Caught Between a ROCK and a HEART PLACE

Documentary News

As we wind down 2008, there's plenty of "ink" devoted to the "best of" lists. They always surface around this time of year!

Here's two links on some interesting "list" articles you might find interesting.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/30/movies/homevideo/30dvds.html?_r=1

http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/6112/the-ten-best-film-documentaries-of-2008

Enjoy - and Happy New Year.

-Michael

So this is Christmas . . . . . .

Couple of things to report on. We had our screening at the Linda Theater up in Albany. While not a sell-out, it was a great experience. It's the first time we've seen the film in its' entirety in a year. Proudly, it holds up quite well. Ironically, Tim McLoone mentions being at war - filmed in 2001. As always, the audience is impressed at the growth of Holiday Express and we were able to bring them up to date on the organization between the time of the film ending and their current operations.

The 2008 Holiday Express season is coming to a conclusion. 53 events in 30 days. The time still flies and it's good to return to some of the events and see old friends. Sad though to see the food lines increasing this year. Guess there will always be a need for Holiday Express.

Finally, the actual holiday is upon us. Stop worrying about shopping, racing around losing your patience. Spend time with your families and friends. They're far more important.

Merry Christmas.

-Michael

Rockin', Rolling and Reaching Out in Red Bank

Holiday Express rolls into Red Bank on Tuesday and Thursday this week to put on two fundraising concerts to the general public. Proceeds from the shows support the year-long efforts of the organization.

An article in the Red Bank Orbit today eloquently describes the private shows they put on in the 30 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas:

We’ve said this several times before, but it bears repeating that for many people, McLoone and his organization have come to represent a Good Neighbor Sam kind of America that many refused to believe had died; a place where artificial divisions of class, creed and corrosive ideology break down — and where even as goofy a tune as “Disco Santa” can itself break down all resistance with its message of brotherhood and generosity of spirit.

That's the spirit captured in ROCK and a HEART PLACE and the documentary is being used as an example of voluntarism and grass roots organizing by individuals and civic organizations across the country.

If you can, get over to the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank and watch a great Christmas concert by some of the Jersey Shore's top musicians. It'll be a show you won't forget.

-Michael

Clever Ideas for Holiday Volunteering

'Tis the time of the year when people turn their thoughts to charitable giving in one form or another. Here's an article from the on-line edition of the Wall Street Journal for some "tongue-in-cheek" alternatives to giving.

Have some interesting ideas of your own other than the "check-book" kind? Pass them along here in the comments section.

-Michael

An Appeal from Bruce Springsteen

A long time supporter of the Community FoodBank of NJ, Bruce Springsteen recently lent his visual support for an ad for that 20 year old organization.

It's ironic, how the world is so small. Bruce is also good friends with Tim McLoone and has appeared at a number of Holiday Express events. In fact, we managed to capture one of those unique moments in ROCK and a HEART PLACE.

Both Holiday Express and the NJ FoodBank depend on the kindness of volunteer armies to keep their operations moving. As demonstrated in the film, volunteering can be a fun activity rather than looked at as an obligation. Find the right fit with an organization for you and your family. Start your kids off young by teaching them that voluntarism can be as fulfilling as sports, video games, cell phone texting and computers.

Volunteer. Enjoy. Be thankful. Give and you'll get.

-Michael

Citizenship in the Community: the reality show

We’ve been excited to hear recently of scoutmasters who have recommended ROCK and a HEART PLACE as a great film to help earn the scouting ‘Citizenship in the Community’ merit badge.  The educational version, a mere 35 minutes long, is the ideal length for a screening followed by discussion.  An excellent example of how one person with an idea can make a difference in the lives of thousands, ROCK and a HEART PLACE can be counted on to offer plenty of thought-provoking dialogue. 

-Nancy

PS - we're offering a special 20% discount to scoutmasters on the educational version of the documentary. Click here to take advantage of this offer.

The Christmas Countdown Begins . . . . . .

