Unselfish Kids in HJ News

Local father-daughter duo pen new book to highlight selfless acts.

After its release on Dec. 3, “Unselfish Kids,” a book written by a local father-daughter duo, received national attention.

Sammie Parkinson and her father, Paul, who lives in Logan, spent the last year and a half collecting stories highlighting the selfless and charitable acts of children all over the country. This collection became the second book in Paul’s popular Unselfish series.

On the day the book was released, three of the children featured in the book joined Paul and Sammie on NBC’s Today Show.

Unselfish Kids, WCGO Radio Interview

Gabby Road with Hannah, Fred & Justin

“Gabby Road with Hannah, Fred and Justin” … three generations, smart talk and good discussion, every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCGO 1590 AM/95.9 FM and the Smart Talk Radio Network.

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Books, Lifestyle

Selling Americans on America

Selling Americans on America: Journey into a Troubled Nation
In the aftermath of WWII, America was on the verge of losing its soul. In response, The Freedom Train traveled the U.S. American values to those who had lost their way.

https://wgnradio.com/2019/10/03/how-a-freedom-train-reignited-faith-in-a-country-that-was-riddled-with-dissent-anxiety-and-mistrust-in-its-leaders

This is the podcast for Extension 720. The show originates from Chicago on WGN Radio and features newsmakers, tastemakers and trailblazers. Hosted by award-winning broadcaster Justin Kaufmann, this talk show/audio magazine goes in-depth to help you better understand the city (and world) that you live in.

Gerry and Janet Souter have authored and co-authored more than 50 non-fiction books in history, biographies, young adult, art books, military history, business, memoir, computers, and the Internet. Gerry was a writer, producer, international filmmaker, and columnist and photographer for The Chicago Tribune. He is proud of his work for the Arizona State Guard and Detective Agency and his stint in the U.S. Merchant Marine. Janet Souter was a news coordinator, editor and columnist for the Daily Herald Newspaper.

Here Gerry and Janet Souter are in the WGN (720 AM National SuperStation) radio studio with our host, Justin Kaufmann. They are flogging their latest history book released in September, “Selling Americans on America – Journey into a Troubled Nation.” The gig lasted about 20 minutes at 8:00 PM. Justin took time to acquaint himself with the book and was an excellent interviewer. To tell the story of the Freedom Train’s marathon journey through all 48 states, stopping at 300 towns and cities from 1947-49 showing original documents from the National Archives guarded by U.S Marines to bust Americans out of their post WWII malaise had us spinning non-stop (pant, pant). The time shot by.

How a “Freedom Train” reignited faith in a country that was riddled with dissent, anxiety and mistrust in its leaders.

In 2018, 10 years after the damaging recession of 2008, America was barely hanging onto its democratic values, shaken by a profound mistrust in government, with freedom of speech under attack and thousands of refugees seeking asylum in America. Compounding those problems were economic inequality, a loss of common civility, and a failure to provide for the needs of returning warriors. By 2019, the fabric of American society was barely holding together.

Selling Americans on America tells of another turbulent era—Post World War II— when a phenomenon called the “Freedom Train” reignited citizens’ faith in a country that was riddled with dissent, anxiety and mistrust in its leaders.

In 1945-46 more than five million workers enlisted in labor strikes across the country. The constant fear of communist infiltration dominated the headlines. Returning GIs demanded jobs and housing. Government entities continued war-time meat and dairy rationing. Displaced Persons fleeing war-torn Europe poured into the country. Overseeing the chaos was a president nobody elected, coupled with a bitter, divisive Congress.

To renew citizens’ unity and pride in their nation, a privately funded consortium of advertising, civic, and entertainment professionals created a product to literally “Sell Americans on America.” To help carry their message of hope, they assembled 130 priceless documents including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Emancipation Proclamation. Combined with a media blitz of songs, operettas, radio shows, and local festivities, the train reminded Americans that “Freedom is Everybody’s Job.”

