Long Island Radio & TV Day 2010 April 19, 2010
Posted by Mike C. in Media, Music, News, Personal, Radio, TV, Weather.2 comments
Saturday, for the second year in a row, I was on hand at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts for Long Island Radio & TV Day, presented by WCWP and the Long Island Wireless Historical Society. Last year, I didn’t show up until around 12PM. This year, I was there from start to finish. As a result, I saw more speakers, met more people, and took nearly twice as many pictures.
So, let’s take a trip through the day in pictures.
The north entrance:
The lobby:
The exhibits began in the lobby…
…and continued in the Atrium:
I wish I remembered Morse Code. I typed something into the bugs below…
…but I don’t know what.
Jay Elzweig’s exhibit:
WRHU:
Dawn-Marie Feiler and Angelica Ayroso worked the Telecare table:
I spoke to them a few times; they were very nice.
Connie Currie:
The WCWP exhibit:
Bill Epperhart, 1948-2000:
Kevin Jeffreys, 1949-2008:
Chloe from WBLI:
Bill Tynan speaking with voiceover talents Mike Pollock and Peter Rofé:
There were four lectures in the Patrons Lounge. The first was “Emergency Communications: The Role of Amateur Radio,” with Jim Mezey of W2KFV:
Next, “Woodstock Radio & Me” with Pete Fornatale, an alumnus of WFUV-FM and WNEW-FM; currently hosting “Mixed Bag” on ‘FUV:
Pete also signed copies of his book, “Back to the Garden: the Story of Woodstock.” Here, he poses with Bill Sobel:
Rick Mide speaking with Pete:
In the lobby, the South Shore Syncopators recreated a 1930s radio broadcast:
Back in the Lounge, the third lecture: “The Theremin: the history of the first electronic music instrument,” with Kip Rosser:
Kip speaking about the instrument’s inventor, Professor Leon Theremin:
The last lecture was by Professor Herb Norman: “I Love a Mystery: A look back at the great radio mysteries”:
Among the mysteries discussed, and excerpts used, “The Shadow” and “Lights Out”:
Clay Cole, of “The Clay Cole Show,” was also at LIR&TV Day. He signed copies of his bestselling book, “Sh-Boom!: The Explosion of Rock ‘n’ Roll (1953-1968).” Here he is with Russ “Famous Amos” DiBello and Anita Bonita:
WNYG alum Ron Roberts and Howie Zeidman also spent a few minutes with Clay:
Bill Mozer:
Throughout the day, Glen Cove High School’s GCHS-TV operated a live webcast for the LIR&TVD website:
Except during interviews, an overhead camera focused on the heart of the Atrium:
(Did you notice me above the word “Radio” taking a picture of the monitor?)
Interviews were conducted by Maura “Bernie” Bernard. The guests were former “American Idol” contestant, and C.W. Post alumnus, Bryce Larsen:
Tracy Burgess and Lisa Ritchie:
Clay Cole:
Roger Luce of WBAB-FM, an alum of WCWP:
Don K. Reed of WCBS-FM:
And Eliot Goshman, yet another WCWP alumnus:
Here, we see engineer Cary Breiner, Bill Mozer, director Howie Zeidman, and NJ Burkett:
NJ speaking with Cary, Mitch Lebe, Bill Diehl of ABC News Radio, and John Von Soosten of Sirius XM:
Bill Dillane poses with Anita Bonita and Famous Amos:
Lisa Ritchie, Keith Allen, Anita Bonita, and Famous Amos:
Bill Sobel poses with Fresh 102.7’s Robin Marshall:
Ted David was next:
WLNY TV 10/55 anchor Michelle Imperato introduces herself to John Bohannon; David Plotkin of 1010 WINS:
John Leisher of WCBS 880, Ted David, Bill Diehl:
WLNY meteorologist David Weiss, Michelle Imperato, camera operator Joe Marcus:
Anita Bonita, Big Tom Lawler of WMTR, Famous Amos, Mike Erickson:
Jim Cutler shoots an interview with Ted David…
…and another with Jamie Mazzo:
I was also interviewed. I hope I made sense in it.
Michelle’s TV 10/55 co-anchor Richard Rose (center, in front of Ted) was also there:
Jerry Barmash interviewed Bill Mozer for his website, NY Media Examiner:
A tour of WCWP:
Back at Tilles…
We conclude with pictures I appeared in. We start with fellow radio fan Andrea Wiener:
My fellow WCWP alumna, Jamie Mazzo:
Mitch Lebe:
Roger Luce:
Jim Cutler:
Don K. Reed:
Anita Bonita:
Don “The Record Handler” Tandler:
Keith Allen:
And Robin Marshall:
Thank you to everyone involved. It was a lot of fun. See you next year.
NOTE: If I made any mistakes or left information out, let me know in the comments and I’ll update as soon I can. Thank you very much.