Another Holiday Express season begins, and with 52 events planned, the only way to get them all in before Christmas is to start…before Thanksgiving.  Fortunately for Holiday Express, they have the people power to start strong and go long.  Holiday Express - the focus of our documentary, ROCK and a HEART PLACE - is a classic, grass-roots organization that started over 15 years ago with nothing more than a dream.  Today with hundreds of volunteers, they continue to work their mission statement, which is to “deliver the gift of human kindness.”  Keeping the seasoned veterans while soliciting new volunteers is easy once they catch the true “meaning of life” feeling contagious in the joyful audiences at the many events. 

One of the reasons ROCK and a HEART PLACE stays relevant is that there is a connection between the viewer, the audience member and the volunteer. The common denominator in life no matter how different the circumstances is the sincere interest in another person’s existence for no other reason but to share a moment in time.

We are looking at a particularly difficult economic time ahead and those at the bottom are always going to feel it the worst.  Holiday Express gives anyone an outlet to do something about feelings of helplessness in light of needs so great.  They do it one-on-one, and for a brief time, bring some comfort to those who need it the most. 

This year, in the midst of the continuing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, one of the events on the schedule is going to be for the families of our soldiers.  The site for this event is none other than Asbury Park’s Convention Hall, a space graciously offered by Madison Marquette, the developer responsible for so much of the resurgence of the AP boardwalk this year.

With the thoughts of bail outs rippling through the consciousness of anyone aware of the situation in the marketplace, Holiday Express begins again to bail out our little corner of the world, touching those here in NJ, but resonating with our troops, half way round the world.  Santa has to be proud.

-Nancy

Asbury Park Rebirth. Then the Economy Tanks.

In my previous post, I started writing about the "jewel by the sea" - Asbury Park and the role it's playing in our lives. One thing I forgot to mention is the recent article in the NYTimes featuring one of our favorite restaurateurs Marilyn Schlossbach and her brand new venture: Langosta Lounge. Check out the article at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/nyregion/16towns.html?scp=1&sq=asbury%20park&st=cse

By the way, one of our favorite quotes of the piece comes from Lance Larson - musician, Wonder Bar manager and veteran of Asbury Park - sums up Asbury's revival coinciding with the failing economy: "We've been to hell already," he said. "Been there, done that. If we could handle that, we can handle this."

Apropos of the tough-skinned, hopeful spirits in Asbury Park. Come visit. People with vision welcomed.

-Michael

Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ

For those of you who remember Asbury Park as "what it use to be", or home to Bruce Springsteen, or a run down city with no hope of coming back to its glory days - - - - - you should come visit it now. I don't think you'd recognize the place. True, it still has quite a way to go, and the economic downturn is not helping it come back any faster. But there's a lot of hope here as well as a lot of re-building. Thanks to the developer Madison Marquette, the boardwalk has all the pavilions open - - even now in the winter. Great restaurants, fashionable shops, Live Nation programming the Paramount (newly restored) and Convention Hall. The Stone Pony and The Wonder Bar are also open. Then there's the downtown area all along Cookman Ave that is springing to life with restaurants, galleries, shops and its really becoming the center of the Spirit of Asbury.

So what's all this got to do with ROCK and a HEART PLACE? Well, Holiday Express is a Monmouth County charitable organization. Tim McLoone owns a new supper club here on the boardwalk. Many of the band members play locally here in the clubs and have quite a following. Asbury has kind of been our second home for the past few years ever since the production of the film, and its getting more so every day as an exciting ever changing place to be.

If you're a "creative-type", c'mon down to Asbury Park. I think you'll like it.

-Michael

ROCK out the cold

Hello all you rockin' elves out there! Here's a reminder that Holiday Express has scheduled their 2008 season public shows - one is at the NJ Performing Arts Center in Newark on December 10th and there will be two shows at the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank on December 16th and 18th. Click on the links and order tickets. The shows are great - you can see examples of the performances in
ROCK and a HEART PLACE, of course!

Christmas Gift Idea - give tickets to any one of the shows as Christmas Gifts to friends, family or general Grinch's in you life. They'll be thanking you all year long.

And since these are benefit concerts, your gift will keep giving all year long by helping to support Holiday Express.

-Michael