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® I ssue1296•November17-December14,2020

PL UGGE DI NAGAI N ( SE EBI T S)

HAPPY80T HBDA YBUGS

BOUNT I F ULGOURME T SE ACL I F FBAGE LCAF E

PHOT OCRE DI T : MARYMCCART NE Y

NEWPAULMcCARTNEYAL BUM

THIS IS MY COLUMN

I didn't think that a month could go by so fast. I had become used to quarantine time, which moved unbelievably slow. Yet, here we are with our second big issue of Good Times, which has risen up like the Phoenix. I have to thank everyone who helped make our first re-launch issue a huge success. Advertising was better than hoped, and we really appreciated the kind words of encouragement from our readers and friends. At a time like this, knowing that there are people out there who care makes all the difference. You may have noticed many changes in the latest issue – the biggest, of course, is our holding off on publishing a music calendar for now. With state agencies breathing down the necks of clubs and restaurants, we want to be a positive force. For now, we will

continue with our Live Stream and Virtual Shows sections. Our restaurants are hurting, and we need to show them as much support as we can. We've been out to more than a half dozen restaurants in the past few months and were pleased that they were so safety conscious. At none of the places did we feel uncomfortable. We've expanded out dining section to include the always popular Bountiful Gourmet, LI Bites, and our new Dining Deals – a big hit, featuring some of the best specials available to help you save money and have an enjoyable dining experience. We were delighted that several of the restaurants reported getting calls from our readers to dine with them. Art Galleries and Museums seem to have been hits, as was

By B y R Ri ic ch h B Br ra an nc ci if fo or rt te e

Collectibles. It was great to have our columnists, Lloyd Carroll, Jimi LaLumia, and Rich Branciforte Jr,. back with their insights. Hard to believe, but Lloyd and Jimi have been writing for Good Times a combined 80 years. And kudos also go out to our editor, Bob Smith, who wrote much of the issue as well as taking care of the important production side along with our able art director, Craig Cardone. I can't say enough about our famed, feared distribution crew: Barry Oliver, Paul Timmons, and Mike Courtney. They got the issue out in an orderly fashion in a very different retail environment. Good Times as always

2 • Good Times Magazine - November 17 - December 14, 2020

is available free at hundreds of retail locations or you can read our digital edition at issuu.com/ goodtimesmag. It's very hard to put out a magazine with everything that's going on so we ask for your support. Advertise your business or band and promote yourselves and help us, take an inexpensive classified (only 90 cents a word), or leave us your bitcoin collection in your will. And don't hesitate to call me at (516) 2802100 to let me know what's going on with you. We actually take calls and return them. Email press releases to gtmag@optonline.net. Have a healthy and safe Thanksgiving.

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Virtually Employed: A Job Fair Right At Home Here’s a unique concept if you find yourself seeking work during these uncertain times: A virtual online Long Island Job Fair takes place on December 10 from 11 am to 2 pm; employers seeking employees can call (702) 269-1414 to learn how to get involved. JobFairX virtual job fairs offer you the opportunity to connect with employers from your area without having to get dressed or leave home. For complete information or to register, log on to Eventbrite.com and search under “Virtual Long Island Job Fair.” The best part? It’s free for job seekers.

Note: Some photos used are to illustrate activites at events, and do not depict the actual events themselves.

Via Pixabay

Publisher Richard Branciforte

Photography Randi Savron Wayne Herrschaft (headlampdigital.com) Distribution Barry Oliver Paul Timmons Mike Courtney

584 Mineola Ave., Suite 2 Carle Place, NY 11514 (516) 280-2100 FAX: (516) 280-2103 All Contents © 2020 Good Times Magazine Ltd. Published Bi-Weekly In case of errors in an ad, advertisers must notify publisher in writing within 10 days of publication. Rebate will be given in space credit and is limited to the amount of space occupied by the error. We cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited material.

Next Publication Date:

December 15, 2020 Good Times Magazine IS NOW AVAILABLE In A Digital Version For Your PC, Phone, iPad, or Tablet! Log on to:

issuu.com/goodtimesmag Now You Can Read Us Everywhere! Cover Photos: AC/DC courtesy Columbia Records

It’s Almost Time: Top Spots For Your 2020 Christmas Tree

We are arriving at the point where it’s time for holiday shopping and Christmas trees – so here’s a handy pocket guide to some popular spots to think polar: Pick up a tree at Hicks Nursery in Westbury, (516) 334-0066 … Dees’ Nursery in Oceanside, (516) 678-3535 … Carter Christmas Tree Farm in Miller place, (631) 331-4699 … Elwood Pumpkin & Christmas Tree Farm in Huntington, (631) 368-8626. Call these locations to find out the dates when trees will be available, as well as for hours and directions.

Editorial Contributors Lloyd Carroll Jimi LaLumia Cody Bell

Good Times (ISSN 0191-4995) is published bi-weekly Good Times Magazine Ltd.

Via Pixabay

Magic Of Lights Returns

The Magic of Lights Holiday Light Show at Jones Beach is now open, running through January 2 at Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh. The event consists of light displays spread across a mile of drive-thru paths. Hours for this year’s colorful event: Sundays through Thursdays, 5 to 10 pm, and Fridays and Saturdays, 5 to 11 pm. To learn about specials, get a glimpse of the lights, and much more: magicoflights.com/events/ jonesbeach/.

Open In LI: Vanderbilt Museum

The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum in Centerport has been open since July, but there are facts you should know. Visitors can enjoy many Vanderbilt attractions: the first floor of the Hall of Fishes marine museum; the Habitat and Stoll Wing animal dioramas; and the first-floor natural-history and cultural artifact galleries in the Memorial Wing. The Vanderbilt Mansion living quarters and the Riechert Planetarium remain closed at this time. The Vanderbilt grounds will be open to a limited number of visitors on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from noon to 5 pm. Facial coverings and social distancing – keeping at least six feet away from others – are required. For more information: (631) 8545579 or see the website (pictured at left).

Good Times Magazine • November 17 - December 14, 2020 • 3

A Howard Holiday A most worthy gift certificate is one for Bobb Howard's General Store in New Hyde Park (call them at (516) 354-9564) so that the giftee can go wild picking out stuff from the massive array of old-time candy brands, toys and games, lunchboxes, and as much fun as you can have while sitting in a circle on the floor.

Be An Islander In the span of just a few years, Mark Frankel has taken his Huntington-based internet store Long Island Watch and turned it into one of thee most favored web storefronts for collectors’ brands. Last year, Frankel debuted his first “official” watch: Islander, nifty automatic watches with great movements that also pay homage to this strip of land (see below). There is now a full line of Islander watches; call (631) 470-0762 or log on to longislandwatch.com to get your pick.

Get Strüng Jenny Mann and Tim Barbour of the Long Island-based, nationally touring hard rockers Blameshift are two of the coolest people you can imagine – and the jewelry line they founded a few years back, Strüng, is just as cool: It's jewelry that's not only made of guitar parts, strings, you name it, but is based on favorite rock songs. It's great quality, stylish, and it's all affordable – and on top of it all, it's all stunningly original. Get great gifts for your rocker kids or pals at getstrung.com.

Smack It, Crack It We bet you didn't know that the unique candy of so many childhoods, Bonomo Turkish Taffy, made a comeback several years back – and the company is now headquartered in Great Neck. We can't think of anyone over the age of 45 who wouldn't enjoy the array of flavors of this hard taffy that you break up to enjoy – and we'd almost guarantee you'll find full-grown adults venturing outside to CRACK! their bars on the sidewalk.

Read Up On LI Long Island has a storied history – and you can learn it all by reading the amazing series of books on Long Island published by Arcadia. Find the histories of The Long Island Railroad, Babylon, Patchogue, Syosset, Bay Shore, East Meadow, Miller Place and Mount Sinai, and more towns than we can list here. Get a list of all titles at arcadiapublishing.com; they’re also at local stores, and at an array of online retailers as well. Call (844) 882-1751.

