What’s Inside? :LeRue Press Services and Social Media Contact Info . .. …... ................2 Adrian Roman & Shadowmoss Entertainment Group
LeRue Press Services and Social Media Contact Info
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Calling All Writers-What’s the Story? Is Looking for Quality Articles
COVER STORY: Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol Book Review
I
John Loranger …………………………....4 Building Your Personal Brand Janice Hermsen ………………..……..…..6 Tomorrow’s Possibilities Mike Aloia ……...…………………...……..7 TOPIC: Gun Control Guest Political Contributors ............11 Military Matters RG Cruise ……………………………..…...14
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Brian T. Shirley Adrian Roman & Shadowmoss Entertainment Group
BTS Entertainment Corner
I
would like to welcome Adrian Roman to the BTS Entertainment Corner this time. Some of you may remember his name from the last column, my interview with Jessica Bell, as he's the director of The Blood Thins in which Jessica is the lead actor. Here's some more info on Adrian: Adrian Roman is a screenwriter turned director. His award-winning feature screenplays include Cilla and Cole (an updated Bonnie and Clyde), Dick Sloan (A Sophomoric Comedy) and Nickolas Venture (A Redemption Story). Adrian's short screenplay, Civil Conversations (Political Drama) has received International notoriety. He has directed several shorts, TV commercials and infomercials as well has his first feature film, Ashes to Ashes (Romantic Thriller) in post-production. BTS: Well Adrian, let's start from the beginning. That is, your beginning. Where were you born, where did you grow up and when did you get into writing? AR: I was born in Queens, Astoria, New York. My parents moved to the Washington, D.C. area when I was three. Then, when I was eleven, we moved to the mountains of Maryland to a very small town called Thurmont. Camp David, the President's retreat, is there. I started writing short stories and poetry when I was seven years old. BTS: As a writer, producer and director, do you ever feel like wearing so many hats on a project can be an advantage or can it be too much sometimes? Do you take a break after a project? (I know I do) Or do you jump right into something else? AR: Wearing many hats to get a film completed is extremely taxing. I always say I'm going to take a break after principal photography, but the reality is that I am usually the editor as well, so, breaks are few and far between. I always have multiple projects going so while I am in post-production on one film, I am also in pre-production on another. BTS: I got to see you in action on the set of The Blood Thins and you were very focused. How do you flush out a scene; is it in your head as you write the screenplay, does it hit you when you get to the set, or is it a little of both? AR: It's both. I see it as I am writing and I try to do as thorough and detailed a pre-production as possible, but I allow myself to enjoy the collaborative experience with everyone on set. Sometimes people have a thought, an idea, that never occurred
to me and I know when we should try it. It's exciting when something spontaneous happens on set. BTS: What do you expect from the actors you work with, complete adherence to the script, a little wiggle room here and there or are you very loose with suggestions and improv within the scene? AR: It's rare to get to do a Table Read where adjustments and changes can be made without the pressure of shooting, so I generally stick with the script. I like to see what an actor has in mind first, on how they want to play it, and then work with them from there. There have been times when an actor does something that I never imagined when I wrote the script; sometimes it's magical and beautiful. That said, I generally know how I want the film and the scenes to feel, how they should move, and I trust my instincts. But again, some actors and crew have ideas and I will say, "That's it; that's better"! I like ideas as (Continued on page 5)
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John Loranger
N
ikolai Gogol published his great novel, “Dead Souls”, in 1842. The plot concerns a man named Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov, who buys dead serfs from various landowners; not the cadavers of these serfs, rest assured; only their names. The background of this peculiar enterprise is long and involving: serfdom in Russia, and the taxation system and census reports of those times. Any decent translation of Gogol’s novel will supply a detailed historical overview. And while such information is helpful and interesting, it is not absolutely necessary. All the reader needs to know is that the “hero”, Chichikov, is engaged in a fraudulent scheme calculated to gain him prestige. He approaches a number of landowners from whom he hopes to gain so many “souls”. Among them we meet Manilov, with whom Chichikov forms a gushingly polite friendship reminiscent of the classic cartoon characters named the Goofy Gophers. Or there is the fretful yet stubborn Mother Korobochka, the outlandishly irresponsible Nozdrev, the tight-fisted Sobakevich, and the dour hoarder named Plewshkin. The latter figure treats discarded rags or nails or scraps of paper as treasured items. It is these encounters— plus Gogol’s eccentric descriptions and digressions— that make “Dead Souls” such an enjoyable read. The author’s style combines vivid detail with a
Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol
Book Review
playful disregard for literary convention. His eye is for the typical, not the unique: thus everything in his novel is ‘familiar’, the ‘well known’, ‘the usual sights’. But the way that Gogol sees the typical, and describes it, is funny indeed; funny in every sense of the word. For example, everything is ‘as it should be’ when Chichikov visits a governor’s residence. His eyes are ‘dazzled by the candles, the lights, and the ladies’ dresses. Everything was flooded with light, and black frockcoats kept flashing by, singly and in clusters, like flies on a gleaming white sugar loaf on a sultry July day…’ The simile continues for another sixteen lines, but it transports the reader to a very different setting; a place where an elderly housekeeper is breaking apart the aforementioned sugar loaf, the shards of which are attacked by swarms of flies. The focus closes in on the flies themselves as they ‘rub their front and back legs together’ or ‘turn and take off, only to return again in new harassing squadrons’. It would be a mistake to force some symbolic meaning onto this glorious, hilarious passage. It does not really mean anything; it is simply Gogol being Gogol. The author’s genius belonged to the in-spiteof-himself variety; and the eyes he had were not the eyes he wanted. He wanted “Dead Souls” to be something it could not be: a Russian variation of Dante’s “Divine Comedy”. He attempted a sequel (Continued on page 10)
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long as no one gets "butt-hurt" if I say no. I do know what I want when it comes to the end result. BTS: As an independent artist (not just films, you paint and play music as well) how has the industry changed for you in the last several years? Social media, good or bad for Indies? AR: I can sit alone and play music, or stand at my easel and paint.
distribution plan. We've learned that you have to be very careful with distributors. We don't want our film to get buried under a sea of films that are very low quality. As far as past projects, I have another feature, Ashes to Ashes, but it's had contractual entanglements with one of the lead actors and I'm not sure when that will get resolved. Then, there is both The Tome, a horror/comedy and Pale Darkness, a detective/serial killer/crime drama. These are completed scripts in various stages of development. BTS: Any advice for up and coming filmmakers? Warnings....or any regrets? AR: If someone wants to advance their career as a filmmaker then I believe they need to start thinking about making a feature and get away from shooting one short after another. You can make a hundred shorts but when it comes to getting funding to shoot a feature you are still considered a “First-Time Director" until you've made a feature.
(Continued on page 15)
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS
Adrian Roman: Screenwriter and Director
I write alone. Filmmaking is collaborative, which is both wonderful and challenging. With the advent of DSLR's and iPhone's, the industry is flooded with content; but not always great content. On the other hand, look at how many outlets there are now. A film can be successful and profitable and doesn't necessarily need a theater run. I'm not competing with the ninety thousand good films made worldwide, I'm competing with the five hundred great films. I need a great screenplay (story), great acting, and great sound to make a film people will like. If it is cinematic and has a great score, then all the better. People just want to watch a great story, when filmmakers forget that, they're dead. On the topic of social media, I think it's good for making connections and keeping up with and supporting everyone.
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Call or email:
BTS: When can folks out there expect to see your upcoming projects and where might they find them? Past projects as well? AR: The Blood Thins is very close to a release but I am at the mercy of post-production sound. I've been approached by five distribution companies but Executive Producer Scott James and I are not ready to cut a deal with them. We are working on our
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Janice Hermsen
P
ublishing a book can be a powerful way to build your personal brand. At the same time, you still have the challenge of promoting your book so the right readers can find you. Many self-published authors don't realize that they are 100% responsible for marketing their work. Even if you're fortunate enough to have been published by a mainstream publisher, you still have to do plenty of your own marketing. Here are some of the best strategies for promoting your books.
