More views than MikeChimeri.com! January 27, 2010
Posted by Mike C. in Uncategorized.add a comment
Today, The Mike Chimeri Blog surpassed MikeChimeri.com in views/visits. As I type, MikeChimeri.com has 13,212 visits. The Mike Chimeri Blog has 13,307 views and counting. It took only 21 months to get as many views as my website has in 4 1/2 years.
Thank you to all for visiting this blog.
11:04 PM UPDATE: There were 278 views today, a new one day record.
Evening Jazz on Tuesdays and Thursdays! January 5, 2010
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Music, Personal, Radio.add a comment
Starting tonight, you can hear me host “Evening Jazz” on 88.1 FM WCWP. I’m hosting Tuesdays and, for now, Thursdays from 7PM to 9PM Eastern.
The show runs Monday through Thursday. Mondays and Wednesdays are hosted by Fred Camin.
Listen and enjoy!
1/24 AM UPDATE: I promoted my “Evening Jazz” involvement in a thread at The Magic Island BBS.
Happy 2010! January 1, 2010
Posted by Mike C. in Uncategorized.add a comment
Here’s hoping you all have a happy, healthy, and maybe even wealthy 2010.
Late Fall Blizzard! December 19, 2009
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Personal, Weather.add a comment
Saturday, December 19
Tonight, Long Island and much of the Northeast coast is enduring a late Fall blizzard. Nassau and Suffolk Counties have been under a Blizzard Warning since yesterday and through 11AM tomorrow. Accumulations are expected to be anywhere from 12 to 18, or even 20, inches of snow.
Tomorrow, I’ll be shoveling out.
Coincidentally, we got snow on this day last year, too, but much less and it changed to rain by afternoon. Despite the wintry weather, I was still able to make it to IMAC for David Benoit’s Charlie Brown Christmas concert. It would be my last visit to IMAC before it closed six months later.
In the days ahead, this post will be updated with pictures and final snowfall totals.
Sunday, December 20
The National Weather Service reported 14.0 inches in Seaford. So, I guess that’s what we got here in Wantagh.
I spent two hours shoveling with my mom and sister. Our neighbor was nice enough to lend us his snow blower for my dad to use. It’s a good thing I had all that help. There was no way I would have been able to shovel that much snow by myself.

No, I did not wear those shoes while shoveling. I changed into them when I went inside to take pictures. I wore boots when I was shoveling.
Something December 10, 2009
Posted by Mike C. in Uncategorized.add a comment
It’s been three weeks since my last post. I have nothing worthy to say here, but I don’t want to go any longer without posting. So, here’s something.
FBN finally comes to Cablevision! November 19, 2009
Posted by Mike C. in Media, Personal, TV.add a comment
At long last, after two long years, the Fox Business Network is finally coming coming to Cablevision.
Talking Biz News writes (h/t Inside Cable News):
Fox Business Network is expected to announce Thursday morning that it has secured an agreement with Cablevision Systems Corp.
The deal will expand the business network’s distribution by nearly 3 million subscribers in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut area.
Fox Business will be available to Cablevision subscribers on channel 106 thought the provider’s Optimum-branded communications system.
The last major expansion for the business news channel occurred in December 2008, when it struck a deal with Charter Communications to expand its presence in the Midwest and Northeast regions to nearly 200,000 homes.
It’s also in HD on channel 772, which I just put on as I write this post. I thought this day would never come, but here we are. It looks great so far.
11/26 UPDATE: FBN release (h/t The Imus Times):
Cablevision (CVC) and News Corp.’s (NWSA) FOX Business unveiled an agreement Thursday that will make the business news channel available to more than three million additional households in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
The deal takes effect Thursday and lands FBN on Cablevision’s channel 106 and in HD on channel 772. Cablevision operates the largest U.S. cable cluster and is in more than 4.7 million households and 600,000 businesses in the New York metropolitan area.
FBN is now available in more than 50 million homes.
“We’re pleased to welcome Cablevision as our newest FOX Business affiliate and look forward to providing the essential and up-to-the-minute breaking business news to the greater New York area,” Tim Carry, FBN’s senior vice president of affiliate relations, said in a statement.
The new agreement will expand FBN’s reach into New York’s surrounding area, including Long Island, Westchester, Fairfield and Bergen counties.
“We are pleased to make FOX Business Network available to our iO TV digital cable customers in both standard definition and HD,” John Trierweiler, Cablevision’s senior vice president of product management, said in a statement.
The announcement comes just over a month after FBN, which launched in October 2007, began simulcasting radio personality Don Imus on the channel.
Jackie Mason: No Holds Barred November 7, 2009
Posted by Mike C. in Comedy, Music, Personal.add a comment
This Sunday, I’m going to see Jackie Mason perform at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts.
It might be a little late to write this, but the following was posted at his website:
The Tilles center in Long Island (Greenvale, NY) is offering a special, 2 for 1 discount code for the show on November 8, 2009. To recieve this special discount, enter the code: MANIA when you purchase your tickets. Order your tickets now. This discount and tickets for the show won’t last long! To order tickets on line, click here or call (516) 299-3100.
Also, there was this promotional video:
This is my first time back at Tilles since I saw John Tesh in July, and the second time I’ve seen Jackie perform.
I won’t be taking pictures, but I will update this post with a mini-review after I come back from “Jackie Mason: No Holds Barred.” It should be a good one!
11/9 UPDATE: I had a great time. It was hilarious, as usual. And on the way out, I was able to buy a DVD of the show I went to last year (linked above).
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.

































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!