Photos Courtesy Repective Companies; Chattering Teeth, Candles via Pixabay

For Long Island, By Long Island:

Great Gift Ideas From Area Companies

Blow Up The Holidays What's a holiday party without festive balloons ringing in Christmas and the New Year? There's an array of great local purveyors, including Balloon Bouquets of Long Island (Bay Shore, (631) 665-233); Bloomin’ Balloons, serving all of Long Island (at (516) 7594370); Balloons 'N More The Total Event (in Massapequa in The Sunrise Mall, (516) 5010135); the balloon artist Bella Balloons (Smithtown, (631) 462-7500); and more places to pop in (literally).

The Wines Are Fine We firmly believe that Long Island wineries take a backseat to no one. Look for wines from Martha Clara Vineyards, Roanoke Vineyards, Sannino Bella Vita Vineyard, Bedell Cellars, Lenz Winery, Jamesport Vineyards, and many more quality brands.

Light One Up Holidays are the time for candles – and Long Beach's Long Island Candle Factory offers an array of natural soy wax candles and more; learn more at longislandcandlefactory. com. Other choices: Long Island Country Candle Company in Ronkonkoma (call at (631) 4713397), and a real area favorite in Tranquil Bliss Candle Craft by Diana Lauren; contact her in East Islip at (631) 278-4504.

A Basket Case Sandler's Gift Baskets has been a Long Islandbased business for decades. The store (530 Cherry Lane, Floral Park; (800) 753-7848) offers gift baskets featuring a variety of foods, and can provide a perfect basket for any occasion as well as for the holiday season. Log on to sandlers.com and find just the right basket for just the right person.

4 • Good Times Magazine - November 17 - December 14, 2020

Strum & Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum We remain shocked how many muscians fail to know that D'Addario, the manufacturer of guitar strings and accessories, is from Long Island, based in Farmingdale. We can't think of a musician who wouldn't enjoy a 10-pack of guitar or bass strings, sets of ProMark drum sticks, picks, cables, and the rest of the quality D'Addario music products. Learn more at (631) 439-3300.

BOUNTIFUL GOURMET: Sea Cliff Bagel Café

Culinary Institute Chef Dazzles

When was the last time that you had your bagel with cream cheese prepared by a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America? That's the case at the very appealing Sea Cliff Bagel Café, where Executive Chef and coowner Matt Blass prepares great home-cooked meals. Blass graduated from CIA, and has worked as a chef at major hotels and restaurants. Fourteen years ago, he decided to quit the

rat race, bought an old garage in Sea Cliff, and renovated it into this fine place to eat. This is not your usual bagel store. Blass makes everything from scratch; his bagels are large and fluffy, and the vast selection of food he offers is impressive, including flat bagels and bialys; home made crepes with strawberries; vanilla gelato and chocolate sauce, as well as one with sliced bananas and Nutella – all bargains as well. We wanted to try the impressive Buffalo blue burger served with caramelized mushrooms and onions, but were seduced by the steak hero, featuring lots of sliced steak, melted mozzarella, sauteed peppers, and onions. This big boy was only $8.99. Next time, we're going to try the BBQ pulled pork with bacon, cheddar cheese, sauteed onions and cole slaw. All sandwiches come with fries or potato salad.

By Rich Branciforte chip cookies are mouthwateringly good. A chocolate chip muffin was great, as was chocolate chip crumb cake. Those who grew up on the North Shore will remember Gebhard's Bakery. Blass was given the recipes for Gebhard's famous Crumb Cake and Butter Cake by a member of the Gebhard family years ago; he’s making them now, and they truly stand out. The family-owned Sea Cliff Bagel Café is a superstar worth a short ride to visit. As a matter of fact, after writing this article, I'm changing my lunch plans and heading over right after I finish this. There's plenty of room for takeout, or you can dine in. Everyone keeps a respectful distance, so important during the rise in area virus cases. Sea Cliff Bagel Café is located at 478 Glen Cove Avenue; you can order by calling (516) 671-0100.

Photos by Sandy Branciforte

Sea Cliff Bagel Café also has an impressive list of breakfast specials. We are going to have to try the Hungry Man: A bagel twist with three eggs, double bacon, double cheese, home fries, and a large coffee for $8.99. Breakfast specials are served all day. You might also want to try the Healthy Woman, egg whites, spinach, turkey and alpine Swiss packed into a whole wheat wrap. What really sets Sea Cliff Bagel Café apart, aside from its high quality food, is its great bakery section. Pastries are all $2.75, and the giant chocolate

Good Times Magazine – November 17 - December 14, 2020 • 5

Dining Deals

A Guide To Restaurants’ Best Specials

Blue Goose pRiMe RiB

Al+DeNTe CAfe

When dining out, there’s nothing better than personal recommendations. When Izzy from Izzy’s Promoting raved about The Blue Goose in Patchogue, we checked it out and she was spot on. The Goose is a local’s local, not in the sexy part of Patchogue, but more West near Blue Point. But it’s the type of place that neighborhood folk flock to, and with good reason. Thursday is Fried Chicken Night with Mashed Potatoes for only $16. Tuesday is Taco

Night and features many interesting offerings. Wednesdays is a burger and beer for only $12. Every other week is Prime Rib Week with a coffee rubbed 16 oz beauty for only $31. Chef Chris has gone out of his way to show his Asian chops. On the regular menu is Asian Ribs, Garlic, Buffalo and Asian Wings along with the usual suspects like burgers, sandwiches and much more. The Blue Goose is located at 411 W. Main Street, Patchogue and you can call 631-627-6677 for reservations.

fiNNeGANs puB

If we had to vote for one of our favorite restaurants, it would be Mama’s in Copiague. It’s a beautiful space with awesome pizza(try the Thai Chili chicken slice), and a menu where every item is near perfection. Monday night is Pasta Night with Specials only $16.95, and we’re talking HUGE portions. The meal includes pasta, salad, garlic knots(delicious), NY style Cheesecake and coffee or tea. Where can you find a deal like this? Some of the pastas include

by Rich Branciforte

linguine puttanesca...linguine with fresh tomatoes, garlic and capers, olives and anchovies, Spaghetti Carbonara(our favorite), a lush pasta with bacon, onions in a creamy alfredo sauce, and Penne Michelangelo...broccoli florets, crumbled sausage, fresh basil, in pink sherry wine cream sauce. Thursday is Chicken Day with nearly 30 chicken dishes going for $18.95, which includes pasta, house salad, fresh garlic knots, cheesecake and tea or coffee. The menu is extensive but you might want to try the Chicken Gorgonzola...sauteed chicken with asparagus, sun dried tomato, in a gorgonzola cream. Our own favorite is the traditional Chicken Parm. Be warned, portions are large and delicious. By the way, the freshly made garlic knots are

LOCAL DELIVERY AVAILABLE

Best Diner and Best Coffee Shop

While others cut back on their sections and entertainment coverage, Good Times Magazine, Long Island’s Arts & Entertainment Bible for the past 51 years, has added an Expanded Dining & Restaurant Section

THE BOUNTIFUL GOURMET INCLUDES: • Food, Dining Deals & Drink Specials • Reviews of Fun Restaurants • Hot Tips on Food Finds • LI Bites - Bargain Places To Dine

FEATURES ON THEMES LIKE..

