getting an invitation from Tim. I checked Google first; a new tool of investigative reporting. “Since 2005, Dr. Sketchy’s has been the name in alternative drawing. From illegal flash mobs to the Museum of Modern Art, Dr. Sketchy’s has brought artists a rule-breaking cocktail of dames, drinking and drawing. Dr. Sketchy’s branches draw in over a hundred cities around the globe, from Akron to Zagreb. Whether you’re an art star or a scribbling newbie, Dr. Sketchy’s is the perfect place to get your fill of life-drawing.” For me, all a new world; in the past I’ve thought that if Christopher Columbus had approached me way back in my medicinal and potions medieval shop, a mile from where Queen Isabella lived, I would’ve jumped at the opportunity for a long ocean voyage. Crazy after all these years; so I still jump.

sitting in lounge area asbury lanes. neat art in background.

artists sketching at Dr Sketchy Asbury Park. makes sense.

Cut to a recent Sunday afternoon; I arrived at Asbury Lanes for the Dr Sketchy’s Asbury Park sketching session themed as vampire motif with young female models. Asbury Lanes is as close to back to the future, 1950’s ambience, as I’ve seen since Michael J Fox drove a Delorean car. An old self photo booth, bowling ball rack with the top shelf filled with candles, a vending machine, the kind you pull the handle to release (four selections available) set the mood for ambience. A bar that almost reminded me of the The Shining (old movie references again) was off to the left; neat eclectic art work on the walls; an image of Springsteen, Henry Winkler and a rhinoceros and four rows of liquor in a bright showcase. A sign in the snack bar read, “Menu on counter. Booze in back. Vegetarian eats too.” Even the water fountain arrested eye contact.

Tim from Dr Sketchy Asbury Park with Tara-Jean Vitale producer from NJ Discover

with model Tricia Pain at Dr Sketchy. the theme was Vampires.

Then we met congenial and inventive Tim, the host of Dr. Sketchy and Christopher Fitzgerald, an extraordinary artist and force field. Meanwhile 60 real artists with sketch pads positioned over ten vacant bowling alleys did their thing drawing the beautiful ‘dames’ posing in vampire suggestive poses on a stage. Finally, posing for an old fashioned photo-op with striking model Tricia completed my day in a brave new artistic world.

frenetic studio of Andrei Jackomets preparing for vintage pin up model shoot

A few weeks later, Tim invited me as a journalist to cover a special photographic shoot at a private studio in Asbury Park. Of course, there wasn’t much processing just what this shoot was all about. Entering a vestibule (neat descriptive word), I rang the doorbell of suite five, was buzzed into a voice calling down a flight of stairs. “I’m from NJ Discover,” I yelled towards the voice. Next, I entered the photographic artist studio of amazing Andrei Jackomets; a frenetic universe of sets, props, and four models being meticulously made up for a vintage art-deco classy pin-up shoot. More brave new world explorations for this reporter. Tim was thrilled with my effort of being there. I was thrilled to be standing on the deck of the Santa Maria, so I thought; another Columbus voyage for me. Time and energy expended into creating this shoot amazed. I asked permission to photograph what was witnessed. Works of Andrei lined the walls; an extraordinary artist. Everyone was gracious. Space was tight and most of the time, I couldn’t find a place for my 6’5” frame. Andrei and I saw eye to eye; he asked me to pose and then he posed with a model for my camera. I remember what Winston Zeddmore said at the end of Ghostbusters. “I love this city!” (and still another old movie reference) And I do love the invention of Asbury Park. And thanks Tim, Dr Sketchy.

LIVE ASBURY PARK at the Press Room. performance of an evening with Dusty (Springfield) and thanks to Carlos Armesto, creative director for a magical night.

an Asbury Park beach scene. a photographer taking a couple's picture.

Last Saturday, March 24th the new Bangs Art Gallery (congratulations Doug Z’illa) in Asbury Park celebrated an opening. Christopher Fitzgerald displayed his dazzling mixed-media collages before its multi-gallery tour. Rather than describe; check out pictures. With dynamic social commentary artist Kortez Robinson, from Freehold; I stared at his mixed media/canvas and was transported far away; I like when art makes you think by reaching for an often misplaced social conscience. The gallery was crowded and folks talked not only about present art but how great it is to see Asbury Park alive. Prior to the gallery opening, we grabbed a sandwich on Cookman Avenue and afterwards walked across the street to The Press Room for Live Asbury Park’s presentation of ‘An Evening with Dusty,’ which recreated a 1969 concert experience with the original pop Diva and blue-eyed soul singer, Dusty Springfield. Dusty was delivered by “powerhouse singer Kirsten Holly Smith, complete with peroxide beehive and panda eye shadow, backed by a trio of pop-soul doo-wop girls who step out for their own funky star turns.” By the way, what a night; those that confine their souls to the sedentary couch TV ought to know this entire evening in Asbury Park cost me $24.75 for two for everything and this is 2012 not 1955, the year the Dodgers won the World Series.

