Tag Archives: Long Island

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. The Adventures of Penny Patterson, the title of the comedy, sci-fi short film, flashes over a high school hallway lined with lockers at the start of the woman directed film, at LIIFE 2018, the Long Island International Film Expo. (© 2018 Ann Parry, Ann-Parry.com)

“The Adventures of Penny Patterson” at LIIFE 2018

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
July 25, 2018

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. After final film screenings at LIIFE 2018, the Long Island International Film Expo, filmmakers and actors - including Shara Ashley Zeigler, Stephanie Donnelly, and Ajna Jai - go on stage for Q&A at the Bellmore Movies. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. After final film screenings at LIIFE 2018, filmmakers and actors – including, at center L-R: Shara Ashley Zeigler, Ajna Jai, and Stephanie Donnelly – go on stage for Q&A at Bellmore Movies. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Last summer, a friend told me about The Adventures of Penny Patterson, a short film that tells the origin story of a superhero from an intriguing point of view: his girlfriend. 

The premise of the NYU senior thesis film that Stephanie Donnelly wrote and directed, and the eye-catching poster-in-progress by illustrator Liam Donnelly, stuck with me, so I looked forward to catching the comedy sci-fi this summer when LIIFE 2018, the 21st Annual Long Island International Film Expo, accepted the short film.

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. AJNA JAI, actor playing title character of The Adventures of Penny Patterson, strikes a Penny pose before the film screens at LIIFE 2018, the Long Island International Film Expo at the Bellmore Movies. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. AJNA JAI, actor playing title character of The Adventures of Penny Patterson, strikes a Penny pose before the film screens at LIIFE 2018. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Last Wednesday night, July 18th, when spotting Stephanie Donnelly sitting with family and friends in Bellmore Movies’ vast theater shortly before the screenings began, I asked if Penny Patterson was her alter ego. Stephanie smiled, then said, “Maybe subconsciously.”

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. In The Adventures of Penny Patterson, the title character, played by actor AJNA JAI, calls Steve, her boyfriend and lab partner, who isn't helping with their science fair project. The comedy, sci-fi, screened at LIIFE 2018, the Long Island International Film Expo. (© Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. In The Adventures of Penny Patterson, the title character, played by actor AJNA JAI, calls Steve, her boyfriend and lab partner, who isn’t helping with their science fair project. The comedy, sci-fi, screened at LIIFE 2018. (© Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Penny’s a high school student who needs to win the science fair to earn a college scholarship, but Steve, her boyfriend and lab partner, suddenly stops doing his share of the work.

Steve also doesn’t share with Penny how he turned into a superhero overnight and is trying to keep her and their town safe.

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. During screening at LIIFE 2018, the Long Island International Film Expo, the end credits for The Adventures of Penny Patterson use illustrations by artist Liam Donnelly, the short film's Executive Producer. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. During screening at LIIFE 2018, the Long Island International Film Expo, the end credits for The Adventures of Penny Patterson use illustrations by artist Liam Donnelly, the short film’s Executive Producer. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Though pushed in more ways than one, Penny turns out to be no pushover.

Q&A

After the final screening, many filmmakers and actors – including Shara Ashley Zeigler, producer and writer of the funny, touching film Joe; Bethany Nicole Taylor, lead actress in Joe; Stephanie Donnelly; and Ajna Jai, who plays the title character in The Adventures of Penny Patterson – participated in a Q&A. 

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. L-R, STEPHANIE DONNELLY, director and writer of short film The Adventures of Penny Patterson; AJNA JAI, actor playing Penny Patterson; BETHANY NICOLE TAYLOR, lead actress in short film Joe; and SHARA ASHLEY ZEIGER, producer and writer of film Joe, get together after final screenings at LIIFE 2018, the Long Island International Film Expo. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. L-R, Sephanie Donnelly, director and writer of short film The Adventures of Penny Patterson; AJNA JAI, actor playing Penny Patterson; Bethany Nicole Taylor, lead actress in short film Joe; and Shara Ashley Zeigler, producer and writer of film Joe, get together after final screenings at LIIFE 2018. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

The Adventures of….

It was a late Wednesday night at LIIFE, and the next day Stephanie Donnelly flew to California for the San Diego Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival, CCI-IFF 2018, where The Adventures of Penny Patterson screened that Saturday morning. 

Adventures of Penny Patterson, and STEPHANIE DONNELLY, director and writer of the short film, pose before the movie screens during LIIFE 2018, the Long Island International Film Expo. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 18, 2018. Ajna Jai, actor playing title character of The Adventures of Penny Patterson, and Stephanie Donnelly, director and writer of the short film, pose before movie screens during LIIFE 2018. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com

Penny Patterson at LIIFE 2018:  PHOTO GALLERY

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Merrick, New York, USA. May 3, 2018. Francine Goldstein poses with one of many appreciation trophies she's received from AIDS WALK NEW YORK, a fundraising walk and run in Central Park.

AIDS Walk NY: Francine Goldstein’s 600K Marathon

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
May 4, 2018

A very caring, very determined FRANCINE GOLDSTEIN needs your help reaching her goal of $600,000 in total donations over the 30 years – yes, 30 years – she’s walked the walk for AIDS WALK NEW YORK.

Merrick, New York, USA. May 3, 2018. Francine Goldstein looks forward to her 30th year of participating in AIDS WALK NEW YORK, a fundraising walk and run in Central Park on May 20, 2018. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Merrick, New York, USA. May 3, 2018. FRANCINE GOLDSTEIN embraces the challenge of having a successful 30th year of fundraising for AIDS WALK NEW YORK. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

AIDS WALK NY 2018: Francine’s Donation Page

Thirty years ago, Francine’s closest friend was diagnosed with AIDS and lived about only 30 months longer. As Francine and her husband visited her during those painful months, they saw how GMHC – Gay Men’s Health Crisis organization – was the one source of help. She promised her friend to do everything possible, so no one else would have to suffer that way, and ever since then Francine’s kept her promise. 

