Genius Of Jim Henson

Over the weekend we had a chance to visit Jim Henson's Fantastic World, the special exhibit at the James A. Michener Museum of Art in Doylestown.
Henson, the creator of The Muppets and a major creative force behind Sesame Street, believed in thinking outside the box before there even was such a saying.
Without "fences" to limit where his imagination could roam, Jim Henson (1936-1990)—artist, puppeteer, film director and producer—created elaborate imaginary worlds filled with unique characters, objects, environments and even languages and cultures.
Jim Henson's Fantastic World comes from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) and the Jim Henson Legacy and it offers a rare peek into the imagination and creative genius of this multitalented innovator and creator of Kermit the Frog, Big Bird and other beloved characters.
This is the inaugural show in the new exhibition space that is the center-piece of the Museum's $12 million expansion. And the Museum looks great; it's a real gem.
This exhibition features 100 original artworks, including drawings, cartoons and storyboards that illustrate Henson's talent as a storyteller and visionary. Among the variety of exhibition objects are puppets and television and movie props, photographs of Henson and his collaborators at work and original video productions, including excerpts from Henson's early career and experimental films.
We do wish there had been more information about Henson, his personal life, his complexities and what really made him tick.
Nonetheless, this is a wonderfully inspiring exhibition that also includes an area for children.
But we do not recommend this installation for children since it really deals with the behind-the-scenes business of how these characters were created and how the puppets and other characters actually became animated through human means. As such, for kids it takes the fun and the mystery out of the whole business.
If you go, make sure you try to go during a weekday if possible.
Since we were there on a weekend the place was loaded with kids and it was very, very noisy. This prevented us from enjoying the exhibition as much as we might have.
Hurry - This show closes on November 29!

Spectacular Autumn Sky

The autumn sky with the sun setting about
20 minutes ago in South Jersey

Life On Corzine Beach

Corzine Beach is an idyllic place.
It's the place where zillionaire old geezers go to forget their troubles.
It's the place where they hang out with the Main Squeeze and just chill.
It's the place where they pretend it's still the sixties -- complete with surfer swim trunks and striped bikinis.
So what if they're bald and pudgy.
So what if their boobs and butts are sagging.
On Corzine Beach, everything is perfect again. And when you've got Corzine's dough, Corzine Beach can be anywhere you want it to be.
This time around it's St. Barths. Well, you didn't think it would be in Joisey, did you?
Here's the story from Faded Youth:
Former governor of New Jersey Jon Corzine has escaped the aftermath of his recent political defeat and the weight of his tumultuous and scandal-ridden term with a romantic holiday with his girlfriend in St. Barths. Years after his political term was rocked by rumours of his infidelity, which abruptly ended his 33-year marriage, Corzine started dating Sharon Elghanayan. The two arrived by private plane on Friday afternoon (November 6) to St. Barths where they quickly shed their clothes for beach attire to enjoy the relaxed romantic beach environment. Walking hand-in-hand on the sand, Corzine kissed the bikini-clad Elghanayan before sitting down to soak up the sunshine. The lovebirds have rented an uber luxurious villa on Flamands Beach.

Meanwhile, back in Piscataway life translates into a cold, steady rain, endless traffic, jarring potholes, soaring taxes, rising unemployment and bad jokes.
Corzine's last day can't come fast enough.

'Race' Readies Broadway Opening

They're calling it David Mamet's most explosive four-letter word yet.
The word is "race" and Race is also the title of Mamet's new play, beginning previews at Broadway's Ethel Barrymore Theatre on November 17 and headed toward a December 6 opening.
Mamet is also directing this provocative new work which stars Richard Thomas,