Books, History

Kutza & the Movies

Gabby Road

[LISTEN to the Podcast ] –> https://soundcloud.com/gabbyroadradio/1062019-guest-michael-kutza

KUTZA & THE MOVIES!

Talking about Hollywood, The Chicago International Film Festival,

His new Book, new Podcast and state of cinema today!

All in 17 minutes OMG

WCGO Radio in Chicago on October 6, 2019. Fred Weintraub, Hannah Aggie and Justin Kulovsek from the show “Gabby Road” interview with Michael Kutza, Founder and Director of the Chicago International Film Festival.

Books, History, Lifestyle

Quest for ‘Lost City’ Leads Chicago Man on Risky Jungle Expedition

Chicago Tonight | Jay Shefsky | May 3, 2018

Quest for ‘Lost City’ Leads Chicago Man on Risky Jungle Expedition

CHASING THE LOST CITY: CHRONICLES OF DISCOVERY IN HONDURAS BY TOM WEINBERG

The story traces the 20-year quixotic obsession of a few guys that blossomed into a world-renowned scientific, historical and archaeological breakthrough. Pals since the 1970s, Weinberg and expedition leader Steve Elkins and his expert team uncover incontrovertible evidence of a previously unknown civilization.

It includes the author’s private journals written in Honduras, plus more than 180 photographs and Weinberg’s deep reflections on his “Adventure of a Lifetime.”

The reader is brought into the world of the discoverers, complete with dangerous snakes and insects, gorgeous untouched beauty, exhilaration and a rare disease that came with the discovery.

It’s a great read and the pictorial and personal companion to the 2017 New York Times #1 bestseller, Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story by Douglas Preston (Grand Central, 2017.) Preston calls Weinberg “The Official Chronicler” who wrote on his laptop in impenetrable Mosquitia Jungle.

By his own admission, Tom Weinberg is not the kind of guy you’d expect to embark on a dangerous jungle expedition.

“I was 70 years old, a desk-sitting urban Jewish TV/video guy who never spent a night sleeping on the ground in a jungle.” That’s how Weinberg begins his new book “Chasing the Lost City: Chronicles of Discovery in Honduras.”

The 2015 expedition was the culmination of a 20-year quest by Weinberg, a lifelong Chicagoan and longtime independent video producer, and his longtime friend Steve Elkin, to find evidence of an ancient abandoned city in the Honduran jungle. They are not archeologists or explorers themselves, but they got filmmakers and archeologists, as well as jungle experts and the Honduran government, to help with their search.

They succeeded in entering a part of the jungle believed to be untouched by humans for hundreds of years. And they did find evidence of human habitation as recently as the mid-15th century.

Gary W Moore, The Final Service – interview On the Front Porch

“The Final Service” the 3rd book by critically acclaimed and award winning author Gary W. Moore.
Synopsis:
“He arrived unannounced but where and when she needed him most.”
Sandy Richards, a 40 year old music teacher in Walton Center carries a burden she cannot release. Beloved by her students and family, Sandy’s damaged relationship with her father and her unfulfilled dreams bring her to the brink of her destruction. An unexpected visit from an unfathomable source shakes the core of her belief system and her life forever.

Books

Glynnis Walker – Stealing Joy Chicago Tonight WTTW

Elder Abuse Warning Signs and Tips for Keeping Seniors Safe from Fraud
Andrea Guthmann | Kristen Thometz | October 1, 2015

In her book “Stealing Joy,” Glynnis Walker Anderson detailed her account of how her elderly mother was taken advantage of in her final years.

“The attorney who had written up my mother’s will a few years earlier, leaving the estate with me, conspired with a neighbor to have her write a new will just months before she died,” she said. “She didn’t even know she was signing it because she has Alzheimer’s, but she was in Canada, and I was here, making it difficult to do much. Her doctor contacted me when he noticed these two people had power of attorney to make life decisions for her. It’s very hard once someone has power of attorney to contest it.”