So I battle with the old internal introspective mechanism as relates to this particular blog. I love Paris in the spring time or in August when I dream of going for a month to work on my second novel but “Golly,” as Sally Field from Norma Rae uttered in the movie, I’d miss the Jersey Shore and Asbury Park this summer, with its amazing renaissance of music, art and food. And “there is no place like home” as Dorothy said, in the Wizard of Oz. However I don’t know why she wasn’t wearing the red ruby slippers at the end of the movie. Wouldn’t it have been provocative? Oh well.

red ruby slippers. so cool brewster if they are on at end of movie.

NOW HERE THIS: a bit of an advertisement. I don’t do those very much here. BUT there’s a very unusual upbeat funny precious 2 minute video involving 102 year old Emily Cook who talks about the life briefly and then invites me back to her room. Not to be missed especially the last 23 seconds. PLEASE check it out and share it.

http://www.hooplaha.com/getting-better-all-the-time/

HooplaHa Videos and Article LINKS to Check Out. Very Interesting!!!!

Judy Feinstein: Female Pilot:

Judy Feinstein pilot

Fatherhood:

http://www.hooplaha.com/fatherhood/

Ida Gonzalez: A Mother’s Journey to Light:

http://www.hooplaha.com/a-mothers-journey-to-light/

Common Sense Approach to Common Sense:

http://www.hooplaha.com/common-sense-approach-to-common-sense/

Flexitarianism:

http://www.hooplaha.com/flexitarianism/

A Real College Pep Band Video (yes 85 seconds):

http://www.hooplaha.com/rutgers-rah-a-college-pep-band/

Also a very worthwhile cause to read up on:

Butterfly Circle of Friends. http://www.butterflycircleoffriends.org

MY CONTACT INFORMATION

website: http://vichywater.net

Facebook: Cal Schwartz

Twitter: Earthood

Email: earthood@gmail.com

book trailer. hey its 65 seconds long

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qj2ko9gcC_M

IMPORTANT LINK

If on Facebook check out this NJ Discover site:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000125711074

OR www.njdiscover.com

LINKS TO VIDEOS. Please Watch.

1. ZOMBIE WALK October 22, 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfFA-y115nc&feature=autoshare

2. VETERANS DAY NJ VIETNAM MEMORIAL

Nov 11, 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYwkaa_xreg&feature=related

3. RANDALL HAYWOOD & VICTOR JONES JAZZ CONCERT

Nov 19, 2011

Randall Haywood and Victor Jones Interview from Chico’s House of Jazz Asbury Park

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNohzH8AHvM&feature=player_embeddedr

Comments (0)

March 11, 2012

Adventures in Baby Sitting and Facebook: Dutch Reformed Church in Colts Neck, NJ. Predictability; The Movie ‘Prom’ (My Son’s Generation?). “I Love the Smell of Napalm in the Morning.” (Apocalypse Stuff: An Asteroid in 2040) Living to 150: Stop With Soda? Steve Jobs: Daniel Kottke (Human Nature?). Asbury Park, NJ (Live Asbury Park Launch) March 11, 2012

Filed under: November 2009 — Tags: Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park, Asteroid, Belmar, Daniel Kottke, Dutch Reformed Church, Live Asbury Park, Midnight Express, Shark River, Sleeper, Springsteen, Steve Jobs, Vichy Water — earthood @ 9:21 pm

asbury park boardwalk

I do love Asbury Park (New Jersey). As a kid growing up in Newark, my parents saved and scrimped all year to make it to the Jersey shore for August, renting a small bungalow in a Belmar backyard on Seventh Avenue. On weekends, if I behaved all week and babysat for my sisters, my reward was the quintessential boardwalk and Palace Amusements of Asbury Park. My sister Hildy called it Raspberry Park.

with mario casella and eric greene from slim chance and the gamblers at wonderbar in asbury park

Asbury Park pinball

I’ve been saying since I stumbled into journalism in July, and spending a great deal time in Asbury Park, there is magical dust from a hovering Springsteen cirrus (fair weather) cloud that keeps descending, and inspiring musicians and artists; almost remindful of the dust (snow) that watched over Dorothy, Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Ray Bolger’s Scarecrow as they approached Emerald City.