$GUV 2) 7+( 0QTVJ 5JQTG 9+00'4

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35(6(17(' %< %/$1. 6/$7( 0(',$

6 • Good Times Magazine - November 17 - December 14, 2020

• Best Pasta Places * Guide To Chinese Buffets • Long Island’s Best Burgers • Long Island’s Best Wings • Long Islands Best Happy Hours • Long Islands Best BBQ • Microbrew & Spirits Column

DIGITAL EDITION AT ISSUU.COM/GOODTIMESMAG FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION CALL RICH AT

516-280-2100

Dining Deals spectacular. Mama’s is located at 922 Montauk Highway, Copiague. For reservations call 631-8429889. Loaded At Finnegan’s Pub in Williston Park has an all new menu with many great specials. Martini Mondays has $5 Martinis and $1 wings. Taco Tuesdays has 3/$10 Twisted Tacos, $5 Infused Tequila, Margaritas or Coronas. Ladies nite Tuesday has drinks ½ price. Saturday Brunch Special Menu from 12 pm-3 pm features any entree and bottomless Mimosas, Bloody Marys or Screwdrivers, all for only $30. You might also want to check out the Derby Burger with crispy bacon, bbq sauce, cheddar and red onion for only $14.95. Finnegan’s is located at 607 Willis Avenue, Williston Park and you can reach them

A Guide To Restaurants’ Best Specials

GeMeLLis NoRth

MAMAs PARM

at 516-407-0068. Cafe Al Dente in Oyster Bay has a variety of deals. On Sundays, kids eat free with the purchase of each adult dinner. They have daily lunch specials for only $8.99 and have 10 family combo meals. One feeds a family of four for $29.95, and one feeds a family of six-eight for $49.95. They are located at 62 South Street, Oyster Bay and you can get more info by calling 516-9222999. Gemelli Market North in Glen Head has an amazing

assortment of meats, breads, cheese, pastas, pastries and food products that would satisfy any cook. They also have an excellent prepared food section where you can get hot meals including burgers, sandwiches, paninis and much more. Tuesday is Chicken Madness with your choice of chicken cutlet parmigiana, chicken francaise, chicken spinach fontina Sorrentino, a tossed green salad, choice of mashed or roasted potatoes, and a chocolate brownie or chocolate chip cookie. It’s only

by Rich Branciforte

$35.99 and feeds two people. Wednesday is Carnivore Night. You have your choice of grilled pork chop in red wine sauce, grilled 8 oz. Shell steak in red wine sauce, grilled 8 oz. Ribeye in a red wine sauce, sauteed spinach, mashed potatoes and a dessert item. This special is only $49.99 for two people. Gemelli’s North is located at 716 Glen Cove Avenue in Glen Head. You can phone them at 516-200-9746. This is just a sampling of the great deals at Long Island’s dining spots. You don’t have to be trapped at home. All these establishments practice safe serving and special cleaning. If you have a dining deal you would like to have us showcase at no charge, email us at gtmag@optonline.net and put “Dining Deals” in subject.

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR COMPLETE MENU

Appetizers Full Tray Half Tray Baked Clams Oreganata .............................................................. $60..............$105 Fried Calamari .............................................................................. $50...............$95 Mozzarella Sticks.......................................................................... $60..............$105 Baby Artichoke Picatta (42 pieces) ............................................. $60 Chicken Tenders ........................................................................... $50...............$95 Chicken Wings Buffalo, BBQ (or) Thai...................................... $55..............$105 Vegetable Stuffed Mushrooms ................................................... $40...............$70 Shrimp Cocktail Platter (Jumbo) ................................................ $85..............$165 Fried Shrimp ................................................................................. $60..............$105 Zuppa Di Cozze ........................................................................... $50...............$90 Calamari Arrabiati ....................................................................... $55..............$105 Mozzarella Caprese (Platter) ..................................................... $45...............$85 Crab Cakes (24) ............................................................................ $95 Crabmeat Stuffed Mushrooms ................................................... $50...............$95 Antipasto Classico (Platter) ........................................................ $50...............$95 Genoa, salami, prosciutto, pepperoni, provolone, artichoke hearts, homemade mozzarella, roasted peppers, olives

The Finest Quality & Freshest Ingrediants

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29 Hillside Ave., Williston Park • 516-248-8200

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Meat Lasagna ................................................................................ $65 Vegetable Lasagna ........................................................................ $65

Pasta

Shrimp Scampi ............................................................................. $60..............$115 Shrimp Marinara Or Fra Diavolo .............................................. $60..............$115 Calamari Or Mussels Marinara Or Fra Diavolo ...................... $60..............$105 Scungilli Marinara Or Fra Diavolo ............................................ $60..............$105 Linguine Con Vongole Red or White ........................................ $60..............$105 Linguine Di Mare Red or White................................................. $75..............$125

Entrees

Spuntino Dollars

20 off

Baked Pasta

any purchase of $100 or more

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Curbside Pickup Contact-Free Delivery Upon Request

Chicken Sorrentino ...................................................................... $65..............$115 Grilled Chicken Toscano ............................................................ $65..............$115 Chicken Marsala .......................................................................... $60..............$105 Chicken Parmigiana .................................................................... $60..............$105 Chicken Francese ......................................................................... $60..............$105 Skirt Steak Vesuvio ...................................................................... $85..............$165 Veal Sorrentino ............................................................................ $95..............$170 Salmone Fiorentina | Walnut encrusted | Piccata | Blackened . $90..............$170 Filet of Sole Francese or Oreganata style ...................................... $90..............$170 Stuﬀed Filet of Sole (Crabmeat) ................................................$110 .............$215 Shrimp Parmigiana ..................................................................... $95..............$170 Shrimp Francese ........................................................................... $95 .............$170 Shrimp Oreganata ....................................................................... $95..............$170 Shrimp Spuntino ......................................................................... $95..............$170 Eggplant Rollatini ....................................................................... $55...............$95

Good Times Magazine - November 17 - December 14, 2020 • 7

CLUBBING PROFILES: “Izzy” Verderosa Welcome to the wonderful world of Bettyann Izzy Isabella Verderosa, better known to the world as “Izzy.” She is one of the Long Island music scene's unsung heroes – a virtual onewoman whirlwind who hosts the Facebook group Izzy's Promoting Local Talent, which has mushroomed into one of the most followed and used local music Facebook pages. This non-paid gig is a long way from her roots as a customer service rep for a Cadillac dealership. Izzy, a hairdresser by trade, has made hundreds of friends while helping to promote Long Island bands. Her group is hyper-local, and her followers are passionate about both Izzy and her love of music. Izzy grew up in a family that loved music. Her father played guitar and harmonica, and she took guitar lessons when she was young. She remembers relatives coming over to her house to play family music. Her love of music covers various genres, including classic rock, Christian music, and new wave. She remembers fondly frequenting places like Penrod's, Zachary's, Malibu, and Metro 700, as she developed a love for the local music scene.

Photo provided by Izzy Verderosa

Izzy With Lisa Polizzi

8 • Good Times Magazine • November 17 - December 14, 2020

By Rich Branciforte She recalls seeing Madonna at Malibu before she was big, and some of her favorite first concerts were Depeche Mode at Giants Stadium and Prince at The Nassau Coliseum. She started Izzy's, named by her good friend Thomas Clark, as a way of helping bands promote themselves at no cost. There are 2,200 members of the group, and it's still growing. Izzy often goes out, even now, to various clubs and restaurants to see live music. If a club is doing it carefully, she wants to help promote them: “Push through the fear,” said Izzy. Her group is indeed a group effort, with many postings of upcoming shows or performance videos. Anyone can post on the Facebook group page, as long as it's respectful and non-political. She loves the great feedback from her friends and fans, and takes her job personally. Izzy is a great example of someone who is making a difference for the love of it. Go to the Izzy's Promoting Local Talent group on Facebook and join up. You'll have a great time when you do.

