Pipers' Pub Night

Union County Police and Fire Pipes and Drums Celebrate 5th Anniversary

Jim Lowney Photo

Band Hosting Annual Pub Night, Sept. 9

Union County, NJ—The Union County Police and Fire Pipes and Drums band will celebrate their 5th anniversary with their annual “Pub Night” event on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 7:30 p.m. at Roselle Catholic High School in Roselle.

The bagpipe band, one of the largest in New Jersey, will honor Township of Union Fire Chief Frederic Fretz for his continued support of the band.

“We are excited about celebrating our fifth year as we continue to grow stronger as a band,” said Pipe Major Ed Donnelly. “It also is a great opportunity to thank and honor Chief Fretz for all he has done in support of the band. We invite everyone to join us for what is always a great night.”

The band’s “Pub Night” will be a celebration of Celtic music with a powerful performance by the Union County Police and Fire Pipes and Drums and the passionate sounds of Gael Force playing Irish classics with their own rock arrangements. For more information about one of the most unique groups on the New York Irish music scene please visit www.gaelforceny.com.

During the evening, there also will be a memorial ceremony to remember and honor fallen police officers and firefighters as the 5th anniversary of the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 approaches.

“Pub Night” tickets cost $20.00 and include food, beer, wine, soda and door prizes. The event on Sept. 9 begins at 7:30 p.m. at Roselle Catholic High School located at 1 Raritan Road in Roselle, NJ 07203.

For tickets and more information, please contact Joe Dooley at 908-925-3936 or Ed Donnelly at 908-296-6797. To learn more about Union County Police and Fire Pipes and Drums please visit www.hosesnholsters.com.

A Beautiful Gravestone I Didn't Know

Sunny in Philly

Bukowski would have loved Oscar's. Or maybe it was his Henry Chinaski who would have loved the joint. Either way, the lovely Jen and I found ourselves enjoying the bar unchanged since before I was born and Tom Waits on a juke box that froze about 1989. If you ever find yourself in Philly, around Samson and 15th, stop in for a shot and a beer and a smoke and smile.

Jim Lowney Photo

Jim Lowney Photo

Jim Lowney Photo

And there was no shortage of stops for Bloody Marys the next afternoon.

Jim Lowney Photo

The Great Budapest Novel

Old pal Adam LeBor, the Budapest-based author and journalist, has finally released his Budapest novel to the public. You can get it online for only five quid.

Budapest, winter 1944. A city under siege. As the Russians advance, Miklos Farkas risks death to break out of the ghetto to find food for his wife. But when Miklos stumbles upon a horrifying secret he knows his knowledge must stay hidden for decades if he is to stay alive.

Sixty years later his grandson Alex begins to unravel a sinister conspiracy rooted in the dying days of the Third Reich. Alex is soon drawn deeper into a deadly web of intrigue and power play, a game played for the highest stakes: the very future of Europe. He too must battle his own demons as he uncovers a shadowy alliance that the world once thought had been defeated for good.

Powerful, controversial and thought-provoking, Night Hotel is a journey into Europe's hidden heart of darkness...

Posted by Jim at 05:36 PM