1. Promote Your Books With Videos Videos are getting more and more popular online. Cisco predicts that by 2020, more than 80% of consumer traffic will be video. While most authors have blogs and websites, only a small number promote their books with videos. One reason for this is that writers are often introverts. However, you don't need to be outgoing or extroverted to make effective videos. In fact, you don't even have to appear in your own videos. If you prefer, you can make PowerPoint, animated, or whiteboard videos that describe your book. Another option is to hire a spokesperson in a site such as Fiverr to talk about your book. However, it's also good to get in front of the camera and let your audience get to know you.
2. Connect with the Media Many contemporary authors are so focused on social media that they overlook more traditional media. Yet you can still get some powerful leverage from newspapers, magazines, radio stations, and other media. Send out press releases to all media outlets in your area. You can market yourself as a local author. Contact daily newspapers, free entertainment weeklies, local radio stations, and local TV networks. You may be able to arrange an interview or appearance on a radio or TV station. You can also look for opportunities to connect with new media publishers such as podcasters and people
Building Your Personal Brand who run popular YouTube channels. Find broadcasters who like to talk about books (or the topic your book is about). Some might be interested in reviewing your book. Others might like to interview you for a podcast, video, or live broadcast.
3. Write Articles and Guest Posts One of the best ways to promote nonfiction books is to write informational articles aimed at your audience. For example, if you've written a diet book you could write an article providing weight loss tips. Your byline will direct people to your book. You could pitch the article to blogs that deal with this type of subject matter. For fiction, this is a little trickier, but it can still be done. One variation is to publish excerpts from your novel on your blog or on a third-party site such as Medium. Another possibility is to publish a short story that has some of the same characters as your novel. If readers want more, they'll have to buy your book.
4. Connect with Influential Reviewers Research some of the top reviewers on sites such as Amazon and Goodreads. Focus on people who have written lots of reviews for books in your niche. Before contacting a reviewer, get a sense of his or her preferences. You want to send your book to someone who's likely to appreciate it. Simply send a brief and polite message offering to send the reviewer a free copy of your book for a possible review. You can also contact reviewers for local newspapers and niche magazines. (Continued on page 8)
Grab a Steamin’ Wienie and a copy of What’s the Story® at Sinbad’s
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Mike Aloia Tomorrow’s Possibilities
T
“Walk the Turtle”
ransitions of passion fill the spirit as the mending of wounds become healed by the powers of kindness and love along with the compassionate touch given by a pure heart. Expectations inside the thoughts processed by an awakened mind will reveal the true feelings of vision and insight, thus enables our growth toward a powerful bond of trust and loyalty. Perceptions are felt and thrust into the realities of our consciousness giving us abilities to create the depths of commitment held by the flame that burns inside the soul. We are given glimpses of tomorrow’s possibilities as we gaze into the eyes of contentment; as the days pass and a year has ended so shall the brief moments in this life. A soft kiss upon the dust and remains caress the lips of one that understands; a connection of sacred energies is exchanged
during the music of meaningful warmth in songs of faith. Walk the turtle knowing the happiness of being loved will eventually uplift sorrows and grief, knowing in time we all must ascend into the light of our infinite life everlasting. I thank God for my Brittany and Justine.
Mike Aloia is a father of two daughters and a proud grandfather. He lives in Jacksonville, Florida. Mike is multitalented: a cartoonist, comedian, musician, songwriter, actor, columnist, and the CEO of American Hearts Radio, LLC Entertainment Network. He has experience in web V, radio entertainment production, artist management, and other aspects of entertainment. His column “Walk the Turtle” are his thoughts on slowing down, taking it easy, and enjoying life. Mike's work can be found in the following places: www.americanheartsradio.com www.facebook.com/americanheartsradio www.harmonybooking.com
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What’s the Story?™ Share it! Page 7
(Continued from page 6)
5. Build an Author Community It's natural to see other writers in your niche as the competition. While in one sense, they are, you can also cooperate with them for mutual benefit. After all, readers who like a certain topic or genre don't only read one book. They're always searching for new material. So, a community of writers who cross-promote each other's work can be a powerful force. ●
Start a Facebook group dedicated to your niche. Invite other authors who've written books comparable to yours.
●
Cross-promote with other authors on your email list, videos, blog, social media pages, and any other platforms you might be using.
