PRESS RELEASE:  The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation will hold its Annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Holmdel, NJ. Hundreds of veterans and their families are anticipated to attend. The guest speaker at this year's ceremony is Brigadier General (Ret) Vincent E. Stahl. The ceremony will also include the presentation of two scholarships to New Jersey high school seniors and the induction of five Vietnam Veterans into the Memorial's "In Memory" program. 

"Veterans and their families from across New Jersey are invited to attend the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation Ceremony. The emotional and stirring day pays real tribute to those who served and continue to serve this Country," said Bill Linderman, Executive Director, New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation.
 
Brigadier General (Ret) Vincent E. Stahl of Milltown, NJ was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant after graduating as an ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate from Saint Peter's College. After completing Armor Officer Branch and Airborne School, he served in a variety of positions with the 4th Medium Tank Battalion, 37th Armor.  Stahl joined the 5th Special Forces Group in 1964 and was assigned as a Detachment Executive Officer in the Central Highlands. Upon release from active duty, General Stahl joined the Army Reserve and served a variety of commands including Army Reserve Ambassador for the state of New Jersey. He has enjoyed a successful career in the Pharmaceutical Industry and makes frequent presentations related to his experiences

The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation will be awarding two $2,500 college scholarships during the ceremony. The scholarship recipients are Sarah Twomey of Pennington, graduating from Hopewell Valley Central High School in Pennington, and Steven Penna of Sparta, graduating from Sparta High School in Sparta. 

During the ceremony, the Foundation will induct five Vietnam Veterans into its "In Memory" Program, which honors NF residents who served and died as a result of the war in Vietnam, but whose names are not on the Memorial. Some of these deaths are due to Agent Orange exposure, Hepatitis C and the physical or emotional wounds received in Vietnam. The inductees' names will be placed on an engraved stone inside the Memorial so that all who visit will know that they are with their honored comrades. 

As part of the ceremony, family members will say a few words about their loved ones and light a candle in their memories.  A book of biographical information, complied by the family, is also placed in the Vietnam Era Museum & Educational Center's Resource Room. 

The five "In Memory" inductees are:

• Specialist 4th Class William D. Buist of Belleville, NJ
• Sergeant Michael J. Green of Harrison, NJ
• Specialist 4th Class Alan A. Howardell of Rahway, NJ
• Sergeant Daniel L. O'Connell of Atlantic City, NJ
• Sergeant First Class Daniel R. Shea of Lambertville, NJ

Vietnam Era Museum & Educational Center Open Memorial Day

During the day, the Vietnam Era Museum & Educational Center will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Admission is free. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the Museum’s exhibit hall features a chronology of the Vietnam War that presents a historical recollection of the events of the era, shown in two concurrent timelines – one reflecting the activity in Vietnam and the other reflecting the activity in the United States. The unique space offers visitors a full perspective of the political, military, social and cultural elements in play during the time. Interspersed along this timeline are touch screen computers that provide visitors with an interactive glance at historical events, as well as personal photographs and letters submitted by Vietnam veterans and their families.

“Dedicated in September 1998, the Vietnam Era Museum & Educational Center is the first educational center and museum of its kind in the United States,” said Bill Linderman, Executive Director, New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation. “As a Vietnam War veteran, I am honored to pay tribute to the courageous men and women through the stories we share daily. Education is key to preserving our past and honoring the fallen and soldiers who valiantly served our Country.”

The Museum is located adjacent to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial off the Garden State Parkway at exit 116 in Holmdel. The Memorial is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Museum & Educational Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. For more information on the Memorial or Museum, call 732-335-0033 or visit www.njvvmf.org.

Pavers Program at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation

For a $250 donation, a personal message of a person's choosing can be engraved on one of the pavers lining the sides of the Memorial walkway. New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation's pavers are a tribute to the men and women of New Jersey who served this nation during the Vietnam War. If you have any questions about this program, please contact Lynn Duane at lduane@njvvmf or 732-335-0033 xt. 100.