LI BITES

Quick, Fun Eating Througout The Area

Roll With Me, Baby: “Rolled” ice cream has been all the rage these past few years – and the new Sweet Charlie’s location in New Hyde Park (3336 Hillside Avenue, Suite 2) has been just the tonic for the eat-at-home blues so many of us have been pretty much forced into this year. Thankfully, Sweet Charlie’s offers up its flavorful new-age ice cream in so many unique ways that you may want to come back again and again to order something you’ve Staff Photo never had before every time you visit. The company claims its ice cream is made the old fashioned way; its website states that “each ice cream or frozen yogurt is made to order on a super cold surface that is below 20 degrees. Because the surface is so cold, very small ice crystals are formed quickly. These ice crystals create the freshest, healthiest, most delicious end product. Our unique process eliminates the need to add stabilizers, emulsifiers, and preservatives like the other guys.” The end result is a new way of making Thai-inspired ice cream rolls, and the preparers offer a lot of showmanship and pizazz while making your icy treat just the way you want it. We do agree: Sweet Charlie’s ice cream offers an array of unique flavors that simply taste fresher than fast food offerings and most other chains. Get the full scoop (sorry, we just had to) by calling (516) 493-9697. Note: At last check, business hours were Monday through Friday 2:30 pm to 10:30 pm; Saturday from 1:30 pm to 11:30 pm; and Sunday 1:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Have A Boston Holiday: Boston Market (area locations in West Hempstead, Bethpage, Commack, Hicksville, Lindenhurst, New Hyde Park, Shirley, Westbury, Deer Park, Freeport, Lake Ronkonkoma, Valley Stream, East Islip, and Fresh Meadows) is offering holiday season complete meal solutions starting at just $10.99 per person. "With all that has happened this past year, connecting with friends and loved ones over a delicious meal to celebrate the things that matter most has never been more important," said Boston Market President Boston Market/PR Newswire Randy Miller. "That's why we're serving up decadent, hassle-free meals in a variety of ways that allow families to focus less on cooking and more on quality time together, virtually or in person. Whether guests want to do most, some or none of the cooking, Boston Market has solutions to help every host eliminate the stress and mess associated with this beast of a holiday feast. No matter if you need a last minute side to round out your meal or a complete dinner shipped to your door, our team has got you covered this holiday season.” Learn more about Boston Market: (866) 977-9090.

‘Macca” Is Back: Classic Album To Be Reissued Photo: Mary McCartney

It has been 50 years since Paul McCartney released his self-titled first solo album, an iconic moment in rock history. Featuring the former Beatle playing every instrument and writing and recording every song, McCartney’s effortless charms have only grown in stature and influence over time. The chart-topping album would signify not only a creative rebirth for “Macca,” but also as a template for generations of indie and lo-fi musicians seeking to emulate its warm homespun vibe – as well as timeless tunes including “Maybe I’m Amazed,” “Every Night,” “The Lovely Linda,” and other selections that have ushered the disc into classic status that few artists achieve. McCartney III will be released December 11 on Capitol Records across digital platforms, on CD, and on LP manufactured by Third Man Pressing. Vinyl configurations will range from standard 180g to a Third Man Edition of 3,000 hand-numbered red vinyl copies; a “333” Edition sold only via Third Man Records online store and limited to 333 copies on yellow-with-black-dots vinyl created using 33 recycled vinyl copies of McCartney and McCartney II; a U.S. indie retail exclusive pressing of 4,000 hand-numbered white vinyl LPs; and more.

Good Times Magazine • November 17 - December 14, 2020 • 9

SPORTS BEAT

Wi W it th h L Ll lo oy yd d C Ca ar rr ro ol ll l

Former New York Mets third baseman David Wright is the first to admit that when one thinks of “The Captain” in New York baseball circles, it is Hall of Fame New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter that comes to mind. Nonetheless, Wright was a great player and served as the Mets team captain from 2013 through the end of his career in 2018. That is why he shouldn’t feel guilty titling his autobiography The Captain (Dutton). Anthony DiComo served as Wright’s coauthor, and is well-known to Mets fans as the team’s MLB.com beat reporter. DiComo admitted that Wright was surprised to get the go-ahead from Penguin Random House, which owns Dutton Books, because there is no dirt to be dished here. That’s not to say Wright doesn’t provide any behind-thescenes stuff: He praises utility player Joe McEwing for being a mentor when he came up to the Mets at the end of the 2004 season, and lauds outfielder Cliff Floyd for buying Wright suits and instructing the young star on how to conduct himself as a big leaguer, especially on the road. The closest thing to qualify as controversy during Wright’s tenure as captain was during eating lunch in the clubhouse while an intra-squad game was in progress. Wright spring training 2015, when he chastised saw these games as a valuable way for a then-rookie pitcher Noah Syndergaard for

BOWLING

From PBA Legends To Local Lanes

Gary Goes, With Honors: Gary Mage, who has served as PBA West Regional Director since 2004 and the Northwest Regional Director since he founded it in 1979, has announced his retirement from the PBA after more than 40 years of service. Mage’s Josh Blanchard & Gary Mage

rookie to learn, and still has no regrets about his intent – but Wright was mortified to learn hat his lecture to Syndergaard was seen by some media members. Wrist apologized to Syndergaard for not having been more aware about their lack of privacy, which led to needless embarrassment for both of them. A key reason why Wright is beloved by Mets fans was his desire to spend his entire career in Flushing. He acknowledges he was worried he would be traded after his infield neighbor, shortstop Jose Reyes, left in 2011 as a free agent without receiving a contract offer. Wright eventually got the deal he was looking for in 2013. The last few chapters of The Captain are not easy reading, as Wright and DiComo provide painstaking details of the many back and neck surgeries and post-surgical rehab work he had to endure to try to get back on the field from 2016 through 2018. It was in late summer of 2018 when even ever-optimistic Mets captain realized he couldn’t overcome these maladies. The Captain is must read for both Mets fans and future orthopedic surgeons. It's easy to get the vibe that former New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, best remembered for fumbling a football when he

PBA, LLC

retirement comes at the end of the 2020 season after a lifelong career in the bowling industry – and just shy of a milestone 75th birthday, which he’ll celebrate in January. “I’ve been a bowling center owner, pro shop operator and touring player, so I brought a lot of experience to different areas of the sport into this position,” said Mage. “You have people you’ve built relationships with over a span of many years. It’s hard to let go, but it’s time.” In 2004, Mage became Western Region Manager, taking the reins from Mike Friedrichs, and assumed management of the new Northwest Region when it separated

from the Western Region in that same year. Mage has since managed both regions with assistance from his wife Toni. Mage will be succeeded by Josh Blanchard, a three-time PBA Tour champion. “After many years serving the PBA as the Northwest and West Regional Director I am very happy that the PBA has chosen Josh Blanchard to take my place, said Mage. “It’s my belief that Josh has the talent to move the regional program forward and build a program that will be successful for many years to come.” Blanchard, who recently announced his own retirement from full-time PBA Tour competition, took over regional tournament operations on November 9. “It is a privilege to follow in the footsteps of Gary Mage,” said Blanchard. He isn’t easily replaced, but I hope to continue many of the long-standing events he developed over his tenure.” As the new tournament director, Blanchard will be responsible for PBA regional operations in the West and Northwest including developing the schedule of tournaments, pro-ams, and overseeing onsite tournament logistics. “I look forward to working for the bowlers and providing the best events possible for the PBA and its members in the West and Northwest Regions,” said Blanchard.

10 • Good Times Magazine • November 17 - December 14, 2020

Bowl With “Flare”: Motiv Bowling – maker of cutting edge new bowling balls – is at is again with the release of the new Forge Flare. This new release brings the heat with solid reactive technology. Designed for use on medium-heavy oil conditions, it provides traction in the front of the lane without sacrificing down lane reaction. The ability of the Forge Flare to shape so easily in higher oil Motiv Bowling volumes is possible because of new Coercion™ MXC (MaXimum Continuation) Solid Reactive cover stock; the company reported that it is the strongest solid shell ever created by Motiv. Most impressive is the continuation from such a strong cover. The Forge Flare partners this new cover technology with the symmetrical Detonator core, which is utilized to provide a low RG and high differential. The result is a fast revving, strong, and continuous bowling ball with massive track flare potential. Learn all about it at motivbowling.com.

SPORTS BEAT

ran into the keister of his own teammate, offensive lineman Brandon Moore, during a game from hell against the New England Patriots in 2012, had to have felt a sense of deja vu last month. New York Giants QB Daniel Jones did something nearly as embarrassing when he was able to gallop away from Philadelphia Eagles defenders on a long run – only to lose his balance and stumble six yards from the end zone. The good news for Jones was the Giants were able to score a touchdown a few plays later. The bad news is they coughed up an 11point lead with roughly five minutes left in the game as the G-men lost to the Eagles in Philadelphia, 22-21. Jets fans are great at gallows humor. A couple of weeks ago they were leading the Buffalo bills 10-3 in the second quarter when a fan tweeted: “This might be the time to discuss a contract extension for (Jets head coach) Adam Gase.” The next day, a caller to WFAN asked their afternoon drive-time hosts, (the now-retired) Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts: “Could we shift gears from discussing football and talk about the Jets?” Veteran NHL reporter Ashley Scharge believes forward Alexis Lafreniere (selected by The New York Rangers, who had the first

Photo: © Sean McAloney/Mca Photos

pick in the 2020 NHL Draft) will be a franchise-altering superstar on the level of Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, and Alex Ovechkin.