A few weeks ago, I covered the launch of ‘Live Asbury Park,’ at the ‘Press Room’ (missing Springsteen live there by two nights); an exciting new non-profit live entertainment company. Carlos Armesto, Artistic Director, will bring the spirit of Asbury Park into all avenues of the arts; “to move audiences, open minds and give the artistic experience of a lifetime.”

at launch for Live Asbury Park at 'Press Room'

Asbury Park boardwalk lonely surfboards

Adventures in Baby Sitting in the blog title: streams of consciousness relating to adventures on Facebook and social media networking; like meeting people in real life, babysitting for T.S. Garp or his mother Jenny Fields. Last week I was hanging out in Facebook at, NJ Discover’s Wall. Earlier that day, I had a NJ Discover TV breakfast meeting at a pancake establishment. On the way back, I drove up a rural country road in Colts Neck, Monmouth County, New Jersey, passed this magnificent old church. I made an illegal turn and stopped to read a sign: “Dutch Reformed Church completed and erected in 1856.”

Asbury Park Convention Hall

Asbury Park lanes at night. my shadow on the bottom.,

With camera always by my side, I snapped a few and posted the pix on the wall of NJ Discover to which a Facebook Florida stranger asked me on behalf of NJ Discover, if there was a cemetery in the back and if so, it could very well be where her mother and grandparents are buried. I didn’t know about a cemetery but something (a favorite word) made me respond, by offering if I ever return (which was doubtful) to investigate and try to find her mother’s grave stone.

Dutch Reformed Church 1856

Singer Danny White in Belmar Studio

On Thursday, I was down the Jersey shore, a few towns over from my beloved Asbury Park, in Belmar, hanging out with fast rising singer Danny White (‘A Beautiful Crazy’ cd newly released). After huge amounts of caffeine sweetened with a dark brown liquid confection, I headed to my favorite jetty in the world, including all gin joints, and meditated by the mighty Shark River (a few blocks long?). A fierce seventy degree warm wind blew virginal sand in my face as my feet rested on jetty boulders. I did see a ship heading to Kilimanjaro and the bridge over a troubled Shark River water lift to let a boat pass under.

At Belmar St. Patrick's Day Parade

my jetty in belmar at shark river

Something then directed me to that country road and that church, reasonably far out of the way. I drove to the rear and there was this old cemetery as the stranger on Facebook described. A spiritual quality was there even in the way the trees bent in the wind. I snapped pictures but forgot the stranger’s name; when I saw that certain headstone, I knew it was her mother’s. A special good deed accomplished, I was about to make a get-away; somehow taking pictures in a reverent silent place bothered me. A man of rural authority approached. “I’m from NJ Discover TV,” I quickly stated and told the story of the woman Facebook stranger. Tom(the caretaker) asked if I’d like to learn cemetery history.

The marker of Ryers Crumal, the last Indian chief from the Sand Hill Nation, part of the historic Lenni Lenape Tribe, was inches away from my shoe, frozen in soft soil, afraid to move closer. Then Tom pointed to the far end of the cemetery where no graves were, yet one lone grave stood. James Miller, an African-American,(the only one buried there) without family or friends had died in 1901 and the church provided. “Would you like to meet Reverend Scott Brown now?” Meeting Reverend Brown was pure magic too. Later I sent the picture of her mother’s grave to the Facebook stranger( no more)who wrote a beautiful emotional thank you message.

Cemetery

Ryers Crummal

A few weeks ago I flicked the cable box at 11 PM and landed at the beginning of a movie, ‘Prom,’ made in 2011 for the generation or two after my 26 year old son. I thought saffron light and muffled sound from a somewhat (stretching) reasonably crafted movie on TV, might supply the thrust into my REM stage of sleep but instead I watched (in a fetal position) a remarkably predictable movie to within 120 seconds of the ending. Long haired rebellious boy gets pretty girl at prom. The morning after, I sought reasons for my viewing behavior; reasons are rationalizations; as a writer and reporter I need to be in tune and be able to reach culturally and substantively younger and younger generations. However I shall never write nor will I attempt to write a children’s book nor will I seek the nomination of my party for President of the United States. Lyndon Johnson said the same thing about running for office.

This Sunday morning I saw a travel commercial for historic and beautiful Turkey; people snorkeling in azure blue water then being served a tropical drink. It was really inviting. Then starkly and harshly, I conjured up images of the movie (I am an old movie guy. Give me ‘Casablanca’ and liberty) ‘Midnight Express,’ from 1978, about an American, Billy Hayes, imprisoned in Turkey for smuggling hashish; perhaps one of the most vivid movies I’ve ever seen and can’t seem to lose the imagery over these decades; the resilient power of movies.

