"VIP Soap Opera Party" and Advanced Screening of Martha Byrne's New Series, Weight To Be Held in NYC October 2014: Tix Now Available - Come Meet Martha Byrne, Michael Park, Colleen Zenk, Terri Conn, Anne Sayre and more

Martha Byrne hosts a VIP
Soap Party for her new series,
Weight  Tix are $50 & up.

NYC - Are you a soap opera fan? Tickets are now available for a VIP Soap Party and Advanced Screening of Weight to be held on October 8, 2014 at 7:00 pm at Galway Pub, 7 East 36th Street (between 5th and Madison) in New York City. Weight is a new comedy series created and executive produced by Writers Guild Award Nominee Daryn Strauss and starring two-time Emmy Winner Martha Byrne. 

As of press date, the list of celebrities attending the VIP Soap Party includes Martha Byrne (As The World Turns, NBC's Crisis, Gotham the Series). Colleen Zenk (As The World Turns, Tainted Dreams, Woman on the Ledge Movie), Anne Sayre (Another World, As the World Turns, Gotham the Series), Michael Park (As The World Turns, House of Cards, Gotham the Series, Broadway), Terri Conn (As The World Turns, One Life to Live, Breaker High), Elizabeth Hubbard ( As The World Turns), Lisa Brown (As The World Turns, Guiding Light, Gotham The Series), Lauren B. Martin (As The World Turns), Elizabeth Keifer (Guiding Light, Venice the Series), Larkin Malloy (All My Children, Guiding Light), cast members from web soap Tainted Dreams, and Danielle Paige (Guiding Light writer, author of New York Times Bestseller Dorothy Must Die.) Check the website for updates on other special guests. Just added: Grant Aleksander (Guiding Light, All My Children)
Michael O'Leary (Guiding Light)

View the Teaser for Weight The Series here:      http://vimeo.com/106968672

Looking for the Jersey Devil? Head to Jersey City, not the Pine Barrens: Joseph Pepitone's New Comedy Explores the Lighter Side of Raising Hell

Manalapan movie maker Joseph Pepitone's latest indie flick takes an interesting look at the devil and plops him in the heart of Jersey. Despite it's name, don't expect this movie to have anything to do with the legendary creature of Jersey lore, instead expect a seriously funny movie about the original legendary devil of days of yore.

Produced by Jersey folks, featuring many Jersey folks, and filmed in Jersey, this comedy centers around the devil facing term limits for his job. And of course there's competition for it. 'Nough said. Take a look at the trailer here:

Paper Mill Playhouse Seeks Singers for Broadway Show Choir; Open Auditions August 24-27th

Attention all aspiring singers, here's your chance to become a part of local theater.  For more information on the auditions and theater visit: http://www.papermill.org/

NYGiants/NBCNewYork/Quest Diagnostics Health and Fitness Expo Delivers on Promises: Great Family Event

Mark your calenders for next year because the NYGiants/NBCNewYork/Quest Health and Fitness Expo is an event to be added to your summer lineup alongside going down the shore or to the beach.

This was the second year of the event and it was promoted heavily on NBC TV. The event promised something for everyone and it delivered.

There were over 150 exhibits and activities. These included physical games for kids and adults, cooking demonstrations, health screenings, zumba, yoga, auditions for THE VOICE, meeting players, meeting NBC New York personalities and more. They were all over the stadium, on the field, in the corridors, outside but inside the gate, in the parking lot, and in rooms in the stadium. There was a main stage outside. When I got to the stadium Pam from The Biggest Loser Season 14 was on the stage giving a very motivational talk.

What the Heck is Hot As Hell? Webseries Festival Kicks off in Palm Springs August 8

TV ain't what it used to be. It's not the only place for great visual storytelling, and the web is finding itself home to new, quality, ground-breaking content. Webseries are on the rise with some episodes reaching tens of thousands of views - and tens of thousands of fans, not limited by a cable service or broadcast signal but all over the world

So it's not surprising there's a fan base now yearning for more of their favorite characters. Many of the actors and actresses are familiar faces. Many soap stars have found a home in webseries, many actors moonlight from their traditional roles in current projects and new actors perfect their skills. In addition, known names from movies and TV often "come to play" as Steve Silverman, co-festival director and creator of Pretty the Series adds, because they "just have so much fun."