Kerry Washington, David Alan Grier and James Spader.
We recently met the cast -- live and in person -- at the Redeye Grill on Broadway and had a chance to chat with Thomas, Washington, Grier and Spader.
What struck us first was how accessible, open and friendly these four actors really are. They chatted amicably and easily with one another and with those of us assembled for this special event.
They laughed, joked, and bantered just like four old friends.
But they also admitted that starring in a work by one of America's most daring and most prolific writers is not easy.
Spader (who did most of the talking) noted that in a Mamet play, every word and phrase is exact and you can't "stumble through this or make it up as you go along."
Washington agreed, and added: "It's not just the words that you speak but how you speak them. He [Mamet] wants everything to be exact."
Thomas pointed out that Mamet will play with even the seemingly smallest words such as "and, an, a or but" and then the former squeaky clean star of The Waltons complained that he utters only one hard core, four-letter word in a play that is expected to be laced with profanities.
When Thomas chirped: "I have only one f - - k," Grier quickly responded: "That's because you're married."
And so that's the way the evening went: Four likable, engaging actors joking about a play that tackles a sizzling, serious subject. And they all said they're having a great time working for and with the legendary Mamet.
We've long been David Mamet fans and we're very much looking forward to this new production.
David Mamet, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Glengarry GLen Ross, has also written Sexual Perversity in Chicago, Lakeboat, The Water Engine, The Duck Variations, Reunion, The Blue Hour, The Shawl, Bobby Gould in Hell, Edmond, Romance, The Old Neighborhood, November and the recent adaptation of The Voysey Inheritance.
A two-time Academy Award nominee for The Verdict and Wag the Dog, Mamet's additional film credits include The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Untouchables, Hoffa, Ronin, The Edge, and We're No Angels.
His nonfiction work includes The Wicked Son, True and False, and Bambi vs. Godzilla.

To hear a podcast of the conversation with the cast members of Race, click here.

Christie Names Budget Task Force

New Jersey Governor-Elect Chris Christie today named two budget and fiscal experts to chair a special Transition Task Force on Budget and Taxes and asked them to get to work immediately on developing recommendations to help address New Jersey’s fiscal challenges.
The Governor-Elect named Richard H. Bagger of Westfield, an executive at Pfizer Inc and a former Chairman of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, and Robert E. Grady, a Livingston native, former aide to Governor Thomas H. Kean and former top official at the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as Co-Chairmen of the task force.
“Addressing the problems facing New Jersey’s economy is my highest priority, “ Christie said, “and with these two experienced budget and fiscal experts helping me spearhead our efforts we are able to get to work right away.”
The Task Force Co-Chairmen will help develop recommendations to address the fiscal deficit that state experts have estimated at over $8 billion for the coming fiscal year 2011, and to respond to the shortfall in projected state revenues in the current fiscal year 2010. They will recruit additional Task Force members and staff experts to address various components of the State’s fiscal emergency.
Bagger served in the New Jersey Assembly from 1993 to 2002 and in the State Senate from 2002 to 2003. He was Chairman of the Assembly Appropriations Committee from 1998 to 2002. He was a former Councilman and Mayor of Westfield. Currently, he serves as Senior Vice President for Worldwide Public Affairs at Pfizer Inc. Earlier in his career, Bagger served as Assistant General Counsel of Blue Cross/Blue Shield and was an attorney with the law firm of McCarter and English.
Grady served as Chief of Staff to former U.S. Representative Millicent Fenwick, as Director of Communications for former Governor Thomas H. Kean, and as Deputy Assistant to the President and Executive Associate Director of OMB in the Administration of former President George H.W. Bush.
For the last decade, he had been the partner in charge of venture capital investing at The Carlyle Group, one of the world’s largest private equity firms. Before retiring this summer and joining Cheyenne Capital Fund, a private equity firm, he served as Chairman of the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) in 2006-2007 and as a professor at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business from 1994-2004.

Dame Edna, Feinstein Together!

On Broadway, Shubert Organization Chairman Philip J. Smith and President Robert E. Wankel have intervened in the ever growing public "feud" between Michael Feinstein’s All About Me and Dame Edna: It’sAll About Me.

Said a Shubert Organization representative: “Due to a shortage of theaters this spring, and two ridiculously (and oddly) similar titles that would ultimately be immensely confusing to the theater-going public, we have convinced both artists, in an entirely, completely, and totally unprecedented move, to join forces to create a joint endeavor simply titled All About Me.”

“We love Michael and the Dame, and because we hold both artists in such high esteem, we are more than overjoyed that they have agreed to join forces in what we expect to be a singular and spectacular musical entertainment. Now it’s on to who gets the bigger dressing room….”
Famed director Jerry Zaks has generously agreed to direct the new joint endeavor.
Acclaimed playwright Christopher Durang, previously announced in negotiations for Dame Edna’s solo show, will now combine both shows into one unique musical entertainment.
The newly conjoined show will be produced by the newly conjoined producing team of Jeffrey Richards, Jeryy Feankel, Robert G. Bartner, and the Ambassador Theatre Group.