James Miller 1901

Movies. Great lines. “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.” “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.” Robert Duvall in ‘Apocalypse Now.’ Streams of consciousness made me think. Just throw it all on a wall. So there’s a massive asteroid that could hit Earth in 2040. I see things; people running around in togas and being fed grapes from the fingers of nubile virgins or male instructors from work-out places where endless bikes are spinning and creating a gentle breeze with self- generated electricity. An ever changing sign across the street has gas at $19.99/gallon. Scientists are keeping a close eye on a big asteroid that may pose an impact threat to Earth in a few decades. The space rock, which is called 2011 AG5, is about 460 feet (140 meters) wide. It may come close enough to Earth in 2040 that some researchers are calling for a discussion about how to deflect it. Talk about the asteroid was on the agenda during the 49th session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), held earlier this month in Vienna. Ah ha. There’s (plug time) an interesting relevant novel ‘Vichy Water’ available on Kindle. Of course I wrote it and the name of this blog. The near-Earth asteroid 2011 AG5 currently has an impact probability of 1 in 625 for Feb. 5, 2040. And Rutgers will be playing Michigan in basketball that day. I’ll be sitting in the handicapped section but I don’t know why.

from movie SLEEPER Woody Allen 1973

Someday over the rainbow in that wonderful place called OZ, a company that makes a consumable, ingestible will come along and say their product actually does no good for the internal areas of a human being and will voluntarily withdraw their golden fleece (fleecing?) from the market. Perhaps I will be in a wheel chair in 2040 when cigarette companies cease and desist. Of course there’s Woody Allen’s movie, ‘Sleeper,’ which makes me laugh. Imagine waking up 500 years in the future, being unfrozen by a team of physicians only to realize they’re all smoking cigarettes and being told that it was finally proven it’s good for you.

caramel coloring in soda

Now take soda. With a father-in-law once in the soda business, I brushed my teeth with an endless cheap supply of it. The moment diet soda arrived; I joined and voraciously consumed even more. A notion to get into the soda manufacturing business passed after I measured the wrong amount of sugar so that a pitchfork was able to stand erect in the syrup vat. The other day Coke and Pepsi announced a reformulation of the caramel coloring additive or else use a cancer warning label. Someone authoritative said you’d have to consume 1000 cans per day to worry about cancer. Five years ago, I came to my senses and stopped all soda and switched to seltzer. By the way, folks who drink diet soft drinks on a daily basis may be at increased risk of suffering vascular events such as stroke, heart attack, and vascular death, according to a new study by the University of Miami Miller School Of Medicine and at Columbia University Medical Center. I want 150 years, still playing tennis and no more wire hangers or soda. Did I read about a Georgia state trooper using soda to wash blood stains off a highway? Good old phosphoric acid they use as a preservative. Maybe someday soda companies can package soda as a household cleaner or solvent. I’ll pose for free as a new modern senior citizen Mr. Clean with copious amounts of brown hair.

Steve Jobs has always been a hero. Then he passed and I’m reading his biography. Not such a hero anymore. Apple is now worth $500 billion; wealthier than many countries. Sitting on the dock of my jetty the other day in Belmar, after reading how Steve Jobs completely ignored his friend Daniel Kottke, his soul mate in college, in India, and in a rental house they shared, and then Jobs absolutely cut Kottke out of any chance to make a few dollars on an Apple IPO; I was dazed and confused for a brief jetty sitting moment. Gosh, Kottke was even with Jobs when they started Apple in a garage. Jobs did give his parents $750,000 dollars; how nice. But the jetty illuminated me. Some folks get it and some don’t and never will. To be charitable and take care of those close to you is a gift. Some folks never understand it’s a gift to gift to others. I see a scene from ‘Beetlejuice,’ with folks sitting and waiting for disposition.

An Asbury Park gin joint looks like the bar in the movie 'The Shining'? Maybe.

Perhaps a similar scene somewhere over Dorothy’s rainbow; people waiting in a going coming around spinning white room with white shag carpeting; if you drop an old faded penny, it disappears. Some of our species have qualities of charity and warmth to go through life with and some don’t. ‘Beetlejuice’ with a shrunken head scared me; another lasting visual like ‘Midnight Express.’ Some of these words are close to home and pound occasionally on left side of my cardiac chamber, causing severe compression and fake heart attack symptoms. Ah, but I’ll be in Asbury Park all throughout the week, exploring, meeting and stuffing as much of the ocean air into my lungs as I can manage. I won’t think about Jobs (Steve), or asteroids, cigarettes or soda. I’ll enjoy the moments the Jersey shore life afford, think about Dorothy and the fact there is no place like home while my Jobs Ipod plays, “Let it Be.”

HooplaHa Videos and Article LINKS to Check Out. Very Interesting!!!!