●
Start a podcast. Podcasts are getting more and more popular. If you only talk about your own books, it will
get tedious. Diversify your podcast by interviewing other authors about their books. Some will return the favor and give you a shoutout in return (not necessarily on a podcast but on whatever platforms they might be using). As an author, you need to look for as many ways as possible to promote your books. A good general rule is to look for people with whom you can establish mutually beneficial relationships. This may include other authors, fans, media publishers, or anyone who's looking for news or interesting content. LeRue Press offers a wide range of publishing and printing resources for authors. We love to have authors on What's the Story? Plus:The LeRue Book Hound Radio Show. To learn more about our services, contact us. Janice Hermsen is the co-founder of LeRue Press, the editor of What’s the Story print publication and host of What’s the Story Plus the Book Hound. You can reach her at janice@lrpnv.com or by calling 775.849.3814, extension 701.
WHEN YOU BELIEVE: FLOYD SNEED, ORIGINAL DRUMMER FOR THREE DOG NIGHT Classic Drummer Hall of Fame and Pop Music Hall of Fame inductee (Three Dog Night), Floyd Sneed tells his story in his book When You Believe. It is a witty, entertaining and insightful book full of stories told by original Three Dog Night drummer, Floyd Sneed, with perspectives from people who know him. A look at life in the 60s and 70s from one of the first black drummers in an all white band. How he took his creativity to another level with his own personal imagery that is joyful and inspired by his sense of humor. Published by LeRue Press, LLC.
From drumsticks to paintbrushes
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Look What the Book Hound Found! Future Release from LeRue Press What Deepest Remains By Joseph Holsworth An autobiographical narrative that follows a young but seasoned veteran from his last mission in Iraq to his return and readjustment to life outside of combat. It explores the inner psyche of the modern veteran from the perspective of a jaded young man caught between his pride of service and the moral dilemma of fighting an unjust war. He battles PTSD and alcoholism until he finds peace in the company of a young progressive local poet. Marketing campaign: Release: 2019
Book signings
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Our US CONSTITUTION We use material from the NCCS, the National Center for Constitutional Studies. Gain a better understanding and appreciation for the principles of our US Constitution. All you need to do is join the group. The only cost is your time! Where: Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr. Sparks Legends Shopping Mall 2nd floor, Pyramid Lake Meeting Room When: 4 – 6 PM each Wednesday
The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. – Amelia Earhart https://www.forbes.com Top 100 Inspirational Quotes contributor Kevin Kruse
Textbook optional: The Making of America by Dr. Cleon Skousen For additional information contact K.J. Jones 775-626-6651 or email Jones.Richard@yahoo.com
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(Continued from page 4)
along such lines but ended up burning the manuscript shortly before dying. That is probably fortunate because what we are left with is an inimitable, oddball masterpiece.
English: Cover page of the first edition of the "Dead Souls" by N. Gogol. Moscow, 1842 Русский: Заглавный лист первого издания романа Н. В. Гоголя ""Похождения Чичикова, или мертвые души." Поэма Н. Гоголя. М., 1842
John Loranger was born in Butte, Montana in 1961 but has spent most of his life in Nevada. He served in the United States Navy from 1983 to 1987, then worked for the telephone company before retiring in 2011. He has always enjoyed reading fiction and has published two novels of his own: "The Odyssey of Art O'Hara" and "Lions and Souls: the Story of St. Mary of Egypt", available at LeRue Press and Amazon. His approach to fiction is best summed up by a quote from Walker Percy: "The first rule of thumb, of course, is pleasure. A good book gives the reader pleasure, the sort of deep, abiding pleasure he likes to come back to."
Distribution
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Perspectives from many sides
TOPIC: Gun Control
It has been a volatile period in history with dramatic splits between people and parties. Rather than maintaining silence, What’s the Story™ would like to contribute some down to earth, people-focused OPINIONS. These do not reflect our view necessarily; they reflect the views of people who identify as one of the parties listed. If you belong to one of these parties, your view might be different than what is expressed. That is to be expected. Writers share their perspective independently and without discussion between them.
WHAT WE ASKED: If you were in charge and based on what other countries are doing with gun control as referenced in this article “US Gun Policy: Global Comparisons”, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/us-gun-policy-global-comparisons would you change the laws surrounding gun control? If so, cite at least one recommendation you would make to Congress. Would your party agree with your recommendations?
