News of interest to those in the broadcasting industry
and others. This forum is moderated and is open to everyone!
Friday, November 28, 2003
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Updated Statistics
If you click on the "Statistics" button on the home page, there is a wealth of information available for the current quarter.
Select a month of interest and you can see usage by hour, day or month as well as what pages were most frequently
accessed. You can also see where are users are coming from by country, browser type and ISP. While some of the information is a bit cryptic, "play" with it and you will soon be able to read it like a pro!
>Saturday, November 22, 2003
Salmon Is Good for You, Right Not This Kind!
Salmon is a great source of healthy omega- 3 fatty acids. It's great for your heart, your brain, your skin and your joints. But if you think all salmon is alike, then think again!
If you buy salmon at the supermarket, chances are good that it doesn't come from the sea, but from a fish farm. And farmed salmon is anything but healthy.
Farmed salmon are hatched in plastic trays ... crowded into unsanitary underwater cages. . . fattened with soybean pellets. . . dosed with antibiotics and pesticides. . . and injected with a synthetic dye that gives them their pink color. (Without the dye, their flesh would be an unappetizing, pale gray.)
The fish-farming industry claims this provides a healthy food at a reasonable price. They also claim that it protects the wild salmon population from over fishing. But the facts show otherwise:
First of all, although farmed salmon are far fattier than their wild cousins, studies show that they contain two-thirds less of the omega- 3 fats!
Second, studies show that farmed salmon contain much higher levels of cancer-causing PCBs and dioxins than wild salmon.
Third, farmed salmon contain more antibiotic residue than eggs, meat or any other farm-raised animal products. And this antibiotic use has created resistant strains of bacteria that are killing the other fish in the ocean!
Fourth, the pesticides used by salmon farms are killing shellfish and other bottom dwelling sea creatures.
And fifth, the pink dye used on the salmon contains canthaxanthin, an ingredient used in sunless tanning pills that has since been banned for human use!
For you, the solution is simple: Avoid farmed salmon and eat wild salmon only. Wild salmon is available at most natural food markets and upscale gourmet restaurants. If in doubt about the fish's origin, simply ask your waiter, chef or store manager.
Submitted by Tony Cucurullo
Copied from "BOTTOM LINE magazine
Salmon is a great source of healthy omega- 3 fatty acids. It's great for your heart, your brain, your skin and your joints. But if you think all salmon is alike, then think again!
If you buy salmon at the supermarket, chances are good that it doesn't come from the sea, but from a fish farm. And farmed salmon is anything but healthy.
Farmed salmon are hatched in plastic trays ... crowded into unsanitary underwater cages. . . fattened with soybean pellets. . . dosed with antibiotics and pesticides. . . and injected with a synthetic dye that gives them their pink color. (Without the dye, their flesh would be an unappetizing, pale gray.)
The fish-farming industry claims this provides a healthy food at a reasonable price. They also claim that it protects the wild salmon population from over fishing. But the facts show otherwise:
First of all, although farmed salmon are far fattier than their wild cousins, studies show that they contain two-thirds less of the omega- 3 fats!
Second, studies show that farmed salmon contain much higher levels of cancer-causing PCBs and dioxins than wild salmon.
Third, farmed salmon contain more antibiotic residue than eggs, meat or any other farm-raised animal products. And this antibiotic use has created resistant strains of bacteria that are killing the other fish in the ocean!
Fourth, the pesticides used by salmon farms are killing shellfish and other bottom dwelling sea creatures.
And fifth, the pink dye used on the salmon contains canthaxanthin, an ingredient used in sunless tanning pills that has since been banned for human use!
For you, the solution is simple: Avoid farmed salmon and eat wild salmon only. Wild salmon is available at most natural food markets and upscale gourmet restaurants. If in doubt about the fish's origin, simply ask your waiter, chef or store manager.
Submitted by Tony Cucurullo
Copied from "BOTTOM LINE magazine
Thursday, November 20, 2003
Herbert "Chico" Claudio
1924-2003
Schwalbe, Desmond, Sullivan, Slattery, Murphy, names of giants in their field as "Boom men," at CBS.
They captured the sounds, of the myriad live shows that CBS put on the air.
But, the "Little man" stood on their shoulders as a nonpareil.
His name, "Chico," transcends for anyone to know who he was as a technician at CBS. In his post CBS days he won two Emmys working on the "Seasame Street Show."
Chico, along with Herb Schwartz, participated in WW II as combat cameramen in the Pacific theater. He Was a First Class Petty officer.
Chico had a large family, having been married before, but he had two people in his life that go beyond family. His wife Betty and his friend Ted Perzeszty, "My brother", as he always called him. In his life there couldn't be a closer relationship than between him, Betty and Ted.
Betty always said, when buying gifts or presents, "I must buy two.", and the big joke when Chico got sick was that she would purchase a wheel chair for Chico and Ted so that she could push the two of them on the Long Beach boardwalk.
I was happy to see Chico at the last CBS Retirees Luncheon this past October. He came in his wheel chair and was greeted by all.
I am trying not to be maudlin about this, but Chico, Betty and Ted are great friends to anyone that knows them. I know Ted and his wife, Patricia, will keep the spirit of Chico alive as will all of us that loved him as well.
To Betty and Chico's children, I wish them to always remember Chico as the "fun person" that was in their lives.
Chico, rest in peace, my dear friend.
Tony Cucurullo

I would like to say hello to other former CBS'ers. This past August...I left
CBS, after 28 years, to form my own consulting company. I spent many years
as a cameraman, TD, and Tech Mgr. both in studios and field. There are too
many friends and comrades to mention. Please add me to the mailing list.
Thanks,
Steve Gorsuch
Director, Broadcast Operations
United States National Tennis Center
>AVOIDING IDENTY THEFT
* The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them.
* If someone takes your check book they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
* When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.
* Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home or Never have your SS# printed on your checks (DUH!) you can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
* Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine, do both sides of each license, credit card, etc., You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel.
* Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Carry a photocopy of your passport when you travel either here or abroad.
* In case your wallet or purse is stolen:
Here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:
We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately, but the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them easily.
* File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
But here's what is perhaps most important:
Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number.
The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.
The numbers are: Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
>Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Help & Information Needed!
Hi, my name is Chuck Pharis. I am retired from ABC Network in Hollywood. I was a Senior Video Engineer. I have 38 years in Tv Engineering.
I am now consulting for a HBO Movie that will be shot early next year.
The movie is called "1952". All about historical events that happened that year. One of the story lines is about the CBS News coverage of the 1952 Political Conventions and the Presidential election night coverage.
We are going to re-construct (or at least hope to) an exact duplicate of the CBS Network News Studios in NY and the set up at the conventions and on election night.
I need some help on finding photos of the equipment used by CBS News in 1952. Both in the News Control rooms and Studios, and at the conventions and election central. Also of the Univac computer used.
I need photos of cameras, monitors, switchers, mics, audio boards, remote trucks, etc. We really want this to look as real as possible.
Also crew members and what they wore.
Some scenes take place in the News offices, so I need help there too.
Getting the equipment should be no problem, as I have one of the largest collections of vintage Television equipment in the world, and there is also a Prop House out here in Hollywood that will make up anything we need. This is (suppose to) be working studios and control rooms!
Please check out my web site to see my collection:
Pharis-Video
I hope there are some "old timers" still left that were on the crew in 1952. Not only do I need photos, I would also like to interview them.
They would be a part of history (again)!
Please let me know if you can help me?
