Rich Monetti
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I am, I write.
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'The Walking Dead' is More About Now and the Beginning of the World Than the End
Photo by Gage Skidmore Zombies ate my neighbors and are everywhere. So much so, that all I could think was "When will we be done with all this?" as The Walking Dead commercials ran incessantly. But I was told that it held great thought provoking science fiction currency so I decided to take a look after several years on the sidelines.
By Rich Monetti3 years ago in Geeks
Mahopac Tenor Drummer Enjoys Stepping in Place with Bagpipe Band
Photo by Jon Wick The Blackthorn Pipe Band can usually be found ascending 5th Avenue every March 17 in New York City, where they proudly march to the Irish spirit of St. Patrick. They also answer the call for a number of other parades and celebrations in Yonkers, Peekskill and White Plains throughout the calendar year. Either way, each piper knows how off they sound if going without practice for a week or so. That said, everyone else in listening proximity is well aware if the lapse lags past a seven day stretch, according to the band’s tenor drummer, Cathleen Benson of Mahopac, New York. But there’s more involved in being part of this type of band than just having the pipes to make this ancient Irish instrument sing triumphantly.
By Rich Monetti3 years ago in Beat
The Real Dracula – A Saint in His Homeland
Photo by David Stanley If you ever happen to go to the resting place of Vlad III in Snagov, Romania, one must tread lightly. You definitely do not want to offend the saintly deference the sight and its occupant are given. Statues of this iconic medieval prince are in no short supply either. Almost 600 years later, and to the world over, old Vlad goes by another name that puts him in an entirely different light—Dracula.
By Rich Monetti3 years ago in Humans
White Plains High School Athletes to Remember
Photo by Tim Reckmann White Plains QB ready to Step into Starting Role White Plains Quarterback Jeff Avery looks back to last year’s game against Suffern as his high point. "It was the most playing time I got—cleanup duty in a rout," said the two year backup. But the inevitable roster turnover has him ready to take the helm and make a mess of opponents this fall.
By Rich Monetti3 years ago in Unbalanced
Giada Valenti Brings the Romance of Italy in Her Music
Photo by Kumar's Edit Born in Venice, Giada Valenti never sat down and made a conscious decision to become a singer. The Valenti family was inherently musical and her grandmother was a well known professional singer in the local community. Clearly rubbing off, Valenti took the stage by four-years-old, and was writing musical notes before she could pen the alphabet. Performance and music part of her DNA, she studied music theory at the Santa Cecilia Music School in Venice, and got her degree at Giuseppe Tartini in Trieste.
By Rich Monetti3 years ago in Beat
Brian Dennehy, 'The Island of Dr. Moreau,' and 'The Making of Monsters' at the Bedford Playhouse
Photo by The Huntington On Thursday February 21, The Bedford Playhouse hosted a live theatrical event with Golden Globe Winner Brian Dennehy, Emmy Award Winning Screenwriter Ron Hutchinson and screen actor Kevin O’Brien. The trio read Hutchinson’s musings on The Island of Dr. Moreau and a 1996 disaster that starred Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer. But despite almost looking like a self-inflicted catastrophe, Hutchinson’s place as a credited writer did at least reassure with one recurring message.
By Rich Monetti3 years ago in Geeks
JoJo Degl Helps Bring Home Gaelic football Championship
Photo by Sophia Degl In 2022, JoJo Degl celebrated a section one lacrosse championship, and crossing the Hudson to defeat Somers was no bother. However, it wasn’t the only body of water she traversed this year, and making the New York Gaelic football team, she traveled to Dublin for the John West Feile Championships. An amazing accomplishment for each of the 24 girls, the New Yorkers were probably happy just to compete in Ireland’s game, and once all was said and done, the team followed suit by simply going to McDonald’s. Still, the Irish on hand were taken aback and not just because of the New York jerseys.
By Rich Monetti3 years ago in Unbalanced
Part I: My Five Most Memorable New York Sports Minutes
Photo by Peter Roan Here’s part one of My Five Most Memorable New York Sports Minutes. Like it’s evil stepsister, my cherished moments came when I was younger, and for me, winning the title has always been anti-climatic to actually getting there. This is number one.
By Rich Monetti3 years ago in Unbalanced
Family Connections in White Plains Helps Families Through Borderline Personality Disorder
Photo by RenaudPhoto Imagine that the island stranding Tom Hanks in the film Castaway triggered a genetic predisposition to borderline personality disorder. The possibility of symptoms manifesting would be about as likely as his one way conversations with "Wilson" turning interactive. "It plays out within close relationships," says Social Worker Perry Hoffman. This leaves the patient in a consistent state of fearing abandonment, rage, distorted perceptions, self mutilation and suicidal behavior. But what of family members trying to navigate their loved ones and themselves through a disorder that turns lives upside down.
By Rich Monetti3 years ago in Longevity
At NYU: Howard Gardner Shares His Wisdom on Theory of Multiple Intelligences
Photo by GreenFlames09 Recently, Howard Gardner brought his theory of multiple intelligences to NYU. Mary Brabeck, Dean of the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human development had the difficult task of succinctly introducing Dr. Gardner. “When it comes to Howard Gardner, there is no briefly,” she said of the 1981 MacArthur Fellowship and holder of 20 honorary degrees.
By Rich Monetti3 years ago in Education
13-Year Old John Jay Middle School Student Makes Magic with Her Flute
Photo by Angela Thomas 13-year old Rachel Rodgers of John Jay Middle School can offer an opinion on the flute player that most readily comes to mind for those of us raised on classic rock. "I've only heard him a few times," said the eighth grader of Jethro Tull, "and he's really good." Sounds a little light on the Ian Anderson, and makes you wonder what they're teaching these kids in school today?
By Rich Monetti3 years ago in Beat
Jo Koy goes from Door to Door Comedian to Hitting the Big Time
Photo by Manouel Roman Comedian Jo Koy hit it big when he received a standing ovation on the tonight Show in 2005. His ascension prior to that point meant he literally had to be on his toes just to get by. Renting out 1000 seat venues in Vegas, Koy would sell tickets to coworkers at his three jobs for $20 a piece. Learning quickly it was much harder to get the money after the show, he actually went door to door to collect the cash several hours beforehand. Turning a small profit most of the time, his actual comedy education also came on the cheap. In other words, the persistent downfalls found only in his home town of Seattle led to the comedic rise he enjoys today.
By Rich Monetti3 years ago in Geeks
