Gilbert Gottfried.
As a comedian, actor and voice actor, Gottfried is well known for voicing the parrot Iago in Disney’s “Aladdin” and the Aflac Duck.
Gilbert Gottfried returns to Stanhope
Howie Mandel talks about his OCD, ADHD, role as judge of AGT and comedy
Photo provided
Howie Mandel to appear at Morristown Performing Arts Center on July 16.
MORRISTOWN — You may never get to shake Howie Mandel’s hand, but if you’re brave enough you can try heckling him for a response at his upcoming show in Morristown on July 16.
In fact, the judge of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” encourages audience members to speak up at his shows.
“I don’t need a plan when I get on stage,” Mandel said in a phone interview. “I have lots of material and things I can do. If something pulls me off that plan — a noise in room, a technical problem — that is gold for me. I don’t mind if people talk to me. I look at it as one giant party.”
In search of the Northern Lights
Photos by Alexis Tarrazi
By Alexis Tarrazi (Dirt Magazine)
When we booked our vacation, my friend Katie and I thought it was a given that if you traveled thousands of miles to Iceland, you’d see the aurora. It turns out we had much to learn about the Northern Lights, a display caused by solar flares entering earth’s magnetic field, which can only be glimpsed in the Arctic regions… or so we thought.
When we took off from Newark in March, bound for Reykjavik, the interior of the Icelandair plane sported Northern Lights simulations. As our plane touched down on the runway, which had a few inches of snow on it (no biggie for them), we were all smiles.
Oscar has success at Westminster
BY ALEXIS TARRAZI (West Milford Messenger)
Photos provided
Oscar shows off his agility moves.
Farm to bottle distillery opens in Goshen
Bryan Ensall of Fairfax, Va. and John Glebocki of Goshen, recently launched Orange County Distillery — a true farm to bottle operation.
The future of houses
BY ALEXIS TARRAZI (Pike County Courier)
Photos provided
SCRANTON — Milford-based architect Richard Pedranti is bringing a green change to the local area. He is building Northeastern Pennsylvania’s first Passive House or as he calls it, “the future of houses.”
This environmentally-friendly building in Scranton typically use 80 percent less energy for heating and cooling than code built buildings.
“A Passive House conserves energy by creating a virtually air-tight, super insulated, compact building envelope that uses the sun and internal gains to achieve space conditioning,” according to press release about the home. “Exceptional indoor air quality is provided by a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) creating a constant supply of filtered fresh air.”
Ready to shred: Milford local releases book, rock music album
BY ALEXIS TARRAZI (Pike County Courier)
Photos provided
Milford native Mike Harrison.
MILFORD — Milford native Mike Harrison is no stranger to the music scene, having been immersed in it since he was a child.
Taking his passion for music, Harrison recently released a method book for advanced electric guitar players and also produced an album, “Welcome to Glove Mart,” earlier this year.
Film to promote Farm to Table movement
BY ALEXIS TARRAZI (Straus News)
Photo, Delaware Highlands Conservancy Facebook page
The film, “Shop Local: Find Your Experience,” will air at the Pike County Library at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19. Four other short films will also be shown. All of the films will demonstrate how communities, neighborhoods, and schools across the country are seeing the benefits of eating fresh, healthy, local foods and finding ways to connect to the land, whether 100 acres of farmland or small rooftop gardens, according to the Conservancy web site.
NYC acts hit Sussex County
BY ALEXIS TARRAZI (Straus News)
Photos by Chris Wyman
Highland Lakes residents Michael Gelfand (left) and Randy Staley are shown in the process of installing and testing a new set of high-end stage lights. The colorful lights are sound sensitive and are actuated and partially controlled by loud sounds and variations in volume. –
VERNON — The Highlands Lakes Country Club will soon be hopping as local community members have banded together to bring New York City entertainment to the Sussex County area.
Michael Gelfand, Highland Lakes Country Club and Community Association Second Vice President along with Randy and Louise Staley have launched an on-going Concert Series where big name acts will perform at the country club for reasonable prices.
“Part of the reason people struggle to go into city to see shows aside from time and cost is the commute,” said Michael Gelfand, Highland Lakes Country Club and Community Association Second Vice President. “But with this, people can walk to one of the shows or drive 10 or five minutes and see New York City talent right in their own neighborhood and won’t get crushed by ticket prices.”
Girls World Expo to kick off Sunday
BY ALEXIS TARRAZI (Straus News)
Photos by Gale Miko from the 2013 Girls World Expo
Gabby Ellrott of Sparta, Julia Chmielowiec of Glenwood, Ciara Brock of Glenwood.
The day-long event — created by local teen girls for local teen girls from the tri-state area — will be filled with seminars, performances, demonstrations, vendors and fun.
Alexis Tarrazi 