Merrick, New York, USA. May 3, 2018. Francine Goldstein looks forward to her 30th year of participating in AIDS WALK NEW YORK, a fundraising walk and run in Central Park on May 20, 2018. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Merrick, New York, USA. May 3, 2018. Francine Goldstein looks forward to her 30th year of walking in AIDS WALK NEW YORK. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

AIDS WALK NEW YORK is famously the world’s biggest single-day fundraiser for AIDS, and over the years our family has known Francine, I’ve seen first hand it’s always the right month, the right day, the right time and place for her to ask someone to sponsor her. She’s seriously dedicated to raise funds to help – through GMHC’s prevention, care and advocacy programs –  thousands of people affected by the disease in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

A quarter century ago, AIDS touched my family. Touched? It slammed, smashed and destroyed someone I grew up with and loved and wordlessly expected would be around – would BE – for so many more days and decades. It’s a big reason I’ve joined countless others cheering Francine on.

Merrick, New York, USA. May 3, 2018. FRANCINE GOLDSTEIN holds special poster AIDS WALK NEW YORK created for her. At top of poster is photo of Sen. JOHN E. BROOKS presenting her with NYS Senate Liberty Award. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Merrick, New York, USA. May 3, 2018.Francine Goldstein holds special poster AIDS WALK NEW YORK created for her. At top of poster is photo of Sen. JOHN E. BROOKS presenting her with NYS Senate Liberty Award. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

May 20th, the day of the walk, is a couple of weeks away, and Francine’s about $15,000 away from raising $600,000. For 30 years and counting, she’s been running a marathon, and her white and red race shirt says: “AIDS WALK NEW YORK • GMHC END AIDS. LIVE LIFE.”

UPDATE: May 13, 2018:  Francine’s about $9,600 away from her goal, and AIDS WALK 2018 is a week away.

AIDS WALK NY 2018: Francine Goldstein’s Donation Page

Francine Goldstein:  my PHOTO GALLERY

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Steve Israel Brings Out His BIG GUNS on Long Island

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
April 22, 2018

Rep. STEVE ISRAEL – the former N.Y. Congressman now on his second literary campaign – packed Turn of the Corkscrew Books & Wine last Friday night when his new novel “Big Guns” made its Nassau County debut at the neighborhood book store/cafe bar in Rockville Centre.

Rockville Centre, New York, USA. April 20, 2018. R-L, Author STEVE ISRAEL and Moderator RITA KESTENBAUM hold Israel’s newest novel BIG GUNS at special event for the former Congressman’s book at Turn of the Corkscrew Books & Wine. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Rockville Centre, New York, USA. April 20, 2018. R-L, Author STEVE ISRAEL and Moderator RITA KESTENBAUM hold Israel’s newest novel BIG GUNS at event for former Congressman’s book. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

“Big Guns” is a satire about America’s 800-rounds-gorilla gun lobby, a feckless Congress, and the small fictional town of Asabogue on Long Island’s East End. 

Rockville Centre, NY, USA. April 201, 2018. L-R, Rep. STEVE ISRAEL and Hempstead Town Supervisor LAURA GILLEN pose for photo at special event for Nassau County debut of the former Congressman's (NY - Dem) newest novel BIG GUNS - a satire of the strong gun lobby, weak Congress, and a small Long Island town. Event was held at Turn of the Corkscrew Books & Wine store. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Rockville Centre, NY, USA. April 201, 2018. L-R, Rep. STEVE ISRAEL and Hempstead Town Supervisor LAURA GILLEN pose for photo at special event for Nassau County debut of the former Congressman’s (NY – Dem) newest novel BIG GUNS – a satire of the strong gun lobby, weak Congress, and a small Long Island town. Event was held at Turn of the Corkscrew Books & Wine store. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Moderator RITA KESTENBAUM – a gun-control activist, non-profit founder, and former Hempstead Town Councilwoman whose daughter was senselessly shot to death while away at college – introduced Israel after brief words from a couple of local officials, including Hempstead Town Supervisor LAURA GILLEN who told how, early in her legal career, she quit after her first day on a job when she learned the NRA was a major client of the firm.

Rockville Centre, NY, USA. April 201, 2018. Sitting facing audience, Rep. STEVE ISRAEL speaks at event for the former Congressman's newest novel BIG GUNS, at Turn of the Corkscrew Books & Wine. Left of Israel is Moderator RITA KESTENBAUM. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Rockville Centre, NY, USA. April 201, 2018. Sitting facing audience, STEVE ISRAEL speaks at event for the former Congressman’s newest novel BIG GUNS, at Turn of the Corkscrew Books & Wine. Left of Israel is Moderator RITA KESTENBAUM. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

With the sharp insight and wit noted in reviews of “Big Guns” and his debut novel “The Global War on Morris,” Israel shared details of his writing process and general experiences with fellow Congress members, especially while in the privacy of the Senate elevator, that helped shape the novel Congress. 

The first time I covered this event’s author and moderator together was a 2016 Panel on Preventing Gun Violence that then-Congressman Israel co-hosted with Hillary Clinton in Port Washington, with Rita Kestenbaum as one of five panelists who lost a family member due to gun violence.

Friday night, when asked if he saw a chance for more effective gun-control laws, Steