Rich Monetti
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I am, I write.
Stories (724/0)
Boys Engaging with Phony Guns and Violent Pretend Play Doesn’t Mean They Will Act It Out in Real Life
Photo by Brian Evans I’ve never seen a Ninja movie and have no idea what a Pokemon is. But I’ve witnessed many a boy portray these characters on the playground or in the gym. They can seamlessly fall into character and diligently orchestrate what can often look like a dance of two compliant combatants. Despite the in-depth and well thought out overtures, boys are rarely praised for their envisioning. Remarkable, since the imagined drama almost looks like an operatic production that plays out as a grand struggle between good and evil. On the contrary, this spontaneous choreography, which instinctually emanates from the heroic inner dialogue of boys, typically draws ire and abhorrence from adults. In fact, the mere appearance of violence can provoke thoughtless overreaction from adults, and forget it if one of the participants pulls out a pretend firearm.
By Rich Monetti2 years ago in Education
Mt Kisco Native is Intuitive About His Art
Photo by Sara Hart Hari Edgar Palacio grew up in Mt. Kisco, went to Fox Lane, got a BA at Westchester Community College, a BS from SUNY Purchase and a Masters from Manhattanville College. A very creative mind at his disposal, Palacio has since made his mark across multiple disciplines.
By Rich Monetti2 years ago in Interview
Ed Harris Discusses His Career at the Jacob Burns Film Center
Photo by Gage Skidmore The Jacob Burns Film Center recently held its eighth annual Silver Screen Fundraiser and treated attendees to a 90 minute Q&A with actor Ed Harris. Presenting clips from a career that begin in 1978, New York Times film critic Janet Maslin directed a discourse into the personal and professional life of one of America's finest actors.
By Rich Monetti2 years ago in Geeks
Mick Foley is Now a WWE Smackdown on the Comedy Circuit
Photo by Mike Kalasnik Long before WWE Smackdown became a thing, Mick Foley got his first full-time wrestling job in 1988. Comfortable in the tights as “Cactus Jack,” he soared the heights as WWE’s “Mankind.” Earning three belts, Foley joined wrestling lore in his epic battle against “the Undertaker.” Literally taking flight off a caged structure, he rose to finish despite being knocked unconscious and completing the match with a tooth wedged in his nose. Nonetheless, when finally succumbing to age, retirement gave him the chance to write a bestselling memoir, which resulted in a profession that could quite possibly rival that 16-foot dive off the “Cell from Hell” in 1998.
By Rich Monetti2 years ago in Unbalanced
Tate Donovan Switches TV/Film Gears for Broadway
Photos by nationalwildlife.federation Tate Donovan landed his first major film credit alongside John Cryer and Demi Moore in the 1984 comedy No Small Affair. He followed the introduction up with larger roles in Space Camp, Clean and Sober and Memphis Belle. Off those successes, Donovan co-starred in his first leading role with Sandra Bullock in Love Potion No. 9, and has built a career that has kept him busily bouncing between films such as Swordfish and The Pacifier and TV stints on Friends, Ally McBeal, The OC and Damages. In June, he follows up his 2010 Broadway run on the Southie based drama Good People with something that he tongue-in-cheek considers contemporary.
By Rich Monetti2 years ago in Geeks
Ricardo Khan’s 'Fly' Takes off with the Tuskegee Airmen
Photo by Neon Tommy In 2008, as director Ricardo Khan was co-writing Fly with Trey Ellis, he made sure to be present when the Tuskegee Airmen were being honored at President Barack Obama’s inauguration. His realization was that the moment was set aside to recognize all the doors that these brave Americans opened. But for all the courage and patriotism that propelled these heroes, patience may have been the strength these fighter pilots needed most. Because what they returned to did not match up to their dream of making America a better place.
By Rich Monetti2 years ago in Serve
Jeremy Irons Moonlights at the Jacob Burns Film Center
A few years ago, Jeremy Irons appeared at Jacob Burn Film Center. Here's a look back at the evening. Jeremy Irons recently made an Q&A appearance with Jacob Burns Board President Janet Maslin for a screening of the 1982 film, Moonlighting. In scheduling, Irons and Maslin wanted to offer something that people might not have seen before. Conversely, the Academy Award winning actor was only too happy to defer on the obvious choice of Reversal of Fortune. It took only one word to dispel whether he’s spent enough time over the years talking about Clause Von Bulow.
By Rich Monetti2 years ago in Geeks
Suburban Brawl Brings Roller Derby to Yonkers
Photo by Larry Lamsa Suburbia Roller Derby does not need a Jimmy Dugan to dissertate on the incompatibility of skating and crying. But when it's more than hurt feelings at stake, a salty discharge is certainly not tolerated in the "league" Yonkers calls its "own." One need only look to Chappaqua Mom and Suburban Brawl Jammer Jane "Lesley E. Visserate" McManus for the answer.
By Rich Monetti2 years ago in Unbalanced
Cucina Antica Tomato Sauce Brings Sunday Dinner Home at My House
Photo by Tony Growing up, Sunday meant macaroni and meatballs and represented a nearly religious ritual that Church could never supplant. In fact, when my mother did occasionally stray from doctrine, she—at best—was greeted with some very quizzical glances at two in the afternoon. That said, sauce in a jar could have easily led to her excommunication, and no council of cardinals would have been required. So I was skeptical about doing a profile of a locally and ready made sauce called Cecina Antica. But it also presented the chance to restore my sauce-less Sunday’s to their sacred place.
By Rich Monetti2 years ago in Feast
Fox Lane Sports Moments to Remember
Here's a look back at some great Fox Lane Sports moments. Relay 4X400 Team Gets Ready for Millrose Games The Millrose Games are about as prestigious as it gets for track and field athletes. That said, qualifying for the competition definitely creates scholarship potential for the high school track star who get to lace up for this historic New York City venue. It's one that dates back a hundred years and partially had Fox Lane Track Coach Chris Dossena agreeing that his girls 4x400 relay team should take the long view of qualifying for Saturday’s running in the New York City. But on the whole, he believes the opportunity represents something much more tangible.
By Rich Monetti2 years ago in Unbalanced
If You Ever Heard of the Bacon Rebellion, You Might Fully Support the Infrastructure Bill Rather than Republican Billionaires
Photo by herval Wait a minute, I’m a person of low, middle or upper middle class means, and I don't support the infrastructure because I don’t know what the Bacon Rebellion is. Well, that’s admittedly a stretch. But a little knowledge would might get you to reconsider things. You certainly know the rich will do anything to hold onto every last sliver of wealth and privilege. So why do you believe their party line - rising their boats will do the same for yours. Thus, the infrastructure bill must go. Ok, let the history lesson begin.
By Rich Monetti2 years ago in The Swamp
Kyle Rittenhouse did Act in Self Defense but He and His “Patriotic” Militia are Still Guilty
Photo by Tony Alter In late October, a New York Times video report broke down the Kyle Rittenhouse case. So after viewing, I have come to a conclusion that I am relunctant to admit. It looks like Kyle Rittenhouse shot and killed two people because he feared for his life. Yes, he defended himself, but his individual case is too narrow a framework to arrive at an overall verdict.
By Rich Monetti2 years ago in The Swamp