Category Archives: Cover Story

Cover Story, General

Hoboken’s New Reality Stars – A&E’ “Storage Wars: New York” stars Chris Morelli and Tad Eaton of The Frayed Knot

By Sally Deering    

Photo of Tad Eaton and Chris Morelli in front of  The Frayed Knot by Sally Deering

Tad Eaton and Chris Morelli in front of thier furniture and bric-a-brac emporium in Hoboken, NJ
Tad Eaton and Chris Morelli in front of thier furniture and bric-a-brac emporium in Hoboken, NJ

Move over “Cake Boss”! Chris Morelli and Tad Eaton, owners of The Frayed Knot, a vintage furniture and brick-a-brack emporium in Hoboken are fast becoming the new darlings of reality TV. Friends and business partners, Morelli and Eaton star in “Storage Wars: New York” an A&E TV reality show that follows an eclectic group of ‘treasure hunters’ from the Metropolitan area who search for hidden bounty in repossessed storage units. It’s like a twist on that old game show “Let’s Make a Deal”. You get to see what’s behind Door No. 1 but you don’t know the true value of your deal until you rip open the boxes and pick through the spoils.

 

The cast of Storage Wars: New York
The cast of Storage Wars: New York

Photo Courtesy of A & E TV

Making its January 2013 debut with six episodes, “Storage Wars: New York” is a spin-off of the “Storage Wars” franchise which also includes “Storage Wars: Texas.”  The New York cast features Joe Pauletich of Queens, Candy Olsen and Courtney Wagner of Brooklyn, Mike Braiotta of the Bronx and Morelli and Eaton of Hoboken. Auctioneer is New Yorker John Luke. 

In the debut episode, “Beg, Borough and Steal” several cast members including Morelli and Eaton bid on and buy goodies inside three separate storage units. The girls unearth several pairs of high-heeled shoes and possibly a pole dancer’s costume; Joe ‘P’ discovers some interesting art and photography; and Morelli and Eaton excavate a brand new gas grill and two French chests called commodes they bring back to their shop, paint bright red and put out for sale in one of The Frayed Knot’s splashy showrooms. Continue reading Hoboken’s New Reality Stars – A&E’ “Storage Wars: New York” stars Chris Morelli and Tad Eaton of The Frayed Knot →

Cover Story

MOBSTER TALES-Jon D’Amore Who Grew Up in Secaucus, Pens Page Turner on Jersey Wiseguys and The Casino Caper

By Sally Deering

If you grew up in New Jersey it’s likely you knew somebody who had a friend whose second cousin had a brother-in-law whose uncle was connected to “the Mob.” Born in Jersey City and raised in Union City and then Secaucus, Jon D’Amore had family members who were “connected”. An accomplished musician and songwriter, D’Amore kept mental notes of a Las Vegas casino caper that went down back in the day and tells the fascinating and sometimes nail-biting story in his new book, “The Boss Always Sits in the Back.” Here’s an excerpt:

“This is my story, based on actual events, of living on the fringe of what some people call ‘the Mafia.’ You see, several members of my immediate family were connected. Connected simply means that through blood, honor or business…you have a direct connection to the Cosa Nostra, the Mafia, Our Thing, La Famiglia, the Mob. Continue reading MOBSTER TALES-Jon D’Amore Who Grew Up in Secaucus, Pens Page Turner on Jersey Wiseguys and The Casino Caper →

Cover Story

Back to the Future-Exploring Family Lineage and Filling in the Blanks

by Sally Deering

 “Who am I?” It’s a question people have pondered since the dawn of time. And these days, it’s not enough to know how you fit in with your immediate family; people are now turning to websites like Ancestry.com to dig up the roots of their family’s tree. This trend is so popular, hit TV shows like “Finding your Roots” on PBS and “Who Do You Think You Are?” on NBC are attracting high ratings from viewers tuning in to watch stars like Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Bacon, Edie Falco, Rob Lowe and Rosie O’Donnell discover the secrets of their family’s past.

 In November 2010, the New Jersey Room of the Jersey City Free Public Library and its staff were featured in one of the episodes of NBC’s “Who Do You Think You Are?” when O’Donnell came to the New Jersey Room to do genealogy search into her Irish background.  The show took O’Donnell on a journey that included a trip to Ireland, where she visited a workhouse where one of her relatives had lived. Both “Finding your Roots” and “Who Do You Think You Are” are filled with touching moments like these, and for viewers, the shows have helped a renewed interest in the past so that we might learn more about ourselves. Continue reading Back to the Future-Exploring Family Lineage and Filling in the Blanks →

Cover Story, Dancing, Live On Stage, Local Live Theater

RARE CHINA-Shen Yun 2012 presents 5,000 years of Chinese Culture at Lincoln Center – 5 Nights Only!