Democrat View
Independent View
un control is one of the hottest of hot button issues in politics today. One of the reasons it separates the two main political factions is the equation of gun control with being unamerican. It is a ridiculous premise that pits liberals against conservatives, but it is a war of words without teeth that really pits the National Rifle Association against the American public. Realistically, a majority of Americans on both sides of the political spectrum believe some form of gun control (i.e. regulation or banning mass casualty weapons like the AR-15 and AK47) is needed and many of these same people agree that requiring gun owners to license and insure their ownership against accidents and theft is a good idea. We aren’t talking a 51% margin, but over 70% of all Americans. So why do politicians seem so reserved about offering common sense gun legislation? One reason is the NRA. The NRA once was a common-sense organization that promoted firearm safety and common-sense gun legislation. Now it openly lobbies for the gun manufacturers. Under the leadership of Wayne LaPierre, the NRA
Fear, Phobia and Firearm Fever
G
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F
ull disclosure: I’ve lost a good number of family and friends (and one dog) to gun violence. I’ve witnessed a man being shot in the head and had him die within 10 feet of me when I was 9 years old. I’ve had 11 guns drawn on me (nine by law enforcement, two by would-be robbers, 0 by tattoo artists.) On August 22nd, 1791 the slaves of Haiti began their successful revolt against the French slave owners. On December 15th, 1791 the Second Amendment was ratified as part of the Bill of Rights. James Madison, a Virginia Slave owner crafted these 27 words: “A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” Slave owners were afraid of a slave revolt in the U.S. like the one in Haiti. (Hence, even in the militia, only white men could be armed. Slaves could wear fringe.) That was over 200 years ago. Today, the N.R.A (Not Responsible or Accountable) have fed the fears and phobias of an all too ignorant people to fire-up firearm fever in order to aid firearm manufacturers in selling more
Republican View
I
would like to state some obvious (or what should be) facts. • Guns don’t kill people, people
kill people.
• Evil lurks around every corner of society. • An evil someone with an intent is bad. • If the government confiscated
everyone’s guns, only bad people will still have them (we can’t even control illegal drugs successfully!). With that said… We are an extraordinary country with our Constitution and the Second Amendment. No other nation is quite like America. We are a freedom loving people who should forever cherish our Constitution, the Second Amendment and our liberty. It is in our best interest to robustly support our document of fundamental principles (Constitution). Our founding fathers decided that, “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” But, I’m ok with common sense legislation as long as it doesn’t violate the spirit of the Second Amendment. Assault weapons should NOT be sold to the public. AR-15’s are NOT assault weapons unless they fire “full automatic” and/or carry a 100 round magazine. I
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Copyright, 2015-2019, LeRue Press. No part of this publication may be copied or reprinted without permission from LeRue Press (LRP). *https://usafacts.org/reports/facts-in-focus/census-citizenship-question-2020-since-1820-acs-decennial
What’s the Story?™ Share it! Page 11
(Continued from page 11) (Democratic)
(Continued from page 11) (Independent)
(Continued from page 11) (Republican)
has supported only laws that weaken gun legislation and had either ignored or publicly excoriated victims of gun violence. Their only solution to said violence is a “good guy with a gun” theory that is mostly fantasy. They threaten law-makers on both sides of the aisle by posting candidates that are “Pro-Gun” to take their seats in the house and senate. Another reason is public support for the Constitution. Public knowledge of the Bill of Rights is less now than ever. History is no longer a factual class taught under the guise of truth about American roles in violent conflicts. The actual words to the Second Amendment are misquoted by those who purport to be constitutional scholars and opinion means more than fact when it comes to the Second Amendment. The most liberal democrats hesitate to talk about amending the Constitution, or sponsoring legislation that would limit or ban mass casualty weapons. Democrats fear they would suffer defeats in potential purple states if they support or sponsor gun legislation of any kind. This may be true, but by failing to act, what message does that send their supporters? Republicans have no fear when it comes to enacting laws that decimate its base. They do so with impunity and lie to their base about their effects. Democrats simply lack the conviction to move forward with laws that would curb much of the gun violence in this country. Optics have become the ruler of Washington, not ideas, nor public good, when right-wing organizations have a twenty-four-hour propaganda machine at their disposal and an opponent that hasn’t the guts to