A surprise!  From Ashley Salazar!  I was very excited!

Ashley Salazar - you may recognize the name - is Playboy's Miss Social of the Year 2013!  (Click here to see some of her extraordinary photos from her Playboy photo shoot earlier this year.)  She's a Maxim model, too.

Ashley Salazar (now soon-to-be Ashley Stormborn with impending nuptials) and I had been following each other on Twitter for a while.  We have a lot in common:  We are both bilingual - although she speaks Spanish a lot better than I do!  We share a love of nature and animals (She is highly active in efforts to save rhinos from poaching;) and we are both moms to little girls.

I saw her amazing photos, such perfect presentation, exquisite lighting, and of course her natural beauty - and got to know that there was also a beautiful businesswoman behind it all. 

She's the CEO and founder of MissOohLaLaa.com, and a professional photographer!  She's not only great on camera, but she's a star behind the lens, too.  She's the force behind Lady Ashley Photography - bringing out the beauty in everyone from aspiring models, to capturing special events like weddings.

"I have experience in front of the camera from my years as a model which I believe makes me very creative and flexible with getting more than just average shots. I can also offer my models make-up artists, stylist work, and modeling jobs," she says.

Honestly, her experience posing in front of the camera is invaluable when it comes to photographing her subjects, because she knows not just the technical aspects of how to produce the perfect picture, but all about the posing point of view, as well.  It's a rare combination to possess.

In the midst of planning her wedding, this lovely lady had taken the time to pose wearing one of my signature t-shirts and surprised me in the best way possible.  Right after I had finished dinner, I saw Twitter and Facebook light up with this fabulous photo of her sporting a TheLadyinRedBlog t-shirt with her starlit smile.  She took my breath away!  I can't tell you how thrilled I was to receive this surprise - revealed to the world in the best way.  She's got a permanent place in my gallery.

I look to Ashley for inspiration.  So do many others.  She inspires women to be beautiful inside and out, to be proud of who they are, and do it with a smile at the same time. And to the guys out there, yes, she's just downright gorgeous through and through.

Thank you Ashley!  

Ashley Salazar is in the running for Maxim Magazine's Hometown Hotties for 2014.  Click on the button below to go vote for her on Maxim's website!  You can vote once a day!

PRESS RELEASE:  Red Bank, NJ (May 13, 2013) – Thousands are anticipated to turn out for the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation’s (JSJBF) Jazz and Blues Summer Series Festivals. Each date in the series will feature crowd-pleasing jazz and blues musicians, food, crafters and activities for the entire family. Beer and wine gardens will be featured at Asbury Park and Point Pleasant Borough and fireworks at Long Branch. The festivals are free to the public, dog friendly and all ages are welcome to attend. Each year, sponsor donations from the events raise essential funds for the nonprofit Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation’s operational expenses. Sponsors include Comcast, Investors Bank, Hunterdon Brewing Company, Lagunitas Brewing Company and Alex and Ani.
 
"After much devastation from Sandy, music lovers from across the Jersey Shore are in the mood to celebrate an exciting season of top-notch entertainment seaside. The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation has been honored to present jazz and blues fans, young and old, with our award-winning Jazz and Blues Festivals for 25 years. The events are widely-anticipated by thousands of residents and shore visitors," said Dennis Eschbach, Event Director, Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Festivals. "Thanks to the dedication of our 2013 sponsors, musicians and host towns, we anticipate this year's festivals to be bigger and better than ever!” 

Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Summer Series of Music Festivals • 3 Days of Jazz & Blues

Asbury Park Blues and Brews Festival, Bradley Park, Across from the Convention Hall and the Boardwalk, Asbury Park, NJSaturday, June 8, Noon – 8:00 p.m.