 

By Sally Deering

 It may seem like an adventurous task – presenting 5,000 years of Chinese culture in one show – and that’s exactly what Shen Yun 2012 sets out to do on Wednesday Jan. 11th –to – Sun, Jan. 15th, at the David H. Koch Theater in Lincoln Center. Prepare to be dazzled!

 Told through dance, music and song and performed in more than 100 cities around the world, Shen Yun is a collection of short performance pieces that interpret the legends of Chinese culture’s creation and history over 5,000 years.

One of the writers and Master of Ceremonies is Leeshai Lemish, who has been with the Shen Yun Performing Arts troupe, based in Orange County, New York, since its inception in 2006. Lemish has emceed more than 400 Shen Yun performances in English and Chinese, has traveled with the show all over the world and calls Jersey City home.

 “We have 90 performers and that includes a dance company – 40 to 50 dancers – a full orchestra, vocalists, technical crew and we have three companies that size that tour at the same time in the states and all over the world, ” Lemish says. Continue reading RARE CHINA-Shen Yun 2012 presents 5,000 years of Chinese Culture at Lincoln Center – 5 Nights Only! →

Celebrity Interview, Celebrity Interviews, Cover Story, General

Peter Perrotta: The Singing Wall Street Consultant


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 Peter Perrotta, AKA Tony Roman on “Gene Simmons “Family Jewels” Keeps His Toes in Show Business and His Eyes on Wall Street

By Sally Deering

Take a drive with Peter Perrotta and he’ll sing in the car. Visit his New York office on the 50th floor overlooking Manhattan and he’ll burst into song working at his computer. Perrotta sings like some people talk – it’s a reflex, he just  can’t help himself – the guy’s a natural.

And he’s great at it, too. On a CD he recently recorded, Perrotta sings tunes from the Great American Songbook and his voice has soul, passion and ranges a couple of octaves. He can sound like his heroes Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra, yet  his sound is pure Perrotta, big, robust and full of life.

 

Continue reading Peter Perrotta: The Singing Wall Street Consultant →

Celebrity Interview, Cover Story

Actor Paul Sorvino Sings and Talks to the River View Observer


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sept14thcovrvo-smallComing Soon: Film and Broadway star in Concert at Loew’s Jersey City

 By Sally Deering

 Best known as mob boss Paulie Cicero, who cooked Italian dishes for his crew in the film “Goodfellas” and many other acting roles in film, on Broadway and TV, Paul Sorvino  is more than just an actor – he’s a sculptor, painter, writer, director, chef and opera singer.  And on Thurs., Oct. 27 and Fri., Nov. 4, Sorvino’s fans are in for a treat when he takes to the stage at Loew’s Jersey City in “Paul Sorvino Sings!” a concert where Sorvino sings arias and Neapolitan folk songs and tells stories of his life as an actor. Continue reading Actor Paul Sorvino Sings and Talks to the River View Observer →

Cover Story

TALES OF OUR CITY: Jersey City becomes the Main Character at Upcoming Book Fair

By Sally Deering

Alina Oswald's Infinite Lights
Alina Oswald's Infinite Lights

 Like a femme fatale in a “dime novel” Jersey City has had its share of bumpy roads, raw deals and men that done her wrong. But the past is the past and take a look at her now, bustling with new construction and waterfront with a skyline of skyscrapers that have given the old girl a much-needed facelift and a shot at the brass ring.  

At the 4th annual Book Fair hosted by Jersey City’s Free Public Library on Sat, Sept. 10th in Jersey City’s beautiful Van Vorst Park, twenty local and no-so-local writers will exhibit their newly published books – all with some connection to Jersey City.  Many of these writers have taken their experiences and/or fascination with Jersey City’s past and placed them on the pages of their new books, not just as a backdrop to the action, but as one of the characters that grabs your attention like a cold-blooded blonde with a pearl-handled Derringer. Continue reading TALES OF OUR CITY: Jersey City becomes the Main Character at Upcoming Book Fair →

Cover Story, Dining

Hell’s Kitchen-Cooking for the Chef of Wrath!