Judy Feinstein: Female Pilot: http://www.hooplaha.com/no-rearview-mirror/

Fatherhood: http://www.hooplaha.com/fatherhood/

Ida Gonzalez: A Mother’s Journey to Light: http://www.hooplaha.com/a-mothers-journey-to-light/

Common Sense Approach to Common Sense:

http://www.hooplaha.com/common-sense-approach-to-common-sense/

Flexitarianism: http://www.hooplaha.com/flexitarianism/

Linda Chorney’s’ Emotional Jukebox’ Album:

Also a very worthwhile cause to read up on:

Butterfly Circle of Friends. http://www.butterflycircleoffriends.org

MY CONTACT INFORMATION

website: http://vichywater.net

Facebook: Cal Schwartz

Twitter: Earthood

Email: earthood@gmail.com

book trailer. hey its 65 seconds long

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qj2ko9gcC_M

IMPORTANT LINKS

If on Facebook check out this NJ Discover site:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000125711074

OR www.njdiscover.com

LINKS TO VIDEOS. Please Watch.

1. ZOMBIE WALK October 22, 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfFA-y115nc&feature=autoshare

2. VETERANS DAY NJ VIETNAM MEMORIAL

Nov 11, 2011

3. RANDALL HAYWOOD & VICTOR JONES JAZZ CONCERT

Nov 19, 2011

Randall Haywood and Victor Jones Interview from Chico’s House of Jazz Asbury Park

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNohzH8AHvM&feature=player_embeddedr

Comments (3)

February 14, 2012

A Man Named Henry. Spit, Scalpers and NJ Concert Tickets. Newark NJ (Whitney Houston’s Hometown) La Dolce Vita (My Journalistic Adventures Down the Jersey Shore and Departure from Fellini’s Film) Living to 150 (a few thoughts and an interview with Emily Cook, 102 years old) February 14 2012

Filed under: November 2009 — Tags: Asbury Park, La Dolce Vita, Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital, Newark, NJ Discover, Seaside Heights, Summer of 42, Weequahic, Whitney Houston — earthood @ 5:30 pm

downtown Newark

Before jumping into this blog. Here’s a copy of a tweet I just sent out about hooplaha.com and an article I wrote on my being a Flexitarian. “question: got 3 min? read about it in 700 words. I am a Flexitarian http://www.hooplaha.com/?p=1023 at hooplaha”

Strange. It seems I mentioned Newark (my hometown) no less than a dozen times Saturday. I’m always talking about Newark, the memories and the bittersweet collection of streets, two-family houses, want-to-be skyscrapers and art deco (all seemingly built in the 1930’s) schools which helped to form my notions and awareness of the universe. I know Eisenhower was president when a gang of us Newark kids from the Weequahic section sat on a twenty-step stoop, after a ferocious game of street hockey(with homemade sticks), during the summer solstice, and pondered all the stars in the sky and the spirit that put them there. Newark was my life, roots, dreams and hopes. I know that and will never forget it.

Newark. right before a street hockey game

Tara-Jean Vitale and me reporting at Seaside Heights boardwalk for NJ Discover TV

I was so proud when fellow Newarker, Whitney Houston dazzled the world with her angelic voice and music. On Saturday night, through three courses of dinner and extra wine to delay restaurant departure, I was consumed searching for more information about Whitney Houston; I was in an all too familiar state of denial and disbelief while squeezing the sides of my new IPhone 3G, as if there was a way to squeeze-out what you only wanted to see and hear. I wanted to see her Sunday at the Grammys. I will never understand why celebrities leave us much too soon and I will truly miss her.

I briefly touched on the city of Newark; its electrons, atoms, special city water which breweries loved, detailed facades of city school buildings, crossing guards in pin neat authoritative uniforms, a park with a nine-hole golf course where I once attempted to caddy for a day, a local library that had a certain paper smell and if they could bottle it now, I’d wear the paper cologne scent proudly (just like Seinfeld’s Kramer and his sweaty beach cologne) and my last summer job there in 1967, where I clandestinely spent most of my working time on the third floor roof of an industrial bakery, a mile from Newark Airport. I dreamed the dream of far-away places and finding myself. Watch how fast I move now. I finished Rutgers University in Newark, got married, divorced and remarried and one day woke-up, after 12 years as a Pharmacist, as an eye-glass salesman. Newark helped to form my dreams and sense of self.

i sold this stuff for 30 years

Grappa in case your interested. It's clear liquid.