Headliner: Mikey Jr. & Stone Cold Blues with Special Guest Steve Guyger
Asbury Park Lineup
12:00-1:00p.m. Carlos Colina & Straight Up
1:15- 2:15 p.m.  Slim Chance & The Gamblers
2:30- 3:30 p.m.  Chuck Lambert Band
3:45- 4:45 p.m.  Sandy Mack & Friends
5:00 -6:15 p.m.  Jon Herrington Band (Steely Dan Guitarist)
6:30- 8:00 p.m.  Mikey Jr. & Stone Cold Blues featuring Steve Guyger
 
Point Pleasant Jazz and Blues Festival, Riverfront Park, Corner of Maxson Avenue and River Road, Point Pleasant Borough, NJSaturday, July 20, Noon – 8:00 p.m.

Headliner: The Soul Project featuring Eryn Shewell
Point Pleasant Lineup
12:00-1:00 p.m. Barbecue Bob & The Spareribs
1:15- 2:15 p.m.  Randy Napoleon Band
2:30- 3:30 p.m.  Juke Joint Jonny
3:45- 4:45 p.m.  Sandy Sasso Quartet
5:00 -6:15 p.m.  The Incinerators
6:30- 8:00 p.m.  The Soul Project featuring Eryn Shewell
 
Long Branch Jazz and Blues Festival, Great Lawn at the Boardwalk, 28 McKinley Avenue, Long Branch, NJSaturday, August 24, Noon-10:00 p.m. followed by fireworks

Headliner: The Rob Paparozzi AllStarsLong Branch Lineup
1:00- 1:25 p.m.  Gary Wright
1:30- 2:30 p.m.  The Blind Tellers
2:45- 3:45 p.m.  Dorian Parreott Jazz Ensemble
4:00-5:00 p.m.  Bob Del Rosso Band
5:15- 6:15 p.m.  The Long Gone Daddies
6:30-7:30 p.m.  Al Chez & The Brothers of Funk
7:45- 9:15 p.m.  The Rob Paparozzi AllStars

Founded in 1987, the nonprofit Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation remains dedicated to its efforts to preserve, promote and perpetuate jazz and blues on the Jersey Shore through performance and education. Visit www.jsjbf.org  for more information. Connect with the JSJBF on Facebook at Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Festival and Twitter @JSJazzBluesFest. For information on becoming a festival sponsor, food vendor or crafter, contact Doris Lazur at 732-933-1984 or [email protected].

I'm getting all choked up as I finish this celebration! Wow! Just wow! So many people coming together and supporting each other now all connected through TheLadyinRedBlog after just one year! I'm so happy! I hope that this Red Hot Birthday Bash has brought many of you happiness, too! Let's keep it going!

I'd love to see you all swing by again to share photos of your swag, read some recipes, leave your comments on blogs I write, or listen to me on the radio from time to time and see what's going on in the world of RED!

There are lots of exciting things on their way - periodic giveaways, the Red Hot Store is opening this summer on TheLadyinRedBlog.com, and there are plans for this media venture to expand!

If you won a prize, please, email a photo of yourself, your pet, your kids, or your friends enjoying it at [email protected] It's not required, but it would sure be fun! :)   I'll post it on my blog Facebook page and share it with the sponsors of the prizes!  I'm sure they would love to see you having a great time with the gifts!

The sponsors and I will be very busy sending out the prizes to all of you who won them over the next couple of weeks.  Don't worry! You'll get them if you gave us a mailing address!  If you live outside of the USA, it will probably take a few weeks for a prize to reach you once it is mailed, since it has to travel further and go through customs.  Thank you for your patience!

A HUGE thank you to all of my sponsors for this amazing one year anniversary celebration!  I couldn't have done this without you!

