Superstar Mark Ruffalo – of “Shutter Island” and “The Kids Are Alright” fame – played the role of Culligan man this past Tuesday when he made an appearance in Dimock Twp. to protest the Marcellus Shale gas-holes from Cabot Oil as well as the DEP and state government.
He and “Gasland” filmmaker Josh Fox delivered thousands of gallons of water to affected families whose water delivery ended last week after the driller blamed for contaminating their wells was granted clemency by state regulators.
In an homage to Marie Antoinette, yours truly showed up at said rally toting a few gallons of Grey Goose while proclaiming “Let them drink vodka” as I meandered about. Let’s just say Ruffalo got a little gruff-alo with me when I asked if he brought along any Perrier.
Which reminds me, normally geese are the ones flocking from our parts during the winter season, but recently a spate of media types have flown their respective coops. For starters, music man Alan K. Stout has officially left the Times Leader building, bound for a new position with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of The Bridge. His final “Music On The Menu” column ran at the end of November and already he’s rubbing elbows with media types at posh fundraisers.
Last Thursday, Sir Stout tripped the light fantastic at Mohegan Sun alongside the likes of WNEP-TV’s Tom and Noreen Clark as well as Magic 93′s Frankie Warren and his better half Erin, who are all serving as honorary chairs for the 30th anniversary of Bowl for Kid’s Sake which benefits Big Brothers/Big Sisters. The actual fundraiser is slated for March 31st at various local bowling alleys so mark your calendars and get ready to hang out in a dark alley for a good cause.
Alan and I, by the way, got our start in the entertainment industry at exactly the same time, working for fiercely competitive newspapers and yet maintaining a professional friendship that has lasted for almost two decades. Like soldiers in battle, there are bonds formed when you’re forced to cover historical events such as a sold-out Britney Spears concert or a packed-to-the rafters Lilith Fair amidst torrential downpours, seated right next to each other, and before the days of laptops and email when we had to get back to our respective newsrooms to file our stories.
Happy trails to you Alan and best of luck with your altruistic new endeavor.
Meanwhile, Abington Journal editor Kristie Grier will be out of her office for 12 weeks now that she’s taking care of her beautiful bouncing baby girl, Gigi, who entered the world just last Monday. I’m sure the proud little mama is over the moon now that she and her hubbie will be celebrating a “pink” Christmas this year. Big smooches!
In the meantime, that flirty and fabulous Abington Suburban editor – sweet Ellen Coyle – has also left the Times Building, bound for Altoona to join her hunky hubbie Jack – former PR man for Mercy Hospital who has since landed a job as communications director for Mount Aloysius College. Big sigh that their sunny dispositions are already missed in these parts. A major mazel tov to both of you darlings.
Flying high in Ellen’s chair, mind you, is the newly-named Suburban editor, journalism superstar Stephanie Longo, who bid The Times Leader’s Go Lackawanna arrivederci so she could wish The Times-Tribune buongiorno on her first day this past Tuesday. Buona fortuna to you Stephanie!