weapons. Every time that there is another mass shooting the N.R.A. (No Reasonable Answers) claim if there were more guns, blah, blah, blah, we’d be a safer nation. I call “Bee-Ess”. I like to think I have some reasonable answers even if I do not have a “silver bullet” solution to gun violence and 2nd Amendment abuse. If I could enact the following practices and make them law I would: 1) Get rid of corporate personhood and dark money from our politics. Roughly 87% of our population want universal background checks. Politicians are “paid” to ignore the people’s requests. 2) Gun owners would be required to carry firearm insurance and have rates work the same way as with cars, homes, etc. The safer you are, the lower your rates. People take extreme measures to keep their insurance rates low. I know how my mother was once I began to drive. My mother knew every mile I drove, each gallon I used, who I had in the car and what time I got home. 3) Ban all assault style rifles and high capacity ammo clips of civilian use. 4) Take the guns from and/or deny them
believe that magazines should max out at 30 rounds (perfect for target practice). Psychologically speaking, military style weapons may incite terror to those that are “sensitive” and “unfamiliar” with guns, otherwise, they are no more dangerous than many other guns…or vehicles that have been utilized in homicides! In order for laws to work, they must be followed. Criminals DON’T follow laws. Also, we need to call mass shootings what they really are…acts of pure evil, NOT mental health issues! Studies have shown that most of the homeless have mental health issues but they are not committing mass murder. So why are mass shootings increasing or seem to be? We need to get to the root of the issue. Here are my thoughts: We have dismissed prayers and corporal punishment from our schools, violent video games, social media and smart phones are commonplace not to mention the breakdown of the family unit, illegal drug use, propaganda against law enforcement officers, parents that have decided not to discipline their children, but instead, allow the school system to do it (without spanking of course). We have stopped (in places) enforcing our laws and holding people accountable.
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(Continued from page 12) (Democratic)
fight back. Democrats need to find their backbone. At the very minimum, the democrats should present a bill that bans mass casualty weapons. Active shooters do not use handguns to commit mass shootings. They use weapons that fire at a rapid rate and present an almost insurmountable amount of firepower to defend against. Police have very little chance to stop someone armed with one of these weapons. Banning bump stocks was a small step forward. Congress must move forward with an active ban on these weapons. Guest Political Contributor, D.L. Whitehead D.L. Whitehead is the author of Darwin’s Sword, https:// dlwhitehead.wordpress.com/ Editor’s Note: We ask our three guest contributors to provide opinion. Sometimes, those opinions contain information that may have been contradicted or additional information added at a later date. Please keep that in mind as you read their columns.
(Continued from page 12) (Independent)
(Continued from page 12) (Republican)
to people of diminished mental capacity, perpetrators of domestic violence, terrorist suspects . (Domestic, imported and I.P.A.) 5) Limit ammo purchases and assign identification “numbers to batches of ammo” embossed on bullets. This would narrow down a pool of suspects in shootings. Most gun owners own guns out of fear. Fear of the other, the unknown, losing power, being replaced and social myths. Fox news feeds that fear. Even hunters are afraid. My ancestors hunted and killed elephants and lions with blow darts and a coke bottle that some crazy gods gave them. The N.R.A. (Not a Reliable Actor) is always scaring gun owners into buying more guns because their old guns were for the old fears. New fears require new guns. Which brings me to 6) Take Trump’s Twitter account away.
We need to stop being stupid and politically correct. People need to report what they hear or see that could jeopardize lives. Stop the anti-gun propaganda and return to our roots…love of God and country. Continue background checks and profile people. Limit new production of rifle magazines to a max capacity of 30 cartridges. Unless you are in the military or law enforcement, the minimum age to purchase a gun should be 21…with drug testing. Failure of a drug test would result in a purchase ban for a period of three years. Law abiding citizens should NOT be punished for the acts committed by evildoers. However, keep in mind that a person who wants to commit murder and can’t procure a gun may instead utilize a vehicle…
Guest Political Contributor, GD Fenderson GD Federson is a Certified Forensic Humourist out of Maryland.