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  Two Hudson County Chefs Face Turbulent Chef Gordon Ramsey of “Hell’s Kitchen” in their Quest to win the Top Prize on Season Nine
 By Sally Deering

Brendan Heavey
Brendan Heavey

Will Lustberg
Will Lustberg

 He screams, breaks plates and throws food – three fabulous reasons to watch Chef Gordon Ramsey, the King of Reality Cooking Shows as he sets ablaze Season 9 of the hit competitive cooking show
“Hell’s Kitchen.” (Premiering Monday, July 18 at 8 pm on FOX) 
Hell's Kitchen Season Nine
Hell's Kitchen Season Nine

Here in Hudson County, we’re lucky to have two local chefs to root for — Brendan Heavey of Hoboken, and Will Lustberg of Jersey City – who with 16 other chefs from across the U.S. chopped, seared, boiled and broiled behind the stove and under the piercing eye – and sometimes brutal tongue — of Chef Gordon Ramsey for the top prize of head chef at BLT Steak in New York City. Continue reading Hell’s Kitchen-Cooking for the Chef of Wrath! →

Cover Story

Summer Fun Jersey Style


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Just for you Free Shows, Movies and Other Happenings on the Jersey Side

By Sally Deering

Well, its summertime and that means blowing up beach balls and dashing to the sandy Jersey shore to slather on sunblock and frolic in the Atlantic’s waves. But for urban dwellers who can’t slip away for some beach blanket bingo, there are plenty of fun and free activities in Hudson to help you enjoy the sunny days and balmy nights ahead

 Hoboken’s Cultural Affairs Department offers movies, kids’ shows, even Shakespeare in the park

 Family Fun

Free Outdoor Performances 

Shipyard Park, 13th Street & McFeeley Drive

June 28 – Mother Goose, rhymes, songs and stories, www.after3theatre.org; July 12 - The Hey Ya Brothers, slapstick comedy, www.heyyabrothers.com; July 19 - Yosi, kids sing-along, www.yosimusic.com; July 26 – The Fuzzy Lemons, family-friendly rock band, www.thefuzzylemons.com; Aug 2 – Music Together, music and movement for babies and toddlers, www.musictogether.com; Aug 9 - Big Jeff & the Bouncy People, singer-songwriter, www.bigjeffmusic.com; Aug 16 - Starfish, kids/family band, www.myspace.com/rockwithstarfish; Aug 23 – Americana Family Jamboree, bluegrass and folksongs, www.facebook.com/americanafamilyjamobree

  Continue reading Summer Fun Jersey Style →

Cover Story

Golden Girls of Doo-Wop- The Carmelettes inspire new play








New Play at LaMama in New York based on The Carmelettes, the 1950s All-Girl Doo-Wop Group from Jersey City

The Carmelettes: Angela LaPrete, Vicky Cevetello and Virginia Verga
The Carmelettes: Angela LaPrete, Vicky Cevetello and Virginia Verga


By Sally Deering

Susan Murphy
Susan Murphy
When I think of girl groups that influenced my teen years, my mind goes straight to The Shangri-Las, four big-haired girls from Queens and their 1964 hit “Leader of the Pack.” That rocking tune about an ill-fated crush on a biker boy became the song for 60s teen-girl angst, inspiring us to iron our hair, slather our lips in Yardley pinks and Frug in white go-go boots.  
 
Before the Shangri-Las and girl groups of the 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond, there were girl doo- whop groups and one fondly remembered was The Carmelettes, a Jersey City trio of teen girls christened their girl-group name by their parish priest at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. In 1959, the girls Angela LaPrete, Vicky Cevetello and Virginia Verga recorded two songs, “My Foolish Heart” and “Promise Me a Rose,”  and in 1960 “Aching for You” and “Something Tells Me I’m in Love.”  They sang backup for Neil Sedaka’s hit “Oh Carol,” and Carole King’s hit “Oh Neil.” And when the group regrouped under the name “The Kittens,” (after Verga left for a solo career,) the LaPrete and Cevetello sang backup on several songs including the Top 40 hit “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” – which bombarded the airwaves during the summer of 1960. When the group disbanded in the 1961, the girls went on to start other careers and raise families. LaPrete married James Murphy (folks just know him as “Murphy”) and the couple raised their  daughter Susan, who went on to earn a BFA in Drama at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and become a singer in clubs and cabarets while performing in Off-Off Broadway plays. A drama teacher at Snyder High School, Susan Murphy continues to reinvent herself and her latest career turn is her new play, “Girl/Group:  A Daughter’s Tale” a personal piece about her mother’s life as a doo-whop singer and the affect it has had on Murphy’s life. (“Girl/Group: A Daughter’s Tale” features Murphy along with Tom Cappadona, Drew Citron, Alison Scaramella, and Jenna Smith and is directed by Mario Giacalone. It opens at LaMama’s The Club in New York City on June 17 and runs through June 26.)

Continue reading Golden Girls of Doo-Wop- The Carmelettes inspire new play →