In the eyeglass business, I soon met Henry, who helped develop my cerebral faculties and inspired a new life-long pursuit of liberty, knowledge, perfection and curiosity. Funny; Henry seemed decades older, wiser and worldlier than me; he was the latter stuff but I was actually older. I would spend the best part of two decades marveling at Henry’s mind and reminding myself of some distant commercial, wanting to be just like Mikey or Henry. I don’t remember the actual moment bells heralded a whole new journey to intellectual pursuits, but Henry made me want to shove as much knowledge into the deep layers of gray matter; just keep learning every day, he kept teaching; about social relationships, or Viktor Frankl and how he survived World War II or about how mission, goals, feedback, rewards and support define leadership performance, or about acquiring a taste for grappa (go Google this Italian wine but don’t necessarily start drinking it. On the other hand I think it makes a good paint remover), or about acquiring a taste for dark chocolate or opening up boutique shops to sell the confection.

a red Seaside Heights arcade open in middle of winter. Skee ball anyone?

Henry could talk football or renaissance and sell anything to anyone. Henry; if you could hear or see me now; you set me on a path because I admired and marveled your vision of the world; I’m arriving albeit slowly, but every step forward I take, where I’m at now, is a direct result of absorbing you all those years. And I thank you in a very public blog. So now I’ve come to the fork in the road and I’m going to take it. It’s segue time. Henry molded me. Now I’m living La Dolce Vita as a journalist myself and coincidentally, Henry and I worked for an Italian company. I wonder if there wasn’t a Fellini around, somewhere in those wonderful majestic mountains in northeast Italy, a long way from Newark.

La Dolce Vita (Fellini’s masterful film) means the sweet life in Italian. The film is a story of a passive journalist’s week in Rome, and his search for both happiness and love that will never come. Generally it’s regarded as the film that signals the transition between Fellini’s earlier neo-realist films and his later artsy films, it is considered one of the great achievements in earthly movie making. So I’m a journalist now, working for NJ Discover TV and Hoopla Ha (Only Good News) and I’ve found happiness in these pursuits and after nearly 37 years, still in love with my wife so I don’t have to search like Marcello Mastroianni’s character, Marcello Rubini, for fleeting love. I’ve got it at home and all over New Jersey in my work. But since I’m playing with concentric circles with the movie, here’s my past week or two roaming and exploring the streets of New Jersey as a journalist and loving it.

my Seaside Park friend Joanna Livingston Seagull

In no particular order except the guiding light of streams of consciousness; last week with Tara-Jean Vitale from NJ Discover TV, we discovered the glorious abandon of the Jersey shore in the depths of winter’s icy grip. Actually you’ve got to love global warming if averse to snow shovels. It hasn’t snowed in Jersey. I just knew it wouldn’t, so I never bought a snow blower because primary source of snow removal (prodigal son) moved to NYC last summer. Tara-Jean and I explored the boardwalk at Seaside Heights. Normally (during summer) there are a hundred thousand boardwalk meanderers; last week one aging couple walked towards an elevated giraffe with only one other human in sight; I thought I saw Alan Ladd from the movie ‘Shane;’ riding away on a horse, so I called out to him “Come back Shane, we want you.” I don’t think he heard me. Later we found an open arcade and surrealism stroked my clean shaven face, as we walked in solitude, bathed in red. One lone employee was’ fixing’ machines and ten vacant skee ball games beckoned.

a mother and children waiting for a season in Seaside

winter boardwalk abandon

Later the same day, under too true blue skies, we journeyed to a cemetery in Marlboro that lies across the road from Marlboro State Psychiatric Hospital which closed its doors years ago. There in a Potters field of sorts, 924 people, who died in the hospital,(from 1931 to 1960) were buried with only small metal or concrete grave markers numbered from 1 to 924. No names on the markers except for a memorial under several trees with all the names and the day they died. I’ve been moved and haunted enough times in my modern era but not quite like this. I stared at the stillness all around and I wondered. It occurred to me that everyone buried there and myself and Tara-Jean all crossed a birth canal and took a first breath. We were all equal for a brief moment in time. What happened here to these people? No families (save for one) to erect a remembrance. How’d they die? Why did a preponderance of people die in 1942? Was there a bad employee who took advantage back then? Gosh I remember the movie ‘The Summer of ’42.’ One of my favorites of all time; perhaps the most bittersweet of them all; I was on that island during the summer of distant war, playing with Hermie, Oscy and Benjie. I still shudder when passing prophylactics in a drug store because of the movie. The druggist scared me. Back to the cemetery; I wonder about too many things; about these human beings who were unlucky in life to have been sent to a mental hospital. I wonder. I do.