“As I said before, I have always been a huge fan of the Dame, and despite our previous friction, now that my mother has forgiven her, I couldn’t be more excited to be joining her on Broadway.” -Michael Feinstein.

“Because the essence of my show’s title was always All About Me, I’m more than delighted having the 'It’s' go the way of the Dodo. Michael Feinstein is a performer of the highest caliber, I believe, and I couldn’t be more than excited to be sharing a Broadway stage with him, in moderation. And with nice Christopher Durang at our side, who knows what saucy little moments we can come up with!”
-Dame Edna Everage

Christie Announces Transition Team

Governor-Elect Chris Christie announced his Transition New Jersey Leadership Team, which is being led by former Attorney General David Samson. The Transition Team is made of bi-partisan leaders in both the public and private sector who will bring their combined management experience, knowledge and know-how to spearhead transition efforts over the next few months.
Chairman David Samson said, “I am excited we have been able to put together a talented, bi-partisan and dedicated group of individuals to help guide Governor-Elect Christie’s transition efforts. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but we are ready to help execute Chris’ vision for changing the way our government does business.”
Governor-Elect Chris Christie added, “There is no doubt we have our work cut out for us, but I am confident that the team we have put together to lead my transition will set the tone for the rest of the Christie Administration.”

Governor-Elect Christie Transition New Jersey Leadership Team

David Samson, Esq. – Chairman
Former New Jersey Attorney General
Senior Partner, Wolff & Samson PC

Dr. Susan A. Cole
President of Montclair State University

Senator Sandra B. Cunningham
State Senator (31st Legislative District)

Debra P. DiLorenzo

President/CEO of the Chamber Of Commerce Southern New Jersey

Michael DuHaime
Managing Director, Mercury Public Affairs, LLC

George Gilmore, Esq.
Partner, Gilmore & Monahan‎

Jon Hanson
Chairman and Founder of the Hampshire Real Estate Companies

Alfred C. Koeppe Executive
Director of the Newark Alliance, former President and COO of PSE&G

Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos, Jr.
State Senator (13th Legislative District)

Mayor John McCormac
Mayor of Woodbridge, former State Treasurer

A Prayer For Veterans

God we thank you for commissioning men and women in the defense of freedom.
We honor those who honor and protect us, in many cases laying down their lives that we might live free to pursue our own destiny.
Every soldier takes his or her oath knowing he or she may be called upon to pay the ultimate sacrifice.
Lord, we cannot repay this gift they give us.
For those who have suffered as a result of their sacrifice, we ask for supernatural healing, favor, peace, and in some cases, forgetfulness.
Lift from them the cares and burdens of violence.
When they return home, give them opportunities to fulfill their own potentials and dreams.
Open doors for them, even when some doors are closed.
God, Bless our veterans.

Meet Waffle House People

From Flash News:
To get a true snapshot of America, just head over to the Waffle House.
Wafflepeople.com compiles photos of the colorful characters that indulge in hearty meals at the diner chain, and creator Orin Shepherd says the establishment is a slice of Americana.
He says, “It seems to have a weird, Norman Rockwell quality. Just everyday people who want eggs and coffee at three in the morning.”
Among the folks captured are drunkards, overweight, gender- ambiguous people browsing the menu, and workers who call the place their second home.
Though most diners are regular folks, the freaks come out at night at the Waffle House. Shepherd recalls one time when he saw a black girl and white girl get into a fist fight after making fun of each other’s hair.
The eatery also tends to attract crazy homeless people, druggies, and partiers who stop in for a hangover cure after a night on the town.

Photo: Dramatic Subway Train Stop

This is a photo from the chilling video that captures a drunk woman's brush with death after she fell on to the tracks of an underground station into the path of an oncoming train.
CCTV images captured the woman falling off the platform onto the tracks before horrified bystanders at Boston's North Station shortly before 11pm on Friday night.
As the lights of a train can be seen approaching, the bystanders frantically waved to the driver in a desperate attempt to get her to stop.
The woman lies motionless on the tracks, apparently having temporarily passed out.
But the female driver of the train reacts instinctively, wrenching her emergency hand brake.
The train comes to a sickening halt - partly over the motionless body of the drunk woman.
Half a second later she leaps out from underneath the train and clambers up the side of the platform.
Photo and details from Britain's Daily Mail.