So much to talk about today after spending Wednesday in Atlantic City at the 66th Annual New Jersey Broadcasters Association Conference. 

Edie Falco, James Gandolfini and Lorraine Bracco
Edie Falco, James Gandolfini and Lorraine Bracco (Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images)
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The event included the Best of the Best Awards Luncheon at Caesars in which the “Hometown View” was one of three finalists in the Best Public Affairs category.  Unfortunately a segment I did about there not being a Halloween celebration due to Superstorm Sandy did not win but at least I lost to my own company.

Deserving the honor was the episode of Townsquare’s “Ask the Governor” in which Governor Christie addressed New Jersey residents during the storm.

The sudden death of  James Gandolfini has many waxing poetic about the New Jersey born and bred actor who will forever be known for his portrayal of mob boss Tony Soprano in The Sopranos during a six-year run that ended in 2007.

Gandolfini graduated from Park Ridge High School and later Rutgers University and his death means I will never be able to find out for sure that he worked briefly for my father on the Seaside Heights boardwalk as a teenager.

An actor I know had a conversation with Gandolfini many years ago which led us both to believe that might have been the case.  The 51-year old spent considerable summer time at the shore and was a frequent visitor to the Crab’s Claw Inn in Lavallette.

Brick Green Dragons foorball team
Brick Green Dragons foorball team (YouTube)
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Rob Dahl will remain the head football coach at Brick Township High School after a tumultuous couple of days during which he resigned and later rescinded that resignation.  Dahl told me last night he was overwhelmed with the support he received after informing the team’s captains Monday night he was stepping down after two seasons for personal reasons.

Dahl spoke with many, including his wife and other coaches and was touched by their words of encouragement for him to remain coaching at his alma mater.  Count me among those happy he has changed his mind.

 

While I was away briefly a couple of high school basketball coaching vacancies were filled.  Longtime assistant Jim Dempsey is elevated to head coach at Toms River East and Patrick Ramsay takes over at Howell High School after spending the last few seasons as an assistant at Central.  His brother Ryan is the head coach at Manchester Township High School.

 

Postponed from last week the Shore Baseball Coaches Senior All-Star game will be played tonight at FirstEnergy Park.  Game time is 7pm with a home run derby to be held at 5:30.

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