Why Carly Blaney from SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Really CAN Dance: Advice from a Dance Mom and Dance Dad

Carly Blaney from #SYTYCD        Photo courtesy Facebook

Jersey Girl Carly Blaney of Wyckoff sure can dance, and she's been sizzling up the stage on Fox's So You Think You Can Dance.

But just how did this girl go from from a tutu and toe shoes to one of America's hottest new dancers?  We talked to Carly's parents, Liz and Kevin, of course! Read on about how she did it, her perseverance and drive and how young dancers with a dream can make it happen for them too.

To vote click here: http://www.fox.com/dance/

Suzee: When did Carly express a desire to dance, and what did you do about it?

 Mom and Dad: Carly expressed an interest to dance prior to her second birthday  Her older sister Amanda (by 4 years) was taking dance classes and it seemed to pique Carly's curiosity. I think Carly liked the dress-up part of dance first. She would ALWAYS wear a tutu. Whether going out to the stores or picking her sister up from school she would be seen wearing it and she seemed to love the attention she received from wearing it. As soon as she was old enough, I believe age 2 1/2, we enrolled her in dance classes.

RHONJ Season 6 Kicks off with Local Party in NJ: Dina Manzo, Melissa & Joe Gorga, Teresa Giudice and Newcomer Amber Marchese Attend Viewing Party/Fundraiser for Project Ladybug and Deborah Hospital Foundation

What a better way to kick off Season 6 of the RHONJ than to view the debut episode with them?                                            by Suzanne Ordas Curry

Dina Manzo

Several of thee RHONJ from this new season, Dina Manzo, Teresa Giudice, Amber Marchese and Melissa Gorga, attended a a  Viewing Party at Pure Parsipiany in Parsippany, NJ. The party was a chance to meet the ladies as well as some of  the men of the RHONJ. The party was billed as a fundraiser, with proceeds going to to benefit two wonderful charities, Dina Manzo's Project Ladybug (which helps children with cancer and other diseases) and the Deborah Heart and Lunch Foundation, a rather weld-know charity among Jerseyans.

It was a hot night, and party-goers had to wait just a little while outside to get in. But it was way cool in the lounge, because that's where the HOUSEWIVES were. There was ample seating, a vibrant atmosphere and lots of TV's. As predicted there was not one FIFA game or wrap-up on anyone of them (even though it was the day of he championship). BRAVO was on all of them.  Andy would have been proud. Now that's my kind of sports lounge..

There were hor douvres being passed; lots of sushi, something in a cone-shaped pastry and edaname. There was a cupcake tower which surprisingly did not all get eaten until the very end. Each guest received a ticket for a glass of Teresa Giudice's Fabbelini, mine was peachy and sparkling and quite refreshing.

Melissa Gorga

There were two areas. One was a general area by the bar and then there was an area semi- roped off that had tables in it. Curtains demarcated the area. This must have been for VIP's but I do not recall a separate VIP fee. For most of the night the RHONJ were stationed in that area, however they all came out to mingle. Except Theresa. Dina Manzo, is a striped color  block and white dress came out many times to mingle and pose with the fans. Melissa, dressed in a summer white dress, did as well. Amber was in and out and very accessible to her new fans also.

There were times when guests could enter the roped-off area, and all the housewvies there were willing to take picutres. Joe Gorga was happy to pose, in fact, I do think he charmed all the ladies as he posed with them. It was pretty hot at the party, but especially by Joe because all the ladies were hovering. At one point Joe shouted, "No one told me this was a SAUNA PARTY!".

Melissa always takes a good photo. I got the chance to ask her if we would hear her singing on the show this year. She said, "You won't see it on the show this year, but I've been working on them outside."

Fans Jen & Barb came from the Poconos

But where was Teresa?  MIA was Mrs. Giudice. I had talked to some of the guests and they said they they got a photo of her earlier, but I was there quite early and I didn't see her at all, just her husband.  Ironically, I got an email in my inbox two days later inviting me to another event of hers a a local restaurant named Cielo's. The invite said,  "In case you didn't get a photo with her on Sunday." This was unusual because at every event I have been at with her she is ALWAYS available, kind and ready to pose for photos for fans so there must have been a good reason.