Scharge is also the play-byplay voice of The Long Beach Sharks (left), Long Island’s junior hockey team, whose players are sure to earn college scholarships and some may have professional careers. The Sharks hope to return to The Long Beach Arena on January 16. With COVID-19 wreaking havoc on amateur athletics, high school athletes have fewer opportunities to showcase their talents for college recruiters. A new free app, PlayerPager, allows high school athletes to upload workouts and send them quickly to NCAA coaches and recruiters. Former NBA superstar (and, of course, former New York Knicks all-star forward) Amar’e Stoudemire was a surprise pick to join the staff of new Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash, a startling choice himself. As players, they were teammates in the 1990s with The Phoenix Suns.

Good Times Magazine • November 17 - December 14, 2020 • 11

Calendar

Your Guide To Local Events We were planning to run our regular Music Calendar this issue, but due to State regulations that clubs cannot mention names of performers, we are going on the side of caution and holding off for now. Instead, we have compiled an interesting mashup of radio and television shows, live streams and events that you may find of interest.

mystic noir

robin eve

November 18 7pm Steve Vai live stream FREE on Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Facebook and Youtube Channels November 19 8pm The Folk Music Society of Huntington presents Deeper Than Skin Zoom live stream ID # 87615098537 November 19 8pm The Art and Films of David Lynch, hosted by Greg Blank. Cinema Arts Centre $10 public, $7 members info@ cinemaartscentre.org November 20 Hank William Jr. live stream from The Cowboy Bar. General admission $20, $25 day of show. Tickets sessionslive.com/ hankjr/tickets November 21 Toto Dogz of Oz Tour live stream. Ticket on sale at link.dice.fm/toto November 27 America Live At the London Palladium Stream is $20. Info www.musicglue.com/america December 3-6 Elvis: That's The Way It Is at cinemas. Tickets on sale at elvisthatsthewayitis.com December 5 8pm Darlene Love For The Holidays streaming from Sony Hall Tickets $35 Portion goes to Patchogue Theatre

mary lamont

Weekly Radio and Television Shows Every Sunday noon-1pm Down Home Country, vintage country music with Mary Lamont on WUSB Stony Brook 90.1 FM or archived at MaryLamont.com Every Sunday 8pm Good Talk with Robin Eve and Donnie Vapor, live on facebook.com/goodtalktvshow Thursdays 12pm Mystic Noir television show with Ben Metzger on Optimum Channel 20 Thursdays 9pm..Roy Wilson and the Buzzards online rockabilly and honky tonk live stream. Www.facebook.com/roywilsonandthebuzzards Wednesdays 8pm Benoir Live streaming at facebook.com/benoirofficial Fridays Midnight. Wes Houston Presents t.v. Show on Optimum Channel 20. Interviews with Blue Ruin 11/20, Jeff Curtis 11/27 or watch online at 4VS.org/watchnow

If you have an event you would like featured from December 15 through January, email it to gtmag@ optonline.net and put “Music Calendar” in subject.

SONGWRITER VOL 1 NOW OUT

CD Visit Joe Picket on NEW Bookings dave@marketingmastersny.com

12 • Good Times Magazine - November 17 - December 14, 2020

america live

CLUB PROFILES: Kevin Sheehan

No one has to tell you that the relationship between club owners and musicians is often like the Hatfields and McCoys. But if you had to ask musicians to name a few club owners they enjoy working with, the name Kevin Sheehan would be at the top of the list. Kevin is a serial club owner, having worked at or owned dozens of clubs. His dad owned a catering company and Kevin spent many hours

By Rich Branciforte

bartending and shucking clams. He worked as a bartender at a club in Flushing, and liked it so much, he bought it and re-named it Sheehans in 1996. He's also owned Turtle Bay and the Foggy Goggle in the Hamptons. Looking to extend his mini-empire, he bought a run down bar in Bellmore along with a partner, and christened it as K.J. Farrell's. Today, many years later, KJ has outlasted dozens of bars and has soundly established itself as a “musician's club.” Until the pandemic, Farrell's didn't depend much on food or sports. It thrived by showcasing music 6-7 nights a week. Their open mic nights were legendary, a place where musician's musicians performed. K.J.'s featured all kinds of music, with a heavy emphasis on classic rock. Successful bands could be sure of a regular place in their rotation, and they are one of the few clubs that books up to six months in advance. Why has K.J.s thrived when others have struggled? Anyone who knows Kevin knows he's a workaholic. He's on site at his different clubs, and is very hands on, handling most of the booking. He attracts top staff because they respect his knowledge of the business. Many who have worked with Kevin have gone on to open their own clubs. Kevin attributes his success to the fact that musicians are treated with respect, the club has

a great sound system, and his customers are loyal as can be. The last two years have been full tilt boogie for Kevin and his team. He bought Laura D's in Bethpage and turned it into The Local. He took over a defunct club in Amityville and it became the Warehouse, a place that was rivaling K.J.'s in popularity. And his latest venture was taking the run down Front Street Pub in Massapequa Park and turning it into the sparkling Prohibition. Bad timing though, just 2 months after opening all the clubs were forced to close down when the pandemic hit big in March. It hasn't been easy for Kevin and all club and restaurant owners, but because his clubs were so heavily dependent on live music, they got hit harder than many others. After much struggling, the foursome re-opened re-invented. Because New York State directive says music has to be “incidental”, it's hard to promote individual bands and shows. Kevin has introduced food at all his locations. The Warehouse, for instance, now has a Wednesday Jam nite, and a Sunday Jazz Brunch. Bands like Mystic, Cover Girl and Last Exit are among the many that have performed recently at one of the Sheehan properties. As we all try to make some sense out of this mess we're in, my money would be on Kevin Sheehan to pull through with aces.

Good Times Magazine • November 17 - December 14, 2020 • 13

JAZZ & BLUES Johnny’s On The Spot: Texas Hill Country Blues and Roots music veteran Johnny Nicholas is the focus of a new album, Mistaken Identity, via the Louisiana-based Valcour Records label. The digital version is available now, with CD and vinyl formats recently released as well. The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by Valcour Records co-founder Joel Savoy. A listen to Mistaken Identity reveals a plethora of roots music sounds showcasing Nicholas’ varied influences, ranging from Blues (“She Stole My Mojo”) and Audrey Billups; courtesy Marc Pucci Media Tex-Mex (“Guadalupe’s Prayer”) to Honky-Tonk Country (“Spark to a Flame”) and Rockabilly (“Tight Pants”). The album’s title track is a paean to New Orleans Johnny Rhythm & Nicholas Blues, awash in second-line rhythms and Crescent City images. “It all started out with the blues for me,” said Nicholas. “Once that bug bit me, I was infected with a love of what is now called Americana or roots music. No matter what you call it, it all began with the blues and all of its musical manifestations. This album is a homecoming, bringing me back to the place where I cut my teeth and grew up musically on the prairies and bayou country of Southwest Louisiana in the ’70s. Link Davis Jr. (son of the legendary “Pappa” Link Davis) brought me to Basile and introduced me to Nathan Abshire, who lived behind The Bear Cat Lounge on Highway 190 (chronicled in the aptly titled track, “Highway 190”). Nicholas recanted some glorious times: “Back then, the Basile routine went something like this: Play music every night with Link, Nathan, and oftentimes Dewey Balfa (who worked at a furniture store nearby); pull some mattresses down off the wall in a room behind the bar and sleep; get up and walk back to Mr. Nathan and his wife Ola’s tiny house behind the club to drink coffee and visit; return to the Bearcat where Jeanette Comeaux would be fixing rice and ‘something’: post up with Nathan out front and start drinking and playing music informally with anyone who stopped by; and then get ready for the evening’s show to start. Next day, same as the last, and on and on — honky tonk heaven!” Although Nicholas’ career as an artist has been documented, his connection with South Louisiana music and culture and the influence it had on his musical career is not as well known. After finishing school, he hit the road hitch-hiking and hopping freight trains in search of the artists and music he loved. His pilgrimages led him to experiences and relationships with stars of the Blues, Western Swing, honky tonk music, and the melting pot for it all: South Louisiana and Southeast Texas. For years, Nicholas led the vanguard in the burgeoning blues scene that developed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and over the years was a mainstay at The Ann Arbor Blues Festival. Fast forward past his tenure as a front man with Western Swing icons Asleep At The Wheel, eight solo albums, raising a family, touring the world as a solo act and with an array of blues stars, working at an old gas station and roadhouse in the Texas Hill Country, and Nicholas wound up full circle – back in Eunice, Louisiana, bringing his Texas band to Joel Savoy’s tiny but magical little studio outside of Eunice ... just miles down the road from where it all began in Basile. More From Valcour: The Louisiana-based Valcour Records offers an array of roots artists, and every album offers earthy sounds. The roster inclues the Louisiana duo Fais Do Do; the famed Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys; Sabra & The Get Rights; Cat Head Biscuit Boys; and others not only from Louisiana but from across America. Learn all about it: valcourrecords.com