the loneliness of a chicken in winter on a Jersey amusement park on boardwalk

more boardwalk winter abandon and an elevated giraffe

I’d travel the world over (mostly stateside). Jump on a balloon and circumnavigate. Look down from high (up). Anything to get back to future. I wondrously did that a few weeks ago on Cookman Ave. 629 Gallery (Patrick Schiavino) for The Art of The Protest Song Occupies Asbury Park to hear amazing singers: Arlan Feiles, Joe Rapolla, William L. Valenti and Frank Lombardi in concert telling the story in words and music of protest songs. Right up my alley coming out of the sixties. How would I define a’ swig of nirvana’: the attached pix. When they sang “This land is your land” at finale. Amazing music. Amazing art. It facilitated my cerebral drifting under the nearby boardwalk and to an occupied park in NYC. Drifting means finding a dreamy state(e=mc2). I did. Yes I am living La Dolce Vita and I am a journalist.

marlboro state psychiatric hospital and a cuckoo's nest top right

On the grounds of Marlboro Psychiatric cemetery. 924 people rest.

Meanwhile back in Asbury Park (a place of ocean and musical renaissance). I attribute part of the city’s rebirth to sprinkled magical electrons and neutrons from nearby Springsteen and Bon Jovi etc.) On Facebook, I met Glenn Goss from the band Underground Junction (band member Steven Bauer played ‘Manny’ next to Pacino’s ‘Tony Montana’ in Scarface). Glenn and I sat on an old kitchen table circa 1952 in the back room (my new private office thanks to Judy and James) of ‘Flying Saucer’s Antiques on Cookman Avenue. Commonality of artists talking about the world and travails and realities; Glenn‘s a musician, I’m a novelist. New soul brothers we are. A few nights later, back in Asbury at the ‘Trinity and the Pope’ Cajun restaurant and bar for some late night jamming watching my new brother Glenn.

Art of Protest Song Finale singing "This Land is Your Land" I was back to the future again.

a tribute to Jersey music on Cookman Ave in Asbury Park

Last week I tossed my faded jeans aside, put on a white, lightly starched shirt from a bag, not a wire hanger and teamed up with my fellow writer, reporter from NJ Discover, Tara-Jean Vitale and went to interview David Goldman(at an event sponsored by the Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce at Sterling Gardens in Matawan) who fought an inspiring international five year battle to be reunited with his son Sean who was abducted to Brazil in 2004. Increased awareness globally to human trafficking and international kidnapping eventually led to key U.S. government officials including President Obama, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg and Congressman Christopher Smith of New Jersey to get involved with the Goldman case.

Judy F from Flying Saucer Antiques

with Glenn Goss in front of Flying Saucer Antiques

‘David Goldman recently wrote ‘A Father’s Love: One Man’s Unrelenting Battle to Bring His Abducted Son Home (Viking/Penguin) and is a co-founder of the ‘Bring Sean Home Foundation (BringSeanHome.org). I found Goldman to be warm, caring, committed and incredibly accessible. He looked at me and said, “I’m simply a father who cares.” And I loved the fact of being a not Fellini-esque journalist while also thinking about my son who just texted, reminding me that Rutgers men’s basketball is playing #2 Syracuse on Sunday. We go to many things together the past 16 years except I don’t think he saw Fellini’s film. I don’t think he even knows who Fellini is. I just realized; it’s probably my fault.

with Glenn Goss and Craig Wisdo in Asbury Park's 'Trinity and the Pope'

Glenn Goss performing 'Ballerina'

As a sub-theme to many of my blogs, living to 150 years, I’ve supplied relevant and timely tidbits of research and examples of my living habits which can bring me as an active card carrying member of USTA(United States Tennis Association) to that lofty trans-humanist goal of longevity. I mentioned the USTA, for part of the 150 attainment is still being able to play tennis at that somewhat advanced age. That’s the essence, key and mighty asterisk for me to living long; playing tennis (albeit doubles) at that age. I love asterisks by the way. Who ever invented it, I owe a debt. Asterisks buy us whatever escape clause we need; it explains and excuses everything. Long live the asterisk.

So if you take three naps a week, you can reduce your chances of a heart attack by 40%. Neuroscientists at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have made a dramatic breakthrough in their efforts to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers’ findings show that use of a drug in mice appears to quickly reverse the pathological, cognitive and memory deficits caused by the onset of Alzheimer’s. And here’s a neat longevity test of 13 questions (and according to my results, I’m on my way to 98):

http://media.nmfn.com/tnetwork/lifespan

Tara-Jean Vitale from NJ Discover TV and David Goldman

David Goldman's Book

Last Thursday I found out about a party for Emily Cook, celebrating her 102^nd birthday in Middletown, NJ yesterday. Of course I went as a NON Fellini journalist, wanting to tell her she’s already 2/3 of the way to my goal of 150. She laughed when I told her my goals. And she just stopped driving a few months ago and has done nothing remarkable in the last 102 years for longevity. I did notice a curiosity. Emily lives at Regal Pointe, which is not assisted-living, nor a nursing home but a building of apartments where seniors live in an active independent environment and pay an all-inclusive rent. At her party there was a nice balance of genders (which I appreciate being masculine) and a large number of folks in their mid and upper nineties. I liked that too and wondered if the living environment contributed.