Amber Marchese

The new girl Amber was very friendly and happy to meet the fans. She looked great with her hair pulled back tight in a ponytail and little black dress, a different look than she had on the show that night. I asked her, I talked to her briefly and about her bout with breast cancer, and she said how she "wanted to get the word out about it and is happy to talk about it." This is not a happy subject to tackle on a show meant to be entertaining, but I was glad to see so far that it will be a topic.

As for other story lines this year, I've read that some of the ladies will not be friends after this season! What? Really? You must mean another show?

Tune in to BRAVO for more entertainment on the RHONJ Season 6.
To read about and view photos and videos from Dina's last Project Ladybug fundraiser click here;
http://www.suzeebehindthescenes.com/2013/11/rhonj-stars-aligned-for-dina-manzos_25.html

Hard Choices: Hillary Clinton Comes to North Jersey To Sign New Book: Over 800 Line Up at Bookends in Ridgewood

Hillary Clinton, Author of Hard Choices        Photos Suzanne Ordas Curry

It didn't seem to matter that it was hot out and the wait was several hours, over 800 people decided it was a good choice to show up in downtown Ridgewood July 17 to meet Hillary Rodham Clinton and have them sign a copy of her new book, 
Hard Choices.

Secret Service, bomb-sniffing dogs, and lots of police were there in the afternoon to prepare the way for the former First Lady and Secretary of State. The book signing was scheduled for 6-8pm. Purchasers were assured that she would sign everyone's book and she did. The process was quite orderly.

She arrived through the back entrance about 5:45pm, started signing after 6pm and around 8:30 pm she was still inside finishing up the maybe 100 or so people that were still waiting.

CASA for Children of Bergen County To Participate in NBC New York/NY Giants/Quest Health and Fitness Expo at Metlife Stadium: Spokesperson Actress Martha Byrne of NBC's Crisis to Appear

The NBC NY/NYGiants/Quest Health and Fitness
Expo Runs July 19-20th. See link at end of article
for more info.

NJ - CASA for Children of Bergen County will be participating in the NY Giants/NBC New York Health and Fitness Expo at Metlife Stadium this weekend. CASA's celebrity spokesperson, Emmy-winning actress Martha Byrne will be appearing at the event on Saturday from 10am to 3pm. The event is free.

INTERVIEW: Author A. J. Colucci Delves Into the Eerie World of Plants With New Novel Seeders- Book Signing at Paramus Barnes and Noble July 17th

One may find it hard to believe that behind the walls of a modest, Cape Cod-styled house perched on a tree-lined country road in suburbia lives a novelist who could put us on the edge of our seats with just a few words. With tales of armies of mutant ants attacking the greatest city in the world, devouring human flesh in just minutes to a new novel  about killer plants altering the minds of people stranded on an island where madness quickly turns to vicious murder  one would think that AJ Colucci lives in some dark, ivy-covered house high upon a hill that no trick-or treater would dare to visit.

But author AJ Colucci doesn't. She's a suburban soccer mom, traipsing her kids about town, active in school organizations, hosting backyard BBQ's, but with a creative mind so much on overdrive that she has three books written and two more in the works.

Event: Critically-Acclaimed Thriller Novelist AJ Colucci Launches New Book Seeders with Book Signing/Giveaways at Barnes and Noble in Paramus, NJ July 15th

Seeders, the new novel by AJ Colucci

NY/NJ – On a remote Canadian island, George Brookes, a brilliant but reclusive plant biologist, may have achieved the most monumental breakthrough in science: communication between plants and humans. After his mysterious death, five heirs arrive for the reading of his will, but within days, the island begins to have strange and violent effects on the group and they realize George may have unleashed a sinister force far more deadly than any human.

View: NJ Resident Rosie O'Donnell Takes a Seat on THE VIEW Next Season

NJ Resident, comedienne and actress Rosie O'Donnell will rejoin THE VIEW next season. Jenny McCarthy and Sherri Shepherd have left two vacant seats, and now we know who will fill one of them.

Rosie O'Donnell had her own show for six seasons from 1996-2002. I am a big fan of daytime TV and I loved this show. It was humorous, educational and controversial. Amidst the clutter of dating shows and who the baby daddy is her show was filled with thoughtful commentary. I think this is a much needed push for the show since both Jenny and Sherri left and Elizabeth Hasselback, Joy Behar land Barbara Walters are gone..