14 • Good Times Magazine • November 17 - December 14, 2020

Did Someone Say “Wabbits? Happy 80th Birthday, Bugs While most octogenarians are settling down to a quiet life with little physical activity, an old friend of ours is celebrating his 80th birthday in style. We're talking about everyone's favorite “wabbit,” Bugs Bunny. The wisecracking cartoon star holds a special place in my heart, as his was the first comic I ever received, a gift from my grandmother. Bugs has thrilled us for years with his adventures taunting that great rabbit Rich Branicorte hunter, Elmer Fudd. The Warners Brothers film star has enchanted kids and adults for eight decades with his zany antics. Who can forget the many confrontations he's had with Yosemite Sam, his formidable adversary? Bugs Bunny cartoons are slapstick at its best, and Warner Brothers Home Entertainment is releasing a three-disc Blu-ray set in December which will provide endless hours of enjoyment for the whole family. Don't forget the huge treasure trove of Bugs cartoons available on YouTube, and now on HBO Max has added many remastered Looney Tunes as well. With Bugs' 80th, there truly will be a “rabbit in every pot.” – Rich Branciforte

THANK YOU TO THE MANY CORPORATIONS, BUSINESSES, FOUNDATIONS, MUNICIPALITIES, NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND TO INDIVIDUAL DONORS JUST LIKE YOU!

Your generous support of our COVID-19 Response Fund has enabled us to meet the increased needs for emergency food assistance for 194,945 of our neighbors in need including, 128,041 people that turned to Long Island Cares, Inc.-The Harry Chapin Food Bank for the very ﬁrst time. Your support has also enabled us to deliver food to the homes of 2,233 seniors, provide a grab-n-go breakfast for 5,423 children, distribute 12,856,922 pounds of food in just the past seven months, deliver food and PPE to 3,114 veterans, and provide 10,581,596 meals for our neighbors due to COVID-19. Long Island Cares, Inc.-The Harry Chapin Food Bank and our 374 member agencies are working together to meet a 73.1% increase in our distribution of emergency food due to COVID-19.

WE’LL BE HERE FOR THE LONG TERM, AND HOPEFULLY SO WILL YOU.

TO DONATE WWW.LICARES.ORG | 631.582.3663

Dave Cassaro President

Paule Pachter Sandy Chapin CEO Chairperson

Good Times Magazine - November 17 - December 14, 2020 • 15

MEDIA

Are You The Next ‘SNL’ Star? The Second City Wants You: Legendary comedy institution The Second City today announced the creation of a new scholarship for up-andcoming diverse comedic talent in partnership with icon- Cecily Strong ic television series “Saturday Night Live.” The SNL Scholarship will grant students at varying levels of experience the opportunity to further their professional development at The Second City, the renowned home of improvisation-based creative arts. Comedians with diverse life experiences, including varying cultural and economic backgrounds, orientation, ethnicities, and CAA/File Photo points of view are encouraged to apply for the inaugural program. In addition to receiving Second City performance and writing training, recipients will be connected directly with SNL talent executives and have direct entry to submit an audition tape or sketch packet to SNL for the landmark show. Tim Kazurinsky Long before SNL made history by becoming the most Emmy Award-winning show in TV history, Second City alumni Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, and Gilda Radner were members of the very first group of "Not Ready for Primetime Players" in 1975. Over the course of the show's historic run, several more Second City-bred performers and writers have found a Tim home at SNL, including Peter Kazurinsky Aykroyd, Vanessa Bayer, Jim Belushi, Aidy Bryant, Brian Doyle-Murray, Rachel Dratch, Robin Duke, Chris Farley, Tina Fey, Mary Gross, Bill Hader, Tim Kazurinsky, David Koechner, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tim Meadows, Jerry Minor, Alex Moffat, Bill Murray, Mike Myers, Mike O'Brien, Bob Odenkirk, Amy Bill Poehler, Chris Redd, Tim Hader Robinson, Tony Rosato, Horatio Sanz, Martin Short, Cecily Strong, Jason Sudeikis, and Nancy Walls. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is Tuesday, November 24, by 5 p.m. CST. For more about The Second City, visit secondcity.com. Log on for the application: secondcitytrainingcenter. By Greg2600, wufoo.com/forms/ Creative Commons Lic. w1xyge4c1dm75t2/. 16 • Good Times Magazine • November 17 - December 14, 2020

STREAM TEAM

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Get A Virtual Vibe: Going Michael out to live music and Franti comedy shows might be a rarity, but there is still an array of live performances available at the click of a mouse: Join Michael Franti and Soulrockers from anywhere around the world in a livestream concert on Saturday, November 21 at 9 pm, live from Ubud, Bali. Get your groove on via Photo: ManHeadMerch michaelfranti.manheadmerch.com. Franti’s new album, Work Hard & Be Nice, is available now wherever music is purveyed … The Jayhawks will headline a live stream concert, dubbed “The Jayhawks: Sound Of Lies,” on Sunday, November 29 at 9 pm. Get your tickets at boxoffice.mandolin.com. The Jayhawks released their latest album, XOXO, in the middle of lockdown; the band is partnering with the Mandolin website Photo: Mandolin.com for a series of virtual live The Jayhawks shows from Minneapolis’ Slamhammer Studios. These shows will be broadcast live with a full stage setup on Mandolin’s streaming platform. There are multiple ticket options: Fans can choose from basic access; a package that also includes a Camp Jayhawk t-shirt (shirts will ship approximately one week after the show); or a VIP ticket that offers virtual access to a soundcheck session that will feature a rotating Zoom video wall of VIP ticket holders projected behind the stage, and an option to submit questions to the band ... Also through Mandolin: Shawn Colvin returns with a holiday-themed live streaming performance on Thursday, December Jewel 17 at 8 pm ... Jewel made seasonal splashes with holiday concerts in Long Island the past two years – but now, she’ll bring a different kind of show to her fans virtually; her next streaming concert is Friday, November 20. It’s the “Pieces Of You 25th Anniversary Live Stream,” featuring her groundbreaking hit album performed in order, in its entirety. Get tickets and learn more via shop.jeweljk.com. File photo

Ava Della Pietra: Young Setauket Star Scores A Major Holiday Smash

In slightly longer than a week, 14-year-old Broadway alumna and Setauket native Ava Della Pietra’s new single, “Christmas Tonight,” was streamed more than 32,000 times. No less than the legendary Tiger Beat Magazine named it one of the “Best Holiday Songs of 2019,” alongside Alessia Cara, The Jonas Brothers, and Liam Payne. Written by the young star with the help of producing partner Will Hicks (Ed Sheeran), “Christmas Tonight” is Ava’s song about the magic of the holiday season; a heartfelt tribute that goes beyond presents and Santa on Christmas – a fresh snow, shimmering lights, and family and friends coming together to share in the special day. Della Pietra is gearing up for the release of her debut EP, and was been touring to support it in the months before the pandemic; she has performed at My Father’s Place in Roslyn and at New York City’s Rockwood Music Hall. More information: avadellapietra.com.