with Emily Cook, 102, yesterday at birthday party

Emily Cook's birthday party

Finally this spit, scalpers and Springsteen ticket subject: Bruce is performing in the Jersey/New York metro area before he tours Europe. Don’t ask how hard it was to get tickets because he’s playing in only 20,000 seat venues not 80,000 capacity stadiums. Ticketmaster sells the tickets. It’s impossible to get. You wait forever and the on-line prompt tells you 15 minutes; that was weeks ago. But I hate spit in my face and in all our faces. It’s the same as Wall Street spit. And Bankers spit. Moments after the tickets were sold-out, the scalpers and high priced ticket selling folks go on line and start selling Springsteen tickets for enormous profits over face. Everybody yells facial spit. A NJ Congressman threatens. And even Ticketmaster says they will look into the spit still moist on the public’s faces. The spit has dried leaving an apathetic faint forgotten apparition stain. The Kyoto protocol goes unsigned. The Giants won the Super Bowl. I can barely remember who won last year. The referees who obviously fixed the Rutgers-St. Johns basketball game last March go on rewarded and everybody has forgotten the spit. And all the concerts to come will be scalped and Ticketmaster will go on having nice days. Someone will invent a nice antibacterial cloth to wipe the dried spit; maybe a congressman moonlighting.

This was a special few weeks; especially meeting Emily Cook yesterday; her ebullient smiling face and then asking me if she should sit on my lap for the photo-op. She meant it. Then the best: we were talking about origins. She’s from Newark and so am I and so was Whitney Houston. I told Emily that I’d be back next year for her 103^rd birthday party. We shook hands and she squeezed my hands tightly. We smiled at each other and knew I’d be back. But I was Fellini sad walking out through the main entrance because I remembered Whitney Houston won’t.

Bruce Springsteen at Light of Day concert in Asbury Park in January.

A great article about Linda Chorney from her blog:

http://lindachorney.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/thanks-n-j-discover-a-blog-of-blogs-and-some-babbling/

Linda Chorney’s’ Emotional Jukebox’ Album

Also a very worthwhile cause to read up on:

Butterfly Circle of Friends. http://www.butterflycircleoffriends.org/

MY CONTACT INFORMATION

website: http://vichywater.net

Facebook: Cal Schwartz

Twitter: Earthood

Email: earthood@gmail.com

book trailer. hey its 65 seconds long

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qj2ko9gcC_M

IMPORTANT LINKS

If on Facebook check out this NJ Discover site:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000125711074

OR www.njdiscover.com

ARE you in search of another blog that is also outspoken, unique BUT refreshingly, topically unbridled which means uninhibited ???? Meet LINDA CHORNEY:

http://lindachorney.wordpress.com/

Immortality Institute (which represents advocacy and research for unlimited lifespan)

http://www.imminst.org/

LINKS TO VIDEOS. Please Watch.

1. ZOMBIE WALK October 22, 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfFA-y115nc&feature=autoshare

2. VETERANS DAY NJ VIETNAM MEMORIAL

Nov 11, 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYwkaa_xreg&feature=related

3. RANDALL HAYWOOD & VICTOR JONES JAZZ CONCERT

Nov 19, 2011

Randall Haywood and Victor Jones Interview from Chico’s House of Jazz Asbury Park

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNohzH8AHvM&feature=player_embeddedr

Comments (2)

« Newer Posts

Vichy Water – Author's Blog Just another WordPress weblog

May 15, 2012

“I’m Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired” (New Jersey Environmental Federation Conference in Newark). Jersey Acoustic Music (JAM) Awards in Asbury Park. Instead of Whispering “Plastics” I Whispered “Water” to My Son. I am an Eracist. May 15, 2012

April 7, 2012

Old Movie Watching. Hyperthymesia (Superior Autobiographical Memory). On Art in Asbury Park. Me and Danny Glover. Dr. Sketchy and Me. La Marseillaise. April 7, 2012

March 11, 2012

February 14, 2012

A Man Named Henry. Spit, Scalpers and NJ Concert Tickets. Newark NJ (Whitney Houston’s Hometown) La Dolce Vita (My Journalistic Adventures Down the Jersey Shore and Departure from Fellini’s Film) Living to 150 (a few thoughts and an interview with Emily Cook, 102 years old) February 14 2012