Rosie has not left TV since she left her show. While raising her family she has still been active with her own show and has made many appearances on many TV shows, including such hit shows as Curb Your Enthusiasm, Drop Dead Diva, Nip/Tuck and Will and Grace.

And who could forget her in A League of Their Own or Sleepless in Seattle. Welcome Back.

To view the official tweet click here:

http://www.deadline.com/2014/07/rosie-odonnell-the-view-abc-return/

Real Housewives of NJ Return for Season 6 July 13th: RHONJ Viewing Party at Pure Parsippany Doubles as Fundraiser for Dina Manzo's Project Ladybug and Deborah Hospital

Teresa Giudice and Dina Manzo at Project Ladybug Fundraiser

Article written by and photos by Suzanne Ordas Curry

THEY'RE BAAACCKKK!  Well, not all of them. RHONJ Caroline Manzo is off to do her own show, RHONJ Jacqueline Laurita is not returning and the Wakile Family and lively sister Rosie will have less air time. But we have Dina Manzo returning and some new ladies, Amber Marchese and a set of identical twins, Nicole Napolitano and Teresa Aprea, adding to the mix this year.

Last year lacked that table-flippin drama we've all been accustomed too.. here's hoping the new chicks have some strong opinions and arms!

The ladies started their publicity tour already, appearing on fourth hour of The Today Show with Kathy Lee and Hoda. Dina, Amber and the twins sat on the couch and discussed the new season.

Dina Manzo at Goddess Night Out

What I like to hear is when people use their presence to forward a cause. Dina Manzo has Project Ladybug, a wonderful organization which fund programs for sick children and their families for several East Cost hospitals including St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Paterson, NJ. I had heard that Amber was a breast cancer survivor, and she talked about it with the ladies on the Today Show, telling them that it would be part of the storyline. Amber talked how she wanted to bring awareness to the disease, which she said "could potentially save another life". You go girl!!

The twin sisters talked about how they were excited to be on TV and to do the show. Nicole said she thought  "it would be so much fun to do something with Teresa." They talked about who was going to get into the thick of things in the show, which prompted Teresa to say "I don't really tackle the issues, they find me!"

So, now there are two Teresas on the show. If you live in NJ, at least northern NJ, there are an awful lot of Teresa's, so it's not uncommon to have two Teresa's in a room or for that matter several Lisa's, Anthony's Michael's and Frank's.

New RHONJ are bookends to fan fave Rosie

Carly Blaney- So You Think You Can Dance, Huh?: Jersey Girl Hits the Top Twenty on Popular Fox Show and Voting Opens Soon

Dancer Carly Blaney            Photo courtesy Facebook

Carly Blaney of Wyckoff NJ really can dance! This Jersey girl is strutting her stuff on Fox's immensely popular dance competition, So You Think You Can Dance. Carly made it to to the Top Twenty, no surprise for this dance champion, and will be entering the live competition starting tonight on Fox 5 here in the New York area. 

Carly, age 20, grew up in Wyckoff, NJ. She trained at Studio L in Waldwick.  She is currently a student at Arizona State University where she is a member of the Sun Devil Cheering Squad.

Voting is online. Here is the link: http://vote.fox.com/dance
Editor Update: Though Carly did not win, we thank her for representing Jersey well!

Bill and Willie Geist's Book Good Talk, Dad Explores Father-Son Relationships with Humor and Wit: It's The Geist Story on Growing Up in Jersey

Bill Geist and Willie Geist at Books and Greetings in Northvale, NJ

                         By Suzanne Ordas Curry

“Ask him!” Bill Geist said to me as we chatted about the new book Good Talk, Dad, that he and his son had written.  The place was Books and Greetings in Northvale, NJ, a bookstore just few miles from their hometown of Ridgewood, NJ.  We were talking about his chapter on his time in Vietnam and I mentioned to him how my dad was in WWII but barely spoke of it.

"Ask him!", he said.  I told him how I had a friend who was writing a book on WWII and I did manage to get some answers out of him, but then he got tired of answering.

Bill Geist then asked if my dad had been to the memorial down in DC. I told him how he wasn’t exactly mobile, being close to 90 years of age.

"Tell him they’ll put him in a wheelcahair,and fly him over,” he added.

I go to a lot of books signings. To me it’s not just about the book but the experience of meeting the authors. Willie and Bill Geist are just, in one word, genuine people.