4/20, 12:45 AM UPDATE:
4/22 UPDATE: Jerry Barmash’s recap is up. I’m in it:
Mike Chimeri is a two-nights a week jazz host at C.W. Post’s WCWP. He is another person who circles the calendar each year for the LIRTD.
“I love it. It’s interesting to learn about the history of radio…and the history of wireless communication,” Chimeri said.
He also enjoyed meeting the amateur radio enthusiasts, along with the professionals from radio and TV.
All of that is true.
12/18 UPDATE: Today, I was saddened to learn of Clay Cole’s sudden passing. He will be missed.
Powerful Nor’easter March 17, 2010
Posted by Mike C. in News, Personal, Weather.add a comment
Last weekend, mostly Saturday, a powerful Nor’easter tore through the Northeastern United States.
Among those hard hit was Long Island, specifically Nassau and Western Suffolk Counties. Wind gusts were as high as 75 miles per hour. The highest gust in Wantagh, where I live, was 67 mph. Many trees and power lines were downed, among other damaging effects.
Some houses escaped with little damage and retained their power. The rest lost it for an extended period. Our house lost power shortly before 9:00 Saturday night.
The damage was so extensive that the Long Island Power Authority, LIPA, had to bring in crews from out-of-state to assist them. They came from places like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and even Canada. I hear crews working outside as I type. I can’t thank them all enough for the work they’ve done and continue to do.
I spent Sunday afternoon through Monday evening with a family friend that had power. Power was restored to my house at 6:45 PM Monday with cable returning a few hours later; in fact, minutes after I returned home.
Other affected areas took longer to get their power back or are still waiting, as I type, to get it back.
Michael Rothbard passes away November 1, 2009
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Music, News, Pets, Theatre.4 comments
11/4 UPDATE: Michael’s dog Cleo passed away today. IMAC’s statement is at the bottom of this post.
Early Friday evening, I had been alerted that Michael Rothbard, Executive Director of IMAC (Inter-Media Art Center) in Huntington, New York, had passed away in the morning. It was a shocking, sudden, and sad loss.
The following was posted on the IMAC website:
Executive Director and guiding light Michael Rothbard passes away
Oct 30 2009It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of IMAC Theater’s Executive Director and guiding light Michael Rothbard.
*Service Information*
Please join us for a celebration of the life of Michael Rothbard on:
Monday November 2nd, 2009
12:30pm
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington (UUFH)
109 Browns Rd.
Huntington NY 11743
(631) 427-9547
www.uufh.orgInternment will follow immediately at Huntington Rural Cemetery
555 New York Ave
Huntington, NY 11743-4215In lieu of flowers & gifts, Kathie [Bodily] wishes donations to be made:
The Michael Rothbard Young Musicians Scholarship
Checks & money-orders made payable to:
IMAC
32 Crescent Drive
Huntington, NY 11743If you would like to pay your condolences to Kathie & the family, please feel free to stop by:
Tuesday November 3rd 2-4pm, 7-9pm
Wednesday November 4th 2-4pm, 7-9pm
Thursday November 5th 2-4pm, 7-9pm
32 Crescent Drive, Huntington, NY 11743Michael Rothbard, co-founder of the Inter Media Art Center (IMAC) in 1974 with Kathie Bodily and a dynamic force in the cultural life of Long Island for the past 34 years, passed away suddenly this morning (Oct. 30th) at Huntington Hospital.
Born in Brooklyn in 1946, Michael was an independent video producer before pursuing his vision of establishing a space where artists in all media could create and showcase their work. This vision evolved from a small media access center in the basement of a home in Halesite to an abandoned movie theater on New York Avenue in Huntington Village that became the premiere concert venue on Long Island.
Before closing its doors this past June, IMAC had inspired many imitators, but none could reproduce the spirit that made IMAC so special. That spirit was Michael, whose enthusiasm, generosity, ingenuity and indomitable energy embraced IMAC’s crew, audience, performers and especially Kathie, his loving partner.
Michael is survived by his perfect mate, Kathie Bodily, Cleo, their Golden Retriever, his sister, Lynn Carr and his niece, Melody Carr.
I’ll miss Michael very much. I know everyone else that knew him feels the same way.
11/4 UPDATE, also posted on IMAC website:
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”
(Will Rogers)
On November 4th, 2009 beloved dog of Michael Rothbard and Kathie Bodily, Cleo, joined Michael in the loving embrace of the cosmos. She lived a full life, in her last days surrounded by family and friends- a joy to the end. She will rest in peace with Michael…faithful companions on a journey together.
1/26/11 UPDATE: If anyone reading this post knows where Kathie can be contacted, please pass that information along in the comment thread below. Thank you.
MikeChimeri.com 
Bold & Fresh Tour at Westbury! January 22, 2010
Posted by Mike C. in Commentary, Media, News, Personal, Radio, TV.3 comments
Tomorrow night, Bill O’Reilly and Glenn Beck’s Bold & Fresh Tour kicks off at the Capital One Theatre at Westbury. The show sold out only days after tickets went on sale. The same can be said for all other venues on the tour:
Actually, as I type, the early Pasadena show still has tickets available, but I doubt that will be true much longer.