My contact information is:
Chuck Pharis
Hollywood, Calif.
chuck@pharis-video.com
Home 818-834-8999
Cell 818-802-1603
Thanks,
Chuck
>Tuesday, November 18, 2003
Sadness, is the cloud that looms about us, and pervades in us when a dear one departs in spirit, to what we all hope is the better place for a soul to be. Earthly pain is gone, and rest from the toil of a life time is in place.
Dave Minott, who has carried with great dignity and aplomb the heavy burden this year of two elderly parents and a dear wife that required hope and prayers too.
This week his beloved mother, Ruth, 87, passed away.
Dave had to attend to this in Florida, and to comfort his father, Lou, who is 91.
We wish that his consummate universal knowledge will afford him the salve of peace that will soften this loss of his beloved Mother.
She was named for one of the books that is written in the bible.
To Dave and his wife Holly and their entire family, we wish them peace.
Tony C.
Dave Minott, who has carried with great dignity and aplomb the heavy burden this year of two elderly parents and a dear wife that required hope and prayers too.
This week his beloved mother, Ruth, 87, passed away.
Dave had to attend to this in Florida, and to comfort his father, Lou, who is 91.
We wish that his consummate universal knowledge will afford him the salve of peace that will soften this loss of his beloved Mother.
She was named for one of the books that is written in the bible.
To Dave and his wife Holly and their entire family, we wish them peace.
Tony C.
Monday, November 17, 2003
Larry Tisch is dead! The one that killed the giant, CBS. He brought CBS to its industry's knees. He along with another pipsqueak, Ed Grebow. They contrived to siphon off the assets of the dynasty that Mr. William Paley and Mr. Frank Stanton assiduously put together.
On the CBS news, Dan Rather assigned his only attributes that he was a WW2 veteran.
I wrote in our 1212 News that he was "The Barracuda of Wall Street," that appellation became his, and the Wall Street Journal, and others used it quite often.
It isn't Christian of me to speak ill of the dead, but I list some of his of his acquisitions:
He owned CNA Insurance, Lorillard Cigarettes and University Cancer Hospital. The man knew how to make money. Now I leave it to you to draw your own picture.
I wished him well when he bought CBS, for I thought with his business acumen he would increase the net worth of our company. What he did was skillfully fillet the different companies to fill his own pockets. I have no truck with that, for it was good business...for him.
He beat us, I am not sure if it was fair and square, but as a gambler I wish I was on the same side of the ledger with him.
May he rest in peace, as he awaits his judgment...
Tony Cucurullo
On the CBS news, Dan Rather assigned his only attributes that he was a WW2 veteran.
I wrote in our 1212 News that he was "The Barracuda of Wall Street," that appellation became his, and the Wall Street Journal, and others used it quite often.
It isn't Christian of me to speak ill of the dead, but I list some of his of his acquisitions:
He owned CNA Insurance, Lorillard Cigarettes and University Cancer Hospital. The man knew how to make money. Now I leave it to you to draw your own picture.
I wished him well when he bought CBS, for I thought with his business acumen he would increase the net worth of our company. What he did was skillfully fillet the different companies to fill his own pockets. I have no truck with that, for it was good business...for him.
He beat us, I am not sure if it was fair and square, but as a gambler I wish I was on the same side of the ledger with him.
May he rest in peace, as he awaits his judgment...
Tony Cucurullo
Seventy-Fifth Anniversary ( C.B.S.)
Date: 11/13/2003 2:15:45 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: EgPascul
To: Tonycucu
HI Tony ( The Strunze )
I've been meaning to respond to your comment on the Retirees Net , but never got around
to it up till now -----That is, regarding their ( C.B.S.'s ) 75 th Anniversary Program .......
In regards to what you wrote about their neglecting to mention ( at all ) any credit to the
the Engineering or Technical end of the Business . I ,(and I'm sure a multitude number of
others ) , certainly share your sentiments regarding how it was handled !!! But I think you'll
agree that in the past , neither the Company nor the Show people per say have ever given
credit on a "large scale " , publicly ------I think we've always had to settle for and be thank-
ful for any recognition we received on a personal level ---from any Talent we may have had
the pleasure of working with or our immediate "bosses " , T.D.s , supervisors etc., etc.....