The Today Show's Willie Geist                      Photo by Suzanne Ordas Curry

To start off the night Willie gave a short presentation on the book. He had the crowd of about 75 on a weekday night, sighing and laughing. After the presentation the people lined up in the busy and book-filled bookstore to have their books signed. The two of them took time with everyone that bought a book. I cannot say that of every author I have met.

When I got to the front of the line, I mentioned to Willie that I was in PR and that when I sent him emails he would always respond. (That doesn’t always happen with PR people!). So I thanked him. He remembered the emails and specifically an invite, one that had to do with an event in his hometown of Ridgewood. He explained how he wasn't able to make it the night of the event, but said, “I always like to help out people in Jersey, especially Ridgwood.”

NY Giant Jessie Armstead: Launching a New Car with A Little Help From his Friends

Former NY Giants Jessie Armstead and Antonio Pierce are showing that you can have a successful career after pro-football. These now Jersey guys, along with automotive veteran Mike Saporito, have been the owners of  Englewood Cliffs Cadillac for a little over a year now.

Their  friends came out to join them to introduce the new 2015 Cadillac Escalade. Held at the dealership, the event featured food, music and food. Guests enjoyed sushi from Akai and music by DJ Vatche (who also happens to be the General Sales Manager.) All guests were also able to watch cigars being hand-rolled by a Q Cigars master roller.

NY Giants Jon Beason, Steve Brown and Antrel Rolle made an appearance in support of these former Giants. They were all happy to mingle with the many football and car fans that attended, both young and old.

Antonio Pierce and Jessie Armstead help out Marlo Thomas
at the 2014 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Legends for Charity
Event Honoring Michael Strahan in NYC

The dealership has been known to give away free tickets to Giants games. Jesse and Antonio are also both active in helping charities including  St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Shaun O'Hare Golf Outing, the Boys and Girl Scouts of America, the Children's Miracle Network, Jimmy's Fund, the YWCA and the YMCA among many others.

Daryn Strauss' New Webseries WEIGHT Gets New Cast Member - Maitely Weismann Joins Martha Byrne: Indiegogo Campaign Offers Soap Star-Studded Party

Maitely Weismann joins Weight

Weight, the new internet comedy from Writers Guild Award Nominee Daryn Strauss (Downsized) and two-time Emmy Winner Martha Byrne (As the World Turns, NBC's Crisis) has announced that Maitely Weismann (Showtime's Masters of Sex, Nickelodeon's Sam & Cat) will be joining the cast. Martha Byrne is set to star in the series playing Claire, a mom who loses 100 pounds on a reality show and then has to contend with the absurd and complicated reactions of her friends and family as she attempts to balance the day to day pressures of staying thin and appearing on a reality show. Weismann, straight off of a starring role in the award-winning indie comedy feature Chasing Taste, will be playing a producer of the reality show Claire appears on. 

Strauss is also slated to appear in the series, having previously starred in her last series Downsized, a critic's favorite during its two season run, recognized by the Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, IndieWire, Boston Globe, and Fast Company as one of the best scripted web series, in addition to being nominated for series writing at the 2012 Writers Guild Awards. Byrne's previous foray into internet series, Gotham, earned her an Emmy nomination. Both Strauss and Byrne are Jersey girls.

Martha Byrne and Daryn Strauss

In the spirit of its soap opera ties, Weight's crowd funding campaign via Indiegogo offers many soap-related perks. If you're a daytime TV fan or a Martha Byrne fan, you can chat with Martha on the phone, go to lunch with her and go out for a martini with a reasonable donation. For $100 you get two VIP tickets to an invite-only Soap Party in New York City, with a single ticket running only $50. Martha has already announced that daytime stars Elizabeth Hubbard, Colleen Zenk, Terri Conn, and Anne Sayre (all from As The World Turns) are slated to attend, and many more are expected to be announced soon. The campaign ends on June 30, 2014. For more info visit:https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/weight-a-comedy

NJ Car Dealer Attempts to Break Guiness World Record: Liberty Suburu Goes for Largest Parade of Suburu Cars and Donates Profits to Cancer Foundation

Record-breaking attempt takes place at Metlife Stadium, June 15th at 8:30am.

There's a record to be set for just about everything these days. And when there is, the Guiness people want to know about it.

