An Interview with local actress Tammy Blanchard
Photo: Ava Jean Entertainment(c)
After the presents have been opened on Christmas Day, it’s always fun to go out and catch a movie. That’s what Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp and Stephen Sondheim fans will be doing when the movie musical INTO THE WOODS opens nationwide on Dec. 25th.
Meryl Streep stars as the Wicked Witch and a troupe of wickedly talented stars including Johnny Depp, Anna Kendrick, Christine Baranski and Bayonne’s Tammy Blanchard join her for a romp in the woods. “Be careful what you wish for†is the film’s tagline because although it’s about Grimm Fairy Tales, this is no kiddie movie. Sondheim and co-writer James Lapine have taken several fairy tale characters on loopy adventures where very adult things happen, and not every journey ends happily ever after.
Disney’s INTO THE WOODS is the filmed version of the Tony Award winning musical which debuted on Broadway in 1987 starring Bernadette Peters as the wicked witch, and directed by Hal Prince. It has been performed throughout the world, has had several revivals here and in London, and has taken almost 30 years to go from stage to screen.
During her career, Bayonne’s Tammy Blanchard earned Emmy and Golden Globe Awards for her portrayal of Judy Garland in LIFE WITH JUDY GARLAND; ME AND MY SHADOWS; and two Tony Award nominations for supporting roles in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS…(with “Harry Potter†star Daniel Radcliffe) and GYPSY starring Bernadette Peters. Continue reading Bayonne’s Tammy Blanchard in her first Disney film: INTO THE WOODS
 At 11:59 pm on New Year’s Eve, many of us will turn to the TV or computer to watch the ball drop in Times Square. Last year, one million people braved the cold to watch the ball slide down the pole atop One Times Square on 42nd Street and now, more than one hundred years since the ball first dropped in 1907, we’ll be watching a crystal ball this time ring in the New Year.
gem of a restaurant glistening on the waterfront like a pearled onion garnishing a NY Strip.
 Taphaus biergarten opened just a couple months ago at the eastern end of 2nd Street in Jersey City; you can’t get any closer than this to one of the most beautiful views of the New York Skyline and particularly the Freedom Tower. No dark corners in this eatery; instead, its family style tables in a large dining area and bar, and a menu of classic comfort food reconstructed by Chef Chris Nirschel. 
Like Sinatra, Maxwell’s Tavern is synonymous with Hoboken and goes back to the 1940s when the city was more working class and employees at the Maxwell House coffee plant would stop in for a brew and a bite. Although the bar looks very much like it did back in the day, General Manager Jay Donnelly says new changes came with the new owners back in March. You can now enter right on Washington Street (instead of using the side door on 11th) and there’s some beautiful art work throughout the bar area that flows all the way through to the back room where bands and other acts perform. The menu has changed, too.
On Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, the Hudson County Community College Foundation held its 17th Annual Holiday Extravaganza. The annual Distinguished Service Award was presented to Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise (third from left). Pictured with Mr. DeGise from left are HCCC President Dr. Glen Gabert; William J. Netchert, Esq., Chair of the HCCC Board of Trustees; Hudson County Freeholder Anthony Romano; HCCC Foundation Chair James Egan and HCCC Vice President for Development Joseph Sansone.
The New Jersey Agricultural Society recently announced that Varsha Gireesh, a student at Jersey City Public School #17, won the statewide grand prize for first grade in the annual Farm-City Week Poster Contest.
December 11, 2014