Guest Political Contributor, R.G. Cruise RG Cruise is the author of Operation: Omega www.RGCruise.com
Go to www.SoGDFunny.com
Copyright, 2015-2019, LeRue Press. No part of this publication may be copied or reprinted without permission from LeRue Press (LRP).
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Military Matters Hello Everyone, This is the second of a new monthly column that will honor and inform our military community of important information that they may or may not be aware of. Our first subject matter that we address will be Space Available Flights and our discussion will extend over the next several months. Be sure to watch for every issue of, What’s the Story? as we explore Space-A Travel together!
I
n the last issue of, “What’s The Story?” we introduced Military Matters covering the introduction of Space A. I discussed a little about what Space A is, but let’s also look at what it’s not.
Space A is not for everyone though and remember that the mission always comes first. Space A is not for the following situations: • if you are flying for comfort. • if you have time constraints. • if you cannot afford lodging. • if you cannot afford a commercial plane ticket. • if you have medical issues that may need to be addressed during the flight. • if you cannot board the plane on your own power (some assistance may be provided). Most flights will take place on cargo or tanker planes. These planes can and will be cold and noisy. Seats can become unbearable. The creatures of comfort that abound on commercial flights are nowhere in sight on these planes. The saving grace here is that you are usually allowed to move around once you are airborne. Some flights even allow you to lie down on the deck or on top of missile cases! So if you are on a long flight, you may want to engage in a nice, hard nap! If you are lucky enough to catch a flight and it happens to be a Patriot Express (PE), then you will be endowed with luxuries similarly found on commercial jaunts since these flights are commercially chartered and contracted by the DoD and occur on regular commercial aircraft. PE flights have standard routes and schedules. Who’s eligible for these flights that are no or little cost? The simple answer is: active duty and their dependents, retirees and qualified family members and 100% disabled veterans! More information for eligibility and priority groups (aka categories or “Cats”) can be found at www.amc.af.mil.
If you qualify for the Space A Travel Program, for most terminals, you will then need to register for travel on a 60 day priority list from each installation of departure. This is where your due diligence will come in handy. You should start with the largest possible base closest to your place of residence as smaller bases tend to have infrequent or no Space A flights. You can search the internet for passenger terminal information for each base and contact the terminal directly, if needed. Not all bases will post flight information, but most do. Some popular and dynamic U.S. Space A bases include: JB Andrews, JB Charleston, JB Elmendorf-Richardson, JB Lewis-McChord, JB McGuire-Dix, JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Travis AFB. SPACE A REMINDER Per DODI 4515.13: “There is no guarantee of transportation and reservations will not be accepted or made for any spaceavailable traveler. The DoD is not obligated to continue an individual’s travel or return the individual to the point of origin or any other point. Travelers should have sufficient personal funds to pay for commercial transportation, lodging and other expenses if space-available transportation is not available. All associated expenses are the responsibility of the traveler.” By R G Cruise, U.S. Navy Vet RG Cruise is the author of Operation: Omega www.RGCruise.com Editor’s Note: RG Cruise has made every effort to provide accurate information. Please check the appropriate website for verification of details if you plan to use Space A travel.
Copyright, 2015-2019, LeRue Press. No part of this publication may be copied or reprinted without permission from LeRue Press (LRP).
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Distribution: 2500 copies per month in print. Additional online exposure at issuu.com and lrpnv.com (Continued from page 5)
The shorts I made were great training ground projects as I did not go to film school. Indie filmmakers need to know that they will sometimes be doing ten jobs to get the film in the can. It's a lot of hours. I have no regrets. I chose to do this and can't imagine doing anything else. It's not a part-time job for me, it's twelve to fifteen hours a day, six days a week...sometimes seven. I've always loved movies and making films means I get to tell visual stories and make art; so, for me it's worth it. It's easy to make bad movies and brutally hard to make a good one, but I'm up for that. The Blood Thins is a film I'm proud of and it was a pleasure because everyone who worked on it were all beautiful people. I was lucky. It will be released soon. https://vimeo.com/340427530 https://vimeo.com/265571300 https://vimeo.com/269897842 www.Shadowmossentertainment.com Follow: Shadowmoss Entertainment FB page https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6563768/?ref_=nv_sr_2? ref_=nv_sr_2
Brian T. Shirley has the look of a Don Rickles, the comedy of a George Carlin with a touch of Robin Williams but when you roll it all together, it is pure and unique and something only Brian T. Shirley can deliver. Brian has toured the USA, Canada, The Bahamas and Japan for 25 years. He combines menology, character driven material, story telling and has worked well known comedy clubs, country clubs, resorts, cruise ships, special events, military installations and private events! Check out some of his upcoming shows, promo videos, videos from his webs series and other projects at www.briantshirley.com.