Correct me if I'm wrong , and I think you should know----
Isn't it a fact that any Movie or Program made for Television "has to " by Union Ruling roll
the entire Credits when shown for Public Consumption ----I guess we more or less missed
the boat here !!!!!
Best regards ;
Gene ( The Provolone )
Gene;
We not only missed the boat, but the pier sank also.
They cared for techs. But, in the IATSE they have to print the logo on all movies.
I just had to get my point in though.
Tony C.
Date: 11/13/2003 2:15:45 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: EgPascul
To: Tonycucu
HI Tony ( The Strunze )
I've been meaning to respond to your comment on the Retirees Net , but never got around
to it up till now -----That is, regarding their ( C.B.S.'s ) 75 th Anniversary Program .......
In regards to what you wrote about their neglecting to mention ( at all ) any credit to the
the Engineering or Technical end of the Business . I ,(and I'm sure a multitude number of
others ) , certainly share your sentiments regarding how it was handled !!! But I think you'll
agree that in the past , neither the Company nor the Show people per say have ever given
credit on a "large scale " , publicly ------I think we've always had to settle for and be thank-
ful for any recognition we received on a personal level ---from any Talent we may have had
the pleasure of working with or our immediate "bosses " , T.D.s , supervisors etc., etc.....
Correct me if I'm wrong , and I think you should know----
Isn't it a fact that any Movie or Program made for Television "has to " by Union Ruling roll
the entire Credits when shown for Public Consumption ----I guess we more or less missed
the boat here !!!!!
Best regards ;
Gene ( The Provolone )
Gene;
We not only missed the boat, but the pier sank also.
They cared for techs. But, in the IATSE they have to print the logo on all movies.
I just had to get my point in though.
Tony C.
Monday, November 10, 2003
Upcoming Mini-Luncheon
Hi everyone,
We have a mini-luncheon scheduled for Wednesday, November 19th, 2003 at the East Bay diner, 2405 Merrick Rd., Bellmore, NY, at 12:00 noon. The same diner as last time. If there's any problem let me know.
Let me know if you can make it as I have to give an approximate count to the Diner.
Looking forward to seeing all of you.
Tony Casola
tcasola1@optonline.net
516 541-2263
On a past occasion I listed the names of as many of those CBS men and women that I could recall that had served in the Armed Forces of the United States. I was remiss in the fact that I couldn't and didn't know all of those that had served.
CBS has had many that served on the different battlefields, in the wars and conflicts over time. And there were cameramen that covered stories and were not recognized for there efforts. So this year I would like to salute all the veterans that went to places that only they would recall.
And too, the sailors that can only say they stood watch on a gun position in the terrible roiling waters of the North Sea, or in the boiling hot sun of the South Pacific, or off the coast of Okinawa during the Tsunami that crushed cruisers and tankers alike.
Serving, or having served, during any of the periods in the lifetime of the CBS people is what I am attempting to conjure for you to reminisce about.
I remember some the stories from Dwight Temple and Bob Abernathy about being Radio Telegraph operators during their trips about the world. Some of their reflections were chilling, and some were poetic as seen from within in their mind's eye.
But one only has to name some of the more prominent areas and battlefields to know that the people of CBS rendered their lives in defense of this country's ideals and values.
I shall start with my Father and Uncle in the fields of France in WW I and list the others as best as I can.
WORLD WAR I
WORLD WAR II
KOREA
GRENADA
VIET NAM
THE SIX DAY WAR ISRAEL
DESERT STORM
IRAQ
and all the lonely posts that our service men now walk diligently.
On November 11th, 2003, there will be a bronze plaque installed on the Walk of Honor, in Norfolk Virginia, honoring all the Seals, and the other units that make up "Silent Warriors" of the past and present.
My service during WW 11 was in a unit of Scouts and Raiders. We were euphemistically called "Frogmen" and that plaque will include a reference to them.
To all those CBS people that served this country whether in uniform, or in the true patriotic spirit that drives this nation on to greatness, take a moment to say a silent, "Thank you," to those that served at your pleasure.
Tony Cucurullo
>Looking for Help
I'm working on a book project involving the Ed Sullivan Show telecast of February 9, 1964, Episode #778 at Studio 50, New York and wish to find CBS engineers who were in the theatre that day and that night. Can you advise how I might post a request for info or hook up with someone involved?
Cheers and thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
Harvey Sawler
forerunn@nb.sympatico.ca
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Saturday, November 08, 2003
Hi Everyone,
We have a mini-lunch scheduled for Wednesday, November 19th, 2003 at the East Bay Diner, 2405 Merrick Rd., Bellmore, NY, at 12 noon. The same diner as last time.
Let me know if you can make it as I have to give an approximate count to the diner. Looking forward to seeing all of you.
Tony Casola
tcasola1@optonline.net
516 541-2263
We have a mini-lunch scheduled for Wednesday, November 19th, 2003 at the East Bay Diner, 2405 Merrick Rd., Bellmore, NY, at 12 noon. The same diner as last time.
Let me know if you can make it as I have to give an approximate count to the diner. Looking forward to seeing all of you.
Tony Casola
tcasola1@optonline.net
516 541-2263
Friday, November 07, 2003
"Trains and Light Rail"
The Tenafly Public Library is presenting a display entitled "Trains and
Light Rail" in its exhibit cases through November 29.
Created by Tenafly resident Albert Cafiero, with technical computer
support from Tenafly High School Librarian David DiGregorio.
Tthe display features historic photographs of the Tenafly Station built
in 1873, historical maps of the Northern Railroad, time tables for the
Erie Railroad, authentic ticket stubs dating back to World War I, a
chronology of the Northern Railroad since 1859 and much more.
Light rail is highlighted in the display with trolley models, out of
print publications, historical photographs of the trolley that ran
through Tenafly, Englewood and Edgewater from the William R. Agnew
Collection, NJ Transit light rail maps, modern photographs, a 1911 map of
the Englewood Line and more.
The exhibit, which surrounds a NJ Transit model of contemporary Light
Rail, also features an ongoing video display of prints of historical
railroad stations and trains from our area including Tenafly, Norwood,
Piermont, Cresskill, Nyack, North Bergen, Ridgefield, Palisades Park,
Leonia, Englewood and others.
The Tenafly Public Library is located in the Municipal Center at 100
Riveredge
Road.
Shorted Pills
Here is a note we just received from Steven Seligman. Be vigilant!
More than just a couple of times I've found that when my wife and I have received our pre-
scriptions from Express Scripts, we've been shorted pills. Never more than three, most of the time just one but when you're paying in some cases well over a dollar a pill, it can mount up. When we've called, they,ve replaced them but either they're doing it on purpose which I doubt or they run a sloppy shop which is more likely. It might sound petty but a fixed income is a fixed income is a fixed income.
HEY, LOOK HERE
I stumbled across a great website for all you old time engineers. Before the invention of calculators and computers there, was the SLIDE RULE, and IT was king. This site will inform you about anything you ever wanted to know about slide rules. The site is dedicated to William Oughtred, the inventor of the modern slide rule. Try it, you'll like it. The website is: http://www.oughtred.org
Submitted by Ted Perzeszty
I stumbled across a great website for all you old time engineers. Before the invention of calculators and computers there, was the SLIDE RULE, and IT was king. This site will inform you about anything you ever wanted to know about slide rules. The site is dedicated to William Oughtred, the inventor of the modern slide rule. Try it, you'll like it. The website is: http://www.oughtred.org
Submitted by Ted Perzeszty