The Norfolk show will be simulcast live in movie theaters across the United States. For more information, check the Bold Fresh Tour website.
On the website, the tour is billed this way:
I will be at the Westbury show tomorrow night. It’ll be the first time I’ve seen either O’Reilly or Beck in person. It should be great.
I’ll update this post after the show.
1/23, 10:55 PM UPDATE: The show was excellent.
The start of it was delayed about 15 minutes because some radical protesters wouldn’t allow cars into the parking lot. Traffic was held up during that time, resulting in a long stationary line of cars, including me and my dad, from the parking lot entrance to the Northern State Pkwy. exit ramps in both directions. After the delay, the parking lot was full and attendants made us park in a neighboring lot.
Just as we got to our seats inside, the show began. We were four rows from the stage and four seats from the aisle where Glenn and Bill walked to and from the stage.
Glenn came out first, dressed casually with a mic attached to his ear. He spoke for 20 minutes. After that, it was Bill’s turn. I knew he was 6’4″, but I had no idea how tall that looked up close until tonight. Bill was in a suit and tie and held a wireless mic.
Then, there was a 20-minute intermission, during which, I tried in vain to get to the concession stand because the lobby was packed.
Following the intermission, both Bill and Glenn sat in chairs and interviewed each other while the stage revolved.
There seemed to be more Glenn fans than Bill fans, but that’s okay.
I’m happy to report there weren’t any hecklers during the show.
1/25 UPDATE: Dave Marcus had his own recap yesterday in Newsday. Bill replied to the recap tonight on “The O’Reilly Factor” in the Talking Points Memo:
FOXNews.com Video
FOXNews.com Transcript
BillOReilly.com Summary
The tour website links here for info on the movie theater simulcast. It’s live this Saturday at 8PM Eastern with an encore replay next Tuesday at the same time. Three Long Island theaters will carry the simulcast live: Port Washington Cinemas, Farmingdale Multiplex, and Island 16: Cinema de Lux in Holtsville. Farmingdale Multiplex and Island 16 will also carry the encore along with Westbury Stadium 12.
1/26 UPDATE: The following viewer e-mails were read on “The Factor” tonight:
Bob DeFliese, Garden City, NY: “Bill, my wife and I attended the Bold Fresh tour show at Westbury and your talking points was spot on. Newsday distorted what happened. Neither you nor Beck made any political play for the Republican Party. You were fair, entertaining, and informative.”
Bridget O’Shea Burns, West Springfield, MA: “Bill, my husband and I drove down to see the Bold Fresh show. You and Beck have great on-stage chemistry and I was quite surprised how funny you guys were.”
Bill’s response: “Well, I appreciate the good review, Bridget. Glad it was worth the trip. By the way, the Bold Fresh show [in Norfolk, VA] is playing at nearly 500 movie theaters this coming Saturday night. Check the theaters out on the website BoldFreshTour.com. BoldFreshTour.com.”
Marissa Singer, Farmingville, NY: “O’Reilly, I know Beck teased you about wearing a suit during the show, but I thought you looked dashing.”
Bill’s response: (grinning): “Well, Beck is just jealous, Marissa. We all know that. Thanks for coming to see us.”
Thank you, Bill and Glenn, for such a great show. Thanks also to those that have checked out this post after I linked to it in the comment thread for this post at Olbermann Watch.
1/27 UPDATE: Thanks further to those that were referred from Johnny Dollar’s Place.
1/29 UPDATE: Tonight’s Talking Points Memo and At Your Beck & Call segment flashed back to last Saturday’s show at Westbury.
The Bold Fresh site has news regarding the Norfolk show tomorrow:
As a result, the movie simulcast site said this:
2/3 UPDATE: Excerpts from the simulcast Tampa show were shown Monday night on “The Factor”:
I’m hoping the simulcast is released on DVD or Blu-ray.
8/2 UPDATE: Bill and Glenn returned to Westbury on Saturday night. I was not there, but plenty of people were. It was another sold out event. Mediaite’s Steve Krakauer and Glynnis MacNicol were among the crowd and have their take on the show here and here.
The following e-mails were read tonight on “The O’Reilly Factor”:
Marilyn Fulton, Kings Park, NY: “O’Reilly, attended the Bold Fresh tour at the Westbury Theatre. Loved it. You and Beck are a great team.”
Bill’s response: “Well, I appreciate that, Marilyn.”
Gail Fischler, Bellmore, NY: “Saw the show at Westbury. You were hysterical, O’Reilly.”
Bill’s response: “In a humorous vein, right, Gail? I wasn’t literally hysterical, was I? I don’t think I was, but…never know what that word means.”
I’ll answer that: it was indeed a humorous vein. Bill was joking, of course.
1/22/11 UPDATE: The simulcast of last year’s Bold Fresh Tour event in Tampa is now available on DVD!