On Sunday, June 15th, Liberty Suburu of Emerson will sponsor an event at Metlife

Teaneck's Charles Payne Now Host of Making Money With Charles Payne on Fox Business Network

This new show is aimed at helping people make money, using today's headlines and Charles' guidance.

Teaneck NJ's Charles Payne is now the host of Charles Payne is the host of Making Money with Charles Payne (weekdays 6-7 PM/ET) on the Fox Business Network (FBN) in October 2007 as a contributor.

His New Reality: Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino Gets New Series on TV Guide Network

Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino of Jersey Shore fame has got his own series, set to air July 15, and he's got his family involved this time.

 

Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino
gets his own show,
The Sorrentinos
Photo: Facebook

"This next chapter of my life is about sobriety and family, and I'm stoked to take people on this journey with us." 
                         - Mike Sorrentino on his new show

From TVGuide Network: THE SORRENTINOS is a new reality series following Mike Sorrentino, a reality TV star whose rise to global fame as “The Situation” was meteoric, as was his inevitable come down and road to recovery. Cameras will document and show what life is like now and introduce a whole new set of quirky but loveable characters—Mike’s family, the Sorrentinos. Production on the eight 30-minute episode order of the original docu-comedy series is in New Jersey.  

The Voice's Christina Grimmie is a NJ Gem: From Marlton to Hollywood To Stay

                                                                                                             By Susannah Patience

It is beyond words and with tremendous sadness that we report that this wonderful, talented young lady who was just starting her life was fatally shot after a concert. This was a senseless act. Forever Grimmie. 

NJ's Own Christina Grimmie landed in the Top Three of NBC's Sixth Season of The Voice. But as we've seen with other singing competitions, it's not just the winner that ends up shining.

Christina Grimmie's album With Love drops Summer 2014
(Photo: Facebook)

"I respect you so, so much.... and thank you for believing in me because no one else did." - Christina to her coach, Adam Levine, on the final show.

The Voice, one of America’s most popular TV shows, has just finished its sixth season. Josh Kaufman, a teen from Indianapolis, Indiana was crowned this season’s winner.  While Kaufman showcased incredible talent, the real star was contestant Christina Victoria Grimmie, who ended up placing third. An audience favorite from the very beginning, Grimmie captivated viewers and the judges with her version of Miley Cyrus’ hit “Wrecking Ball” in her first audition. With a big smile and shinning stage confidence, it was impossible not to fall in love with her.

Daryn Strauss, Martha Byrne & Frederick King Keller Team up for New Internet Comedy: Weight - A Series Which Looks at the Crazy and Zany Things our Obsession with Weight Makes Us Do

                    

 

 (NYC) - Weight is a new internet comedy series from three heavyweights from multiple platforms: Writers Guild Award-nominated digital writer and producer, Daryn Strauss (Downsized), two time Emmy Award-winning actress and producer Martha Byrne (As The World Turns, Crisis, Gotham The Series) and veteran primetime network television producer and director Frederick King Keller (Crisis, 24, Blue Bloods). #Weighttheseries will begin production this summer. For updates see: https://www.facebook.com/weighttheseries. On Twitter: @Weighttheseries.

Martha Byrne to Play Claire in Weight

The series is penned by Strauss, who was nominated for a Writers Guild Award for her first web series Downsized, a dramedy about middle class New Yorkers trying to adjust to the absurdities of life during the economic crisis. Byrne joins the project as star and producer with King Keller set to direct.

“I like to write shows about everyday issues that make people act nuts,” states Strauss. “Weight is my latest comedy series centered on the age-old adage that weight makes people act totally crazy.”

Weight picks up as Claire, a middle class mom, returns home from a reality weight loss competition 100 pounds lighter but finds she’s gained some extra baggage due to the mixed and sometimes absurd reactions of her dysfunctional family and friends. The smart comedy combines America’s obsession with weight loss and reality television for a look at how weight can bring together and also divide people.

Follow @suzeecurrybts on Twitter for more on Weight

NJ Kids Heat up the Dance Floor on Ellen with their Salsa Moves: Beberly Devers and Kevin Tellez Head to America's Got Talent

Beberly Devers & Kevin Tellez   Photo Courtesy Facebook

Leave it to Ellen to find talent that truly entertains. Her staff searches the Internet and always finds pint-sized people to make us laugh, wonder and even cry. Sophia Grace and Rosie are already stars. And who could forget little Kai who sings his heart out to Bruno Mars' songs.