Take the Quiz: You May Know More Than You Think! 1. What should you do in the Arab countries to show that the food was delicious? 2. Which nuts are used in marzipan? 3. From which cactus is tequila made? 4. From which country does pitta bread originate?
What’s Cookin’?
Ruth VanDyke
With the local tomato crops being abundant this year, I have been freezing instead of canning our fresh tomatoes. It is so much quicker and easier. Pick, bag and throw in the freezer. When thawed they peel easily and make great soups and sauces, even tasty tomato juice. Try this fresh tomato-basil soup recipe. It can also be frozen for quick, last minute meals.
SUMMER TOMATO-BASIL SOUP 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 1 carrot, chopped 2 1/4 pounds fresh, ripe tomatoes, quartered 2 to 4 garlic cloves, chopped 5 sprigs of fresh thyme, or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme 4 or 5 sprigs of fresh basil 1 bay leaf 3 tablespoons of fresh heavy cream or sour cream salt and freshly ground pepper Cook onion and carrot in olive oil over medium hear for 3 to 4 minutes just until soft, stirring occasionally. Add the quartered tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. Lower heat and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Let cool. Puree in food processor or blender until smooth. Garnish with fresh basil and reheat.
5. Which country is the origin of the cocktail Mojito? 6. Which country is the origin of the Stella beer? 7. From which country is the famous Emmental Cheese? 8. What is the most famous Mexican beer? 9. What is the name of the gas that let rise bread dough? 10. What is Japanese sake made from? 11. What is bottled a lot in the French town Vichy? 12. Which French town is known for its mustard? A variety of questions this month. Thanks to https://www.quiz-questions.net (Answers on back page)
Ruth VanDyke is the mother of seven, grandmother of 16, and boasts of 10 great-grandsons. The heart warming true stories of her life are seasoned with humor and tantalizing recipes from her travels over six decades. She is a published poet and has been writing short stories for a number of years, as well as editing newsletters for various organizations. Her style of writing and wit have been compared to the late Erma Bombeck. You can join her daily as she posts recipes, short stories and poetry on her popular BLOG, 'Ruth's Food for Thought' and pick up a copy of her book, Memories with Recipes online and at LeRue Press, 280 Greg Street #10, Reno, NV.
Copyright, 2015-2019, LeRue Press. No part of this publication may be copied or reprinted without permission from LeRue Press (LRP).
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1st Segment: News, LeRue Press updates, publishing information 2nd Segment: News, personality insights, interviews 3rd Segment: Book Blitz Reno Gal Says 4th Segment: Interviews-Authors, Entrepreneurs, political topics, human interest 5th Segment Ed Noel shares inspiration and tips 6th Segment Blues: Chillin’ w/Bobby Joe: sponsored in part by the Utah Blues Society 7th Segment: Movie Reviews with Jenny Brewster Hollywood Rockin Wrap Up BTS (Brian T. Shirley) Entertainment Corner 8th Segment: Health and Wellness Segment and First Responders with Doug Ashby
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Belch Almonds Agave Greece Cuba Belgium
7. Switzerland 8. Corona 9. Caron dioxide 10. Rice 11. Water 12. Dijon
Take the Quiz Answers “What’s the Story?®” is a monthly publication of LeRue Press (LRP). No part of this publication may be reprinted without permission. But we’d love it if you shared it! It is available in print and online. Go to www.lrpnv.com or www.issuu.com and search LeRue Press. Copyright, 2015-2019, LeRue Press, LLC. No part of this publication may be copied or reprinted without permission from LeRue Press, LLC(LRP).