The Cheese Cave 1 month of Cheese:  Khurt Williams

Chick Nail Polish 4 pack:  Ruby Red

Red Cup Living Prize Pack:  Bruce Hamilton

Kleen Slate Concepts Prize Pack:  Anca Soble

Glitzsee Motion Activated Purse Light: Shanali Davila

Wine with RobYnwitha-Y Wine Glass & T-shirt:  Michele McCann

The Purple Heart by Christie A.C. Gucker: Amelia Neo

Soft Claws Nail Caps for Cats: Christie Gucker

Strappys Decorative Red Rhinestone Bra Straps: Fernanda Garcia
                                                                 Conni Liner Wright

Red Beaded Bracelet by Bella Bling Jewels:  Andria Hall

The Hungry Chick Dieting Solution by Chef Jai Scovers:Debbie Norz

Johnny Jalopy Hot Rod Art Prize Pack:  Beth Pekar

The Cliff by Christie A.C. Gucker:    Stacy Bradley
                                                Jaime Gerard

Mad Hatter Foods Prize Pack:  Matthew Wayland

Duff Goldman Baking Set:  Georgia Beckman

Pastry Shop Cookies Gourmet Apples:  Patty Baskerville

Flirt Energy Drink 12-pack:  Robin Fisher-Tracy

s.a.l.t.y. Cosmetics Gift Set:  Heather Feimer

willulu Hand Made Jewellery wine charms:  Nancy Regan

Guardian Angels by Andrew P. Weston:  Deborah Smith Bunnell

The BackSide phone wallets:  Amanda Thandeka Niescior
                                        DG Middendorf
                                        Dora Szep
                                        Dave White

Bella Rouge Gift Set:  Felicia Nigro Ballard

Christine Peglar's Cookbok of Hope: Elizabeth Riner Splinter
                                                Stacy Bradley
                                                Deb Cacciatore
                                                Melissa Wallack
                                                Debbie Norz
                                                Joni Hazlett
                                                Nancy Regan
                                                Nicole Borota
                                                Starr Montemayor
                                                Anca Soble
                                                Beth Pekar

Calabro Chiropractic 50 Minute Massage:  Evelyn Ruhl

The NecessiTeas Tea Gift Set:  Denise Paci-Chenavier

Dolce Hair Design Free Haircut Gift Certificate:  Melissa Wallack
                                                                Michele Boyle

Take Things Personally Wine Charms, etc.:   Sly Smith
                                                            Melissa Bailey
                                                            Pauline Silva Garcia

Exotic & Domestic Wood Art Wine Table:  Tara Chevrestt

2012 Science & ProphecyOfTheAncientMaya: Linda Lopez
                                                           Charlotte Ouwerkerk
                                                           Nancy Regan
                                                           Lisa Freiling
                                                           Philippa Turner
                                                           Dora Szep
                                                           Becky Lanzano
                                                           Elizabeth Riner Splinter
                                                           Anthony Walker

EveryGirlShouldHaveASpecialGlass Drink Glasses:  Lisa Freiling

Red Stone Creations Bar Ware:   Elizabeth Riner Splinter
                                            Autumn Oertel
                                            Jose Mont
                                            Diana Passanisi
                                            Charlotte Ouwerkerk
                                            Karen Gibbons

How to Catch a Cold by Adam Newman:   Joni Hazlett
                                                        Dawn Switzer

Mr. Ghost iPhone EMF Detectors:    Daniel Lees
                                                Anthony Walker
                                                Dobronyi Alexander Selman

My AVON by Fer TheLadyinRed Gift Set:  Starr Montemayor

4ASTAR Modeling Contract:  Kelsey Parker

YouCanAlwaysFindA Flush in There by Ava Holly Lewis:  Anca Soble

Boardwalk Fresh Burgers & Fries $50 Gift Card:  Backy Lanzano

SuccessSecretsOfAMillion$PartyGirl by LynnBardowski: Colleen
                                                                         Hoffman