This time she found World Latin Dance Cup Champions 6-year old Beberly Devers and 8 year-old Kevin Tellez while surfin' around Youtube with close to 2 millions views. Beberly and Kevin both train in Hudson County. Their salsa teacher Johana Vasquez  has been teaching Kevin since he was 5 and Beberly for just one year.

They have only been dancing together for a year.  Both of them have won championships but with other dancers as partners. Ellen asked Kevin what he liked about his partner and he said, "She's smart, and she's easy to lift." Ellen then likened his response - with a smile - as to how most ladies choose their purses.

Take a look at this terrific twosome, they are full of talent:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_mlDKnUttg

Good luck to them as they head to America's Got Talent.           Written by Suzanne Ordas Curry

NJ Mom Pens Lessons Learned: The Kindergarten Survival Guide for Parents, Book Signing at Shaw's of Westwood June 5th

A New Jersey mother and teacher has penned a book about what most mothers all wish we knew before we sent our kids off to school. Lessons Learned: The Kindergarten Survival Guide for Parents, is a comprehensive looks at the kindergarten year, from the first tears shed by your child on the first day to the tears shed by you as they finish up their first year as a little grown-up.

Podest wrote “Lessons Learned” to ease many common fears that parents have about enrolling their children in kindergarten. She offers advice from a parent and teacher perspective about topics such as first day of school preparations, making new friends and the parent’s role in their child’s education.

“Lessons Learned” also offers Podest’s views on

Philadelphia Sports & Education Expo May 31-June 1, Special Guests Include Eagle's Kevin Reilly, Angelo Cataldi, Mitch Albom, Jay Johnstone & More

Kevin Reilly will present an award to
Jason Garstkiewicz at the Philadelphia Sports & Education Expo

On May 31, former Philadelphia Eagles captain, amputee and cancer survivor Kevin Reilly, broadcaster on the Philadelphia Eagles Network, will present an MVP EXPY (Excellence in Preserving Youth Sports) award to Haddonfield, NJ HS freshman athlete Jason Garstkiewicz (pictured in football uniform), a fellow cancer survivor and amputee, who plays football, basketball and lacrosse. Jason, who has been supported by Go 4 the Goal-Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Cherry Hill, will additionally present an award to the Foundation, one of several awards being bestowed at the Convention Center in Philadelphia during the Sports & Education Expo weekend May 31-June 1. 

Glee's Lea Michele Booksigning in NJ: Brunette Ambition is a Great Book for Teens

                                                                                                                                   By Suzanne Ordas Curry

Reminiscent of a Justin Beiber concert half a decade ago, almost 500 tweens and teens were lined up anxiously awaiting their turn to meet Glee's Lea Michele at their local bookstore. And this book signing was quite a special one, because this bookstore was a stone's throw away from where she grew up in Tenafly, NJ.

Books and Greetings was the scene of the action. There were 400+ girls, just a few boys, with books in hand as well as some homemade tokens of affection ready to be handed to Lea. Some were "I love Lea" shirts. Some wore "I love Lea" hats. Some held homemade signs that said "I Love Lea". And once in a while you would hear a wave of  teen screams echoing  "I love Lea".

Lea Michele was there to sign copies of her book, Brunette Ambition. First, about the book:

This books covers just about EVERYTHING you want to know about Lea Michele. It is a well-designed, easy-to read font of information about her life, from how she got started, to what roles lead her along what path, to where she is now. It is also a book about her life now, what she does on a Sunday afternoon, what she eats for breakfast, who her besties are and what exercises she does. In the book she gives a lot of advice without preaching, it's more like teaching by example. She has lots of recipes for healthy eating, healthy living and fashion. She talks about her time at Glee and thanks Cory for his help with the book. Though formulaic, this is an excellent book for a young girl. If  Marcia Brady had written this when I was a teenager it would have been my Bible.

Martha Byrne's Emmy-Nominated Gotham The Series Acquired by Launch TV: Now Available on Many Channels

Launch TV Network Acquires Broadcast Rights for Gotham The Series

The Cast of Gotham The Series

NYC—Launch TV Network Company, Inc., currently in a binding agreement for acquisitions with Freedom Energy Holdings, Inc., acquires Broadcast rights for Premier Pilot “Gotham” the series. Gotham was nominated for an Emmy for Web Series.