Shorts Bits On Superstars

We survived the Disco years, but can we survive the pandemic? Genre legend Gloria Gaynor has released an “I Will Survive” facemask, available exclusively at represent.com/ gloriagaynor. We’re seeing them everywhere; they’re sure to make a great gift idea.

We colonists have our Rupert & Frog Teddy Bear, but our brothers The Song PR on the other side of the big pond are celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Rupert The Bear. Beloved by children throughout the Isles, and the subject of the famous Oz Obscenity Trial at the old Bailey in 1971, Rupert is being honored by none other than Paul McCartney. The remastered version of We All Stand Together – Paul McCartney and the Frog Chorus – was released on limited edition specially shaped 7” picture disc on November 6th 2020 – via PMC.lnk.to/1LPWeAllStandTogetherPR. Fully restored Rupert and The Frog Song animated film also premiered on YouTube on November 6th. Paul McCartney: https://PaulMcCartney.lnk.to/RupertAndTheFrogSongPR.

Good Times Magazine • November 17 - December 14, 2020 • 17

Jimmy Webb

LI Music Hall Of Famer Keeps Moving Forward Singer and songwriter Jimmy Webb – one of the most recent inductees in The Long Island Music Hall Of Fame – has a vast catalog of his own songs to draw from whenever he performs; his catalog boasts contemporary classics such as "By The Time I Get To Phoenix," "MacArthur Park," "Wichita Lineman.," "Up, Up and Away," "Still Within the Sound of My Voice," "Galveston," "Highwayman," "The Worst That Could Happen," "Didn't We," and more. Last year, Webb released a solo album, SlipCover, with a unique twist: Ten solo piano instrumental interpretations of songs by other writers such as Mick Jagger and Keith Richards ("Moonlight Mile"), Paul McCartney ("The Long And Winding Road"), Brian Wilson ("God Only Knows"), Paul Simon ("Old Friends") ,and Joni Mitchell ("A Case Of You"). The suggestion for such an unconventional recording was made after friend Randy Newman heard Webb's extraordinary piano performance at his house. Webb performed 30 to 50 live shows a year in North America and abroad, and continues to write new songs in a range of genres. Before the pandemic, he continued to play and sing in concert, with both “An Evening With Jimmy Webb” and a show with videos that spotlight “The Glen Campbell Years.” For more information: jimmywebb.com.

18 • Good Times Magazine - November 17 - December 14, 2020

GEAR HEADS

Photos: Rock To The Future courtesy D’Addario Foundation via PR Newswire

• Robust instrument D'Addario Does Good: instruction programming for For the third year in a row, The D’Addario Foundation: females, including Girls Rock! The D'Addario Foundation Doing Good Works Rhode Island. and Guitar Center worked For America’s Youth • Continuing education together to raise money on scholarships for females International Women's Day including The Musicians in support of more girls in Institute's Women in Guitar music. On March 8, Scholarship and The 50 percent of the D'Addario Foundation proceeds from all of the College Scholarship Fund; Farmingdale-based six of the 10 of the 2019 D'Addario products sold at recipients are female Guitar Center or guitar• The D'Addario center.com were scheduled Foundation's direct-service ot be donated to The strings program which D'Addario Foundation's Music Education For Girls provides free instruments Initiative. and instruction to youth Rock To in the local community, In 2019, more than The Future where 89 percent of $45,000 was donated to The D'Addario Foundation's Music Education for Girls Initiative, students are female. which provides young women with the resources and encourage"The D'Addario Women in Guitar Scholarship is a life changer, ment they need to study music, fostering both their personal and because it shows a young female guitarist what's possible," said professional growth. This support not only serves to motivate girls to Beth Marlis, Vice President of Musicians Institute. "The scholarship continue playing, but also to nurture them along in their educational celebrates the dedication, talent, and a job well done, and blows the journey. doors off anything or anybody that says 'no, you can't', and instead says 'keep on going' with your music." The D'Addario Foundation's Music Education for Girls Initiative Learn more at daddariofoundation.org. helps fund:

Good Times Magazine • November 17 - December 14, 2020 • 19

Photo provided by Rick Eberle Agency

MUSICIANS WANTED DRUMMER WANTED for classic rock quartet. 50+. (631) 462-5987 (1298) SINGER/SONGWRITER looking for a lead guitarist and female lead singer to interpret and play my original songs. Hoping to record and play live. Michael (631) 475-2316. (1298) ORIGINAL GOSSIP band is looking for a bass player. All original music only. Log on to OriginalGossipBand.com. Check us out and contact Tania at: ionlyrocknroll@hotmail.com (1298)

Long Island's Joe Coss: 'Bright Colors' Shining

From 2005 to 2013, Joe Coss – singer/songwriter and guitarist for the Long Island-based band Liquid Phase – spent his days traveling from Long Island to downtown New York City to work as the lead mechanical engineer on the new World Trade Center. His journey is chronicled in the band’s song “Bright Colors,” now available as a remastered single on Spotify and other music services. It's an upbeat song which brings to light Coss’s love for both the city and the oceanside oasis that is Montauk. Liquid Phase, a rock band from Montauk, is well established on this strip of land as a huge fan favorite. It features Coss on vocals and guitar, Jamie Grubb on keyboards, Dan Zellan on guitar and vocals, Johnny Molinari on bass, and Steve Collins on drums. For more of the band's music: Reverbnation.com. Learn even more at LiquidPhaseMusic.com.

GUITARIST SEEKS Drummer for original duo performing rock, pop, and country music. Call Mark at (718) 757-9435 or write to siegtec@ icloud.com. (1299) FOR SALE FOR SALE: 1936 Rockola Jukebox. Art deco design, a rare find. Needs minor repair. (516) 233-9916. OPPORTUNITIES DO YOU currently sell products or have

20 • Good Times Magazine • November 17 - December 14, 2020

connections with bars, clubs, restaurants? Introduce us to your connections and we weill pay you for what they buy. Our prices and service put you in a position to make extra money. Position is commission-based. Nassau County, Eastern Queens only. Contact: Nick @ Classic-Beverage.com. (1297)

We’re Seeking Individuals For Delivery Deliver Good Times Every Two Weeks To Clubs & Retail Stores $15/hr Plus Gas Delivery Experience & Reliable Car A Must

For More Information:

Contact Rich (516) 280-2100

WE’RE BACK!!!

For Those Who Have Loved Reading The Good Times For The Past 51 Years, There’s Great News. We’re Restarting Publication On October 16 And Then November 17 & December 15

Has Been Long Islands Arts & Entertainment Paper, Covering Music, Film, Sports, Theatre, Local Musicians, Dining And Much More NOW We’re Adding Sections On Health & Wellness, Books, Tv & Video Streaming, Art Galleries And Antiques

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We’ve Been Closed Since March 16 And It’s Been Rough. We Need Your Help. The Pile Of Bills Is Huge

FOR RATES AND INFO CONTACT RICH BRANCIFORTE AT 516-280-2100 OR EMAIL US AT GTMAG@OPTONLINE.NET Good Times Magazine - November 17 - December 14, 2020 • 21

RHYTHM TRACKING

With Jimi LaLumia

R.I.P. EDDIE VAN HALEN

In the midst of so much chaos in the world recently, the music universe lost a major component with the death of Eddie Van Halen. I was working in Sam Goody's in The Smith Haven Mall when the debut Warner Bros. album by Van Halen was released, powered by their cover version of The Kinks classic. "You Really Got Me." Seventies rock fans went wild over the album, as thousands of garage-based guitar stars took on Eddie as their hero, role model, and idol, the person they all wanted to be. In the decades that followed, the group became the world's most popular band, launching a new wave of heavy metal that carried over through the ’80s and ’90s as guitar-driven hard rock remained the genre of choice for several generations.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN Sh S ho or rt t J Ja au un nt ts s & & E En nj jo oy ya ab bl le e N Ne ew w H Ha au un nt ts s