After spending several years and thousands of dollars in court contesting the will, Anderson was awarded her mother’s estate per the original will. As difficult as they may be, conversations regarding end-of-life planning are crucial, according to Anderson.

“You should have the difficult conversation about what their preferences are medically and financially, as well as have them write a will and talk to their loved ones about it before age 70, and have these conversations regularly. Alzheimer’s is increasingly affecting younger people. Have the conversation before your loved one is no longer competent enough to make a wise decision,” she said.

read full article…

books, Chicago Tonight, Glynnis Walker, Stealing Joy, WTTW

Books, Crime

Eric Schneider, Author “The Choir Boy” describes time in Whitey Bulger’s gang

DENVER – As the story of Boston mob boss James “Whitey” Bulger hits theaters Friday, a Denver man is sharing his memories about the five years he spent in the gang.

Eric Schneider moved to Colorado after testifying against his former partners, sending some to prison. The witness protection program gave him his new alias when he relocated.

Bulger eluded police for years before he was convicted in 2013 of 11 murders he committed or ordered in the 1970s and ’80s.

Once America’s most wanted man, he’s now serving two life sentences.

“The man was a monster. That’s the bottom line,” said Schneider. “I don’t want anybody to take this as ‘Goodfellas’ and get it glamorized. The man was a horrific man who did horrid things.”

7NEWS anchor Anne McNamara spoke to Schneider ahead of the ‘Black Mass’ release. Schneider said no one can play Whitey accurately, but, from what he’s seen in the trailer, Johnny Depp comes close.

“I’m really, really, really looking forward to seeing what Johnny Depp can do with his role with Whitey.”

Schneider met with Whitey at least 50 times between 1986 and 1991. He remembers Bulger’s “Winter Hill gang” had a Robin Hood reputation on the streets of South Boston.

“When you could kill someone at noon time at an intersection and all you had to do was say, ‘Shhh…’ just do that and everyone knew,” said Schneider. “There wouldn’t be a witness. Fifty people around and no witness to the murder.”

Schneider said he suffered abuse as a child and the mental anguish led him to organized crime. He wrote a book titled “The Choir Boy” to share his story with others who may be struggling.

Schneider said ‘Black Mass’ is more than a Hollywood tale on the big screen. It’s a reality he’s been trying to escape for decades.

“Not something I remotely look back on fondly in my life. I’m doing everything I can at this point, and have been for some time, to turn my life around,” he said.

books, eric schneider, whitey bulger

Books, Crime, Memoirs / Biographies

KDVR TV – Denver man recalls former life of crime in Whitey Bulger gang

DENVER — Johnny Depp portrays Whitey Bulger in the movie “Black Mass.” Bulger was a crime boss of the Boston Irish Winter Hill Gang.

Denver resident Eric Schneider, using an alias, would know there is nothing glamorous about the life of a gangster. He was in Bulger’s gang for seven years. “A friend of mine who knew a member of Whitey’s gang, they needed a fourth person for an armed robbery cell that robbed banks and armored cars,” Schneider said. He joined the Bulger gang in 1986. READ MORE… http://kdvr.com/2015/09/17/denver-man-recalls-former-life-of-crime-in-whitey-bulger-gang/

“Having duffel bags full of money, living in penthouses on the beach and driving fantastic cars. That’s what I was focusing on,” Schneider said.

Schneider’s life of crime came with a very dark side as well.

“I had a 28-foot Sea Ray and Whitey asked me on one occasion to take a body out to sea and sat and watched them dismember it while they sank it piece by piece,” Schneider said.

Eventually, Schneider was caught, charged with multiple counts of armed robbery, made a deal with federal agents and now is under the federal witness protection program. He also wrote a book titled “The Choir Boy.”

Schneider said his book is really three books in one.

“What I went through as a child with the abuse, being involved with the Irish mafia, and what happened with my years in Boston, and then my journey back,” he said.

Back to exactly where he’s not sure. But Schneider hopes it’s a better place than where he’s been.

books, eric schneider, whitey bulger

Books, Crime, Memoirs / Biographies