Gotham The Series is a continuing drama series from Executive Producer Martha Byrne based on characters developed by Byrne and Alexandra Verner Roalsvig. The show premiered on the web in 2009. It is written by Martha Byrne and Lisa Brown.

Book Review: Douglas Preston's The Kraken Project

New Jersey Author  AJ Colucci reviews 
the newest crime thriller by Douglas Preston. 

Watch for AJ's new book, Seeders, available in bookstores everywhere in July.

Think science thriller, and you think Douglas Preston. His masterfully crafted, heart-pounding stories take readers slightly past the cutting-edge of science into terrifying “what if” scenarios that sometimes beg the question; do we really want to go there? The latest novel in his Wyman Ford series, THE KRAKEN PROJECT, delves into the world of Artificial Intelligence and the possible consequences of machines outsmarting humans. Click here to read the rest of the article:
http://www.thebigthrill.org/2014/04/the-kraken-project-by-douglas-preston/

Kevin and Joe Jonas Go On The Road with Off The Record: Coming to Jersey in June

Joe Jonas

Jersey Boys Kevin and Joe Jonas are going on tour, but not exactly a musical tour. They've put together a new show, called  Off The Record  coming to venues across the country.

This tour is something different. Following the interactivity trend in entertainment today, their appearances will be an interactive experience with the audience.

According to ET, the "the live shows will feature questions and answer sessions, never-before-scene footage, audience participation and many other surprises that will give fans a rare up-close and personal look at the two Jonas brothers".

The show is coming to Jersey on June 5, 2014 at 8pm. at the IPlay America's Event Center in Freehold, NJ. For tickets visit: http://www.axs.com/search?q=off+the+record+with+kevin+and+joe+jonas

Posh Fashion Show 2014 Hosted by RHONJ Kathy Wakile and Family, New Housewives Make an Appearance

PoshBoutiqueNJ  held its Annual Fashion Show at the Terrace in Paramus, NJ. Kathy, Rich and Victoria Wakile hosted this event with sister Rosie adding her flair. New RHONJ the Napolitano sisters came to help celebrate the fashion - and the quick recovery of Victoria after her recent surgery. It was a fun night... Jersey style. 

Victoria and Kathy Wakile                             Photo by Suzanne Curry

The Annual Posh Fashion Show, this year held at the new Terrace in Paramus, was a little bit different than your ordinary Fashion Show.

The best part about the night was seeing Victoria Wakile looking so absolutely beautiful and well after her surgery for benign astrocytoma, a type of brain tumor that  had plagued her as a young child and unfortunately returned. You could here it in mom’s voice, Kathy said: "We are all so blessed.... because God brought her back to us." She also thanked the crowd for coming there to celebrate her daughter's quick recover. Listen to what she said here, in a video of the beginning of the Posh Fashion Show:

View the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJGd2mvQY-k&feature=youtu.be

Headlining the event was the graceful Mrs. Wakile and her husband Rich, who was looking quite handsome as well. Sister Rosie Pierri was the life of the party, milling about and posing with whomever would ask her. She also just plain ol' got up to dance once while the models were strolling down the runway.  

Tracy DiMarco-Epstein and Jackie Carmelo from Jerseylicious 
were also there. The brand new Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa 

New RHONJ Teresa in red and Nicole in white are bookends for Rosie

Napolitano Aprea and Nicole Napolitano were also there- but I don't think many attendees knew who they were. Brooke Villone (VH1's Baseball Wives) was also on the Red Carpet.

Big Brother's Gina Marie Zimmerman was the emcee

Emceeing the Fashion show was Gina Marie Zimmerman of Big Brother.  I don't think any men that came of their own volition or were dragged as dates knew that they were in for the treat they were in as the lights dimmed and the show started.

This was a relatively new venue. There were a few hundred people. I met some new friends that came up all the way up from the Jersey Shore to meet the housewives, and they drove back down the Parkway with tons of selfies in hand because all the cast of the RHONJ that was there were happy to pose. There were a few vendors. They also offered swordfish was an entrée which was a nice change from the chicken and salmon being offered in this area lately.