MommyJuice Wines Wine Glasses:  Kris Radcliffe

Audiofly Headphones:  Cheryl Sab

Javita Weightloss Coffee (1 box):  India Lipton

The Travels of Ching by Robert Bright:  Jenna Porter

GreenSwarovski Crystal Necklace by GoToWhitney:  Philippa Turner

SLIMROCK Low Calorie Bar Mixers: Allison Kaufman Tankel

Glam Fashion For Less Goodies:  Melissa Wright Keeling

"Relax" photographic print by Digital Artscape:  Joy Todaro

Old World Gourment Vinolicious:  Jennifer Eichenbaum

Jerk Daddy Tropical Catering Sauces:  Marc Ullman

Pop.N.Go Scarlet Vines Scarf:  Amy Phelps

Tanya Charlesworth Photography Package:  Dawn Amodio

Fleur de lis By Romanomics Red Flapper-Inspired Hat:  Nancy Regan

Fitness on a Swing Set by Karen Goeller:  Andria Hall

It Works! Skinny Pack by Skinny Wraps with Colleen:  Whitney Utz

Thirty-One Red Bags + Gift Certificate:  Renee Szalkowski

Viva Editions 3 book pack:  Maggie Finley

Charles Ramsey, the hero of the three kidnapped girls (Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, and Michele Knight)– their angel – was eating McDonald's when he heard Amanda Berry cry for help and rescued her from her captor(s).  The subhuman kidnapper (whom I refuse to name, because he does NOT deserve any notoriety for his actions) had left the house that his victims were in because – he was going to get McDonald's food.

McDonald’s.

I wonder if it was the same McDonald’s that Ramsey and the kidnapper frequented.  I wonder if they passed each other on the street that day going to and from McDonald’s not knowing how they would change the course of each other’s lives, the lives of the three women in that house with the young girl, and their families.

Ironic, right?

Ever notice the irony of life sometimes? The things that we pass off as mere coincidence?  Maybe it’s not coincidence. Maybe it’s fate.

Have you ever been driving somewhere with a  destination in your head – like you were on your way to work, and have driven the same roads a thousand times before, but for some reason, you kept going straight when you should have made that right turn?  Do you ever wonder why that happened?  I do. 

Once I was on my way to a drugstore, and I made a wrong turn that didn’t make any sense to my conscious mind.  I remember feeling momentarily frustrated that I then had to backtrack to get to where I was going.  When I approached the road leading up to the store, I saw that a pretty bad traffic accident had happened about one minute before I got to that intersection on my re-routed journey.  I would have been where that now demolished car was if I had driven my usual route.  I stopped feeling so frustrated at that moment.  Did my “wrong” turn just save my life?  Maybe it wasn’t “my time” and fate or Divine intervention navigated those roads for me.  Maybe I was meant to veer off course.

You can’t tell my former co-worker that it wasn’t more than luck the day that he was late for work when the World Trade Center was attacked in 2001.  He would have been in that building had he not had to wait in a really long line for coffee that morning.  He’s alive today because he had a coffee craving, and the checkout wasn’t moving as fast as it usually was.  He’s never been so grateful for a cup of java in his life.

I’m sure you’ve heard about the stories where people have missed planes and initially were very bothered by that inconvenience, only to find out hours later that the plane went down and they were thankful that they weren’t able to board.

When I observe situations like this, I can’t help but think that everything happens for a reason. 

I’ve read a book about fate and coincidence: When God Winks:  How the Power of Coincidence Guides Your Life – by Squire Rushnell.  It has become one of my favorite books over the years.  I’m not a very religious person, and although the book references “God” in its title, it’s really not about God.   The message is about fate, divine intervention, or coincidences too strong to ignore that are sometimes life altering.  It’s about recognizing those signs in life, and when you do, embrace them, rather than dismiss them as nonconsequential.  In this book, Rushnell gives many anecdotes about the lives of those who are our friends, neighbors, and people we pass on the street, to those who are famous, and shows that they are successful and happy because they have chosen to embrace these “signs” sent their way rather than dismiss them along their life’s journeys, and appreciate them, too – the “small” miracles.

It’s kind of interesting when you think about it.

If Charles Ramsey wasn’t walking by the kidnappers’ house that day, and it were a small child instead, playing outside, or an elderly woman hard-of-hearing, or a man on his way to work – too busy to stop and looking the other way – those girls would still be locked up against their will.  It took a colorful man like Ramsey, who went with his instincts and didn’t over think things, who wasn’t too busy to rescue these girls and didn’t look the other way, to rescue them.  He had to be in the right place at the right time; not someone else, and not before or after.  Fate.  Thank God for McDonald's.