Rich Monetti
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I am, I write.
Stories (1006)
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A Look Back at the Horace Greeley Activism of Charlotte Bilski
A recounting of Charlotte Bilski and all her good work in Westchester... It's not hard to see. Too often, the world just isn't right. People still struggling in an earthquake's aftermath, Westchester County cutting crucial funds to childcare, and kids mired in unhealthy peer relationships. Just the short list seems overwhelming and the change we'd all like to see leaves us too far removed from the people who run things. Chappaqua, New York's Charlotte Bilski of Horace Greeley High School and the Westchester Youth Council doesn't see it that way. She believes true activism emanates from a much smaller constituency.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in The Swamp
So Alive at Plattsburgh State with Those 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High'
When I went off to Plattsburgh State in 1982, I was terrified. But by the time I came back two weeks later for a wedding, I was locked in. Like a returning hero, I was met by Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and the Cameron Crow film so fit the moment.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Geeks
Remembering Kathy Storfer of the Bedford Hills Library
After years of mindlessly pursuing computers, I finally figured out that I was a writer. So in 2002 I took a journalism course at NYU. I was focused on writing personal essays, and when we were assigned an interview, I almost didn’t do it. But I figured, I’m here, why not. So the task was who, and apparently, I already knew what made a good story.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Education
The Lewisboro Lightning Never Quit as Their Three Year Journey Ends
In baseball when you start slow, a cold, wet spring always stands at the ready as an explanation. Whether the team will warm with the calendar certainly remains a question. But the uncertainty didn’t rule for Lewisboro Little League Coach Jason Pizer as his twelve year olds got caught in between all the April raindrops.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Unbalanced
Hilary Swank Discusses 'P.S. I Love You'
A few years ago, Hilary Swank appeared at Jacob Burn Film Center with PS I Love You. Here's a look back at the evening. On Monday, December 17, at Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, Hilary Swank appeared as part of the center's annual Silverstar fundraiser. Showcasing her most recent film, P.S. I Love You, Swank rolled in a little late to the nervousness of the audience and the program's organizers. Nonetheless, she played off the delay and let everyone easily settle into the shoes of a busy actress playing double time as promoter. "There was a lot of traffic on that little Saw Mill highway," Swank deflected and brought the audience back to a festive mood.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Geeks
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Mt. Kisco Hosts Undoing Racism Workshop
In the fall of 2014, Reverend Kym McNair, Associate Minister at Antioch Baptist Church in Bedford Hills, was excited to receive an invitation to attend a workshop at Fox Lane on diversity, racism and white privilege. Unfortunately, pushback from a vocal part of the community forced school superintendent, Dr. Jere Hochman to cancel the initiative. At the same time, local clergy like herself decided that engaging in the vitriol was not conducive to advancing the best possible outcome.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Education
Patrick Collins of Katonah Is an Actor with Character
In 1973, Patrick Collins’s Bronx background led him to teaching religion at John F. Kennedy High School in Somers. The Bronx upbringing also played a part in becoming a child actor in shows like The Guiding Light. His mother setting him on that course. But the fling with acting in elementary school didn’t have as much a say on his career path than the 13 plays he did as an undergrad at Villanova.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Geeks
Men Working at Mt. Kisco Childcare
The sound of children laughing, playing, and learning in daycares is almost completely synonymous with the nurturing touch of women. Put a man in the mix and the needle may seem destined to jump. But Dawn Meyerski of Mt. Kisco Childcare knows from experience that adding men to the music is a notch that definitely proceeds on the side of harmony.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Education
'The Counselor' with Michael Fassbender Is Sure to get Your Attention
You can't watch The Counselor in the typical, play with your iPhone and catch the subtext in between setting off angry Facebook wars. Cameron Diaz cryptically deliberating with Javier Bardem in the New Mexico desert as they spy their pet cougars, a green clad biker racing to nowhere at 200 mph and Michael Fassbender discussing the reflective quality of nitrogen in the diamond he will spring on Penelope Cruz. This is all topped off by the deal the successful lawyer is about to engage in with a Mexican Drug Cartel. Left a bit a miss, you could easily be lulled to sleep amongst a very sedate dialogue. I was and almost turned it off. But that made the Ridley Scott film all the more chilling as I watched a second time, and the beginning and end were seared together in real time.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Criminal
'A Fish Story' Helps the Bereaved Heal the Pain in Pound Ridge
The death of Sam Roberts’ father in 1985 left the Pound Ridge resident an angry young man. On the other hand, it wasn’t long before he started to channel his grief, and a screenplay soon emerged. Reaching the tail end of the story meant a long journey against the current, though, and the film didn't make it into the can until 2013. Successes in a number of film festivals followed, and A Fish Story just secured a distributor. So it can now be found on Netflix and in 3,000 Walmart stores. Of course, having a Hollywood star attached to the credits would certainly make mass consumption much easier. But Roberts has come to realize that the healing nature of the film might not have come across as easily with that type of familiarity.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Geeks
Sculptor Christopher Green Sees the Potential in Each Piece of Stone
A glimpse into Christopher Green’s art studio might seem akin to stumbling through a rock quarry. “They are all just like boulders. You wouldn’t be able to see the differences,” says the Somers Sculptor. That said, any addition of unvarnished geology to his stash is like a Christmas morning gift. Only the thrill involved in shedding the exterior takes place before he ever puts chisel to the marble, alabaster or limestone encasing.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Journal