Lights For Peace: Bethel Woods Center for the Arts has announced Peace, Love & Lights, a drive-through holiday light experience at the historic site of the 1969 Woodstock festival in upsate Bethel – the site of the original Woodstock festival. The light show, totaling just over one mile, will open Monday, November 23 and run nightly (including all holidays) through Sunday, January 3 from 5 to 10 pm. Peace, Love & Lights, powered by Healey Brothers and presented by The Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association, will be filled with LED lighting and animated displays. The light show features a 120-foot Twinkle Tunnel and themed areas, including Groovy Way, an Enchanted Forest, Snowflake Alley, and Santa’s Workshop. “Dinners With Santa,” discounted tickets to The Museum at Bethel Woods, and special promotional nights will also be available. “Bethel Woods has always been focused on building community and creating shared experiences for the whole family,” said Eric Frances, CEO of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. “Since opening in 2006, we have grown our programming beyond the summer season. Now we are delighted to take the first steps toward making Bethel Woods a winter holiday

THE SUPREMES/FUNNY GIRL

It has never been a secret that I have been a hardcore Motown fan since 1964 when I was 12 years old. The legacy of the label has been celebrated quite frequently as the years rolled by, but in recent times an excellent series of "Expanded Edition" double CD box sets (with a booklet that historians adore) have been released. It’s created by the artful and accurate Andrew Skurow, George Solomon, and Joe Marchese. The latest in the series is the often overlooked and underplayed Diana Ross & the Supremes Sing And Perform Funny Girl. Motown head Berry Gordy was a fan of working show tunes into the live shows of his artists in order to get them bookings at The Copacabana, The Frontier Hotel, and other huge nightclubs worldwide. This album is a superb example of a group that first emerged with classic R&B singles, demonstrating an ability to embrace and enhance key tunes from a classic Broadway show while adding typical Motown-ish flourishes that made them sound totally contemporary and enjoyable to a variety of potential audiences. The album is my current secret addiction, and actually sounds as if it could have just been recorded a year ago.

Jimi LaLumia Publicity/PR

I made “Death To Disco”/Psychotic Frogs an international sensation, and work with worldwide icon Jayne County. I am available for consult on publicity/media angles for bands, actors, politics, and more. Facebook/lalumi-dia public relations

Courtesy Bethel Woods

destination for the region.” “This light show is a new signature event for our Sullivan Catskills, visitors from all over the region — potentially generating an estimated economic impact of $7 to $9 million into our local economy (Destinations International Event Impact Calculator),” stated Roberta Byron-Lockwood, President and CEO, Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association. “COVID-19 may have impacted our tourism landscape, but we are innovative and will work diligently to bring back our travel industry; thus affording the necessary revenue to our communities and small businesses.” Tickets for Peace, Love & Lights are sold as one carload, one price. A Dasher Pass gives guests the chance to skip the line Friday through Sunday and is available as a $20 add on to a regular ticket. Tickets for limos, RVs, and buses and other larger vehicles also available. Purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended and ensures a quick and contactless experience while for a lower price. A portion of proceeds benefit Bethel Woods Center for the Arts’ nonprofit mission based programming. For more information, call Bethel Woods Center for the Arts at (845) 583-2000.

22 • Good Times Magazine - November 17 - December 14, 2020

BITS & PIECES

Little Mix: England’s Gift To Pop Returns Pop superstars Little Mix have another hit with “Sweet Melody,” lifted from their sixth album, Confetti, which just was released to stores and digital platforms wherever music is sold. Co-written by Ariana Grande’s collaborator Tayla Parx, and coproduced by No.1 hit maker MNEK, “Sweet Melody” is an infectious pop song Columbia Records emblazoned with gigantic harmonies and a driving rhythm. Little Mix members Jade, Perrie, LeighAnne, and Jesy have been busy recording, working on the album for the last year.

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Sony Music/ Columbia

The Middle Kingdom – available wherever digital music is sold – is a new spoken word with music album comprised of a selection of poems from the Elliott Murphy collection of the same name. Read by Elliott with accompanying music composed and performed by musical partner Olivier Durand, the result is an album whose provocative lyrical images are lifted to another dimension with sympathetic and moving musical themes. The idea was born during the coronavirus confinement when it was impossible for the collaborators to perform or record. Elliott proposed that Olivier choose a selection of poems from Elliott’s second book of poetry, The Middle Kingdom, and the David Godichaud project moved forward from there.

Say Hello To Leah Belle Faser

Only 15, many hail Leah Belle Faser as the next queen of country. Her debut EP, Crossing Hermi’s Bridge (out now), shows off her rootsy pop/country sensibilities and bell-clear vocals on seven compositions. Faser’s writing examines age-appropriate but nonrestrictive topics such as relationships gone both right and awry.

Deborah Celecia Wagoner; courtesy Michael J. Media

AC/DC: Plugged In Again A nice event caps a lousy year: AC/DC, healthy and back, recently issued the video for “Shot In The Dark” from their first album since 2014, Powerup, which is now available everywhere.

Courtesy Columbia

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Harry Styles, the boy band frontman turned pop emporer, has premiered the official video for his new single, “Golden,” which was amassing untold thousands of views and hit as we went to press. Directed by Ben and Gabe Turner, the video was shot against the backdrop of the Amalfi Coast. “Golden,” amazingly, is already certified as a gold record by the RIAA, and is the follow-up single to “Watermelon Sugar” and “Adore You” – both of which are certified multi-platinum, and also hit #1 on the Top 40 and Hot AC radio charts. “Watermelon Sugar” also topped the Billboard Hot 100, marking Styles’ first song to reach #1 on the time-honored chart. The tracks are all featured on his platinum-certified album Fine Line, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 upon release, and was recently named one of the top 500 albums of all time by Rolling Stone.

Good Times Magazine • November 17 - December 14, 2020 • 23

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Although memories of Harry Chapinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music career will ebb and ďŹ&#x201A;ow, the legacy of what this charismatic individual has done to make it a better world will last an eternity.â&#x20AC;? ~ Michael Francis Taylor, Author, Harry Chapin: The Music Behind the Man, New Haven Publishing, 2019

In 1980, Harry Chapin founded Long Island Cares, Inc. DV RXU UHJLRQÂˇV YHU\ Ă&#x20AC;UVW IRRG EDQN ,Q KH ZDV JRQH DW DJH DQG KH QHYHU VDZ ZKDW WKH RUJDQL]DWLRQ ZDV WR EHFRPH ,Q WKH SDVW VHYHQ \HDUV /RQJ ,VODQG &DUHV 7KH +DUU\ &KDSLQ )RRG %DQN KDV UHVSRQGHG WR D GHYDVWDWLQJ KXUULFDQH WKH ORQJHVW JRYHUQPHQW VKXWGRZQ LQ RXU QDWLRQÂˇV KLVWRU\ DQG QRZ WKH &29,' JOREDO SDQGHPLF $OWKRXJK +DUU\ LV JRQH WKH PXVLF VWRULHV DGYRFDF\ WKH FULWLFDO ZRUN RI WKH RUJDQL]DWLRQ KH IRXQGHG DQG KLV OHJDF\ FRQWLQXH

Be a part of the solution today! â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I die, I would like it to be said that it mattered that I was alive.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;You want to know what is really obscene? Hunger. Hunger is an obscenity and hunger in America is the ultimate obscenity.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;This commitment to end world hunger, and my music and story songs, are ways of dealing with the world as I see it. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m playing 200 concerts a year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; half of them beneďŹ ts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all of them attempts at getting across the footlights to people I would enjoy spending time with in non-concert situations.â&#x20AC;? ~ Harry Chapin, 1943-1981

24 â&#x20AC;˘ Good Times Magazine - November 17 - December 14, 2020

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