Vietnam Era Museum and Educational Center Exhibit Tells the Story of Rock Through the Ages

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Posters and related music from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame showcase the history of rock and roll from its earliest beginnings to the 1990s.

Holmdel, NJ (March 17, 2016) — Fifty Years of Rock and Roll, a traveling exhibit from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, will be on display at the Vietnam Era Museum and Educational Center, 1 Memorial Lane, Holmdel, NJ. Posters from the collection tell the history of rock and roll from Chuck Berry and Ray Charles, to the Grateful Dead and R.E.M.. The exhibit is open now through June 4, 2016.

Music had a profound impact on the Vietnam War Era, and the conflict in Vietnam seemed to permeate rock and roll in the 60s and 70s. The War is sometimes described as the first rock and roll war, with popular songs about the conflict providing a connection to home for troops. Artists like Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon and Bob Dylan described the struggles of soldiers in the music they created.

Twenty rock and roll reproductions are included in the traveling exhibition organized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. The various posters provide a look back on fifty years of rock music. Ephemera from artists such as Chuck Berry, Elvis, Ray Charles, the Grateful Dead, the Clash, and R.E.M. exemplify the diversity of the music that has evolved since Alan Freed’s Moondog Coronation Ball in 1952, cited by many as the first rock and roll concert.

The exhibit consists of 20 posters, including a poster from the Beatles’ last official concert in 1966 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, and a poster from Elvis’ homecoming to Mississippi.

The Vietnam Era Museum and Educational Center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and by special appointment. The museum provides political, cultural and historical context for the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial, located on the same grounds as the educational center.

The Vietnam Era Museum & Educational Center is the first museum of its kind in the United States. It helps visitors gain an understanding of the conflict in Southeast Asia and the surrounding political strife in America and its lasting impact on American culture, with an emphasis on experiences in New Jersey.

NFOIC: State Open Government Activist is 2014 Freedom of Information Hall of Famer

For Immediate Release:
9/5/14

Well known for his public advocacy and a frequent panelist and speaker throughout New Jersey, John Paff this year becomes the 15th inductee into the State Open Government Hall of Fame. Known as the "Heroes of the Fifty States," the joint initiative of the National Freedom of Information Coalition (NFOIC) and the Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the recipient's "long and steady effort to preserve and protect the free flow of information about state and local government that is vital to the public in a democracy." Formal induction takes place on October 24 at the 2014 NFOIC Freedom of Information Summit in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Paff has been dubbed "New Jersey's busiest open government activist" by reporter Colleen O'Dea, who featured him this February in her New Jersey Spotlight article "Profile: The Man Who Makes Sure Government Works - Right Out in the Open."

John Paff

Paff's interest in government transparency began in 2002 shortly after the New Jersey Open Public Records Act was passed. Since then, he has taken a lead role in the work of the New Jersey Libertarian Party's Open Government Advocacy Project and has served as Project Chairman since 2003. He has also served for the past five years on the board of trustees for the New Jersey Foundation for Open Government, a non-profit organization devoted to improving compliance with the state's Open Public Records Act and Open Public Meetings Act. Paff is also is a gifted writer and blogs about noteworthy issues at NJ Open Government Notes.

Having earned a reputation as a government watchdog, Paff typically juggles five public records requests at any one time. He has filed and won numerous lawsuits against non-compliant public agencies and, in doing so, has made a significant contribution to the body of case law giving teeth to the statutes. "The award judges had a wealth of riches this year in choosing its 'hero,' but John Paff stood above the crowd," said Sarah Nordgren, Director of Content Development for the Associated Press and one of the NFOIC judges who reviewed the nominees. "John is tireless not only in his support of open government, but also in imparting the deep knowledge he has to others, so that they, too, can work to ensure transparency."

NFOIC's president, Hyde Post said "John joins a distinguish group of 14 deserving men and women: outstanding individuals who selflessly volunteer their time to ensure open, transparent government, and freedom of information in their states and for their communities."

The FOI Summit, which also serves as the national coalition's annual conference, brings together state and regional FOI coalitions and advocates of open government. Tom Blanton, Director of the National Security Archive at George Washington University, is this year's keynote speaker. Visit NFOIC online or call NOW to register for this year's FOIA Summit. Travel scholarships are available to early registrants.

Democratic Hall of Fame Dinner

This past Thursday night the Monmouth County Democrats held their inaugural Hall of Fame Dinner, where they inducted 6 longtime and distinguished members of the Monmouth County Democratic organization into its Hall of Fame. It was well attended by many prominent democrats from around the county and included a keynote address from a very special guest, former Governor James Florio.

Those honored during the induction ceremony where:

Feeholder John D'Amico (Oceanport)

Dorothy Davis (Red Bank)

Norma Rosenbloom (Shrewsbury)

 Mayor Michael Ryan (Lake Cuomo)

Robert Salman (Marlboro)

and

Chairman Victor V. Scudiery ( Middletown)

I snapped a few pictures from the evening to share with everyone, it was truly a great event! 

Governor Florio and HoF inductee John D'Amico 

Mayor Jon Hornichk, Governor Florio and Victor Scudeiry 

Governor James Florio

Mayor Mike Ryan

Members of the Monmouth County Woman's Cuacus

Middletown's Bill Stevenson and Harry Hanna

Michael Murphy and HoF inductee Mayor Michael Ryan

Charles Uliano and HoF inductee Chairman Victor Scudeiry

Mayor Jon Hornick and HoF inducteee Robert Salman

MCD's Vice Chair Mary Foster and HoF inductee Norma Rosebloom

BREAKING NEWS: John Madden Retires From Broadcasting

It's an end to an era, it is being reported at this minute that Hall of Fame football coach of the Oakland Raiders/ broadcatser extordonaire, John Madden has announced his retirement from broadcasting.

The 73 year old Madden, has been broadcasting NFL games for 30 years and has decided that enough is enough and that he wants to spend more time with his family. 

He's going to be greatly missed, I have enjoyed spending time with him over the years as he broadcasted NFL games.

So far there has been no announcment by NBC Sports as to a replacement to sit alongsides Al Michaels in the booth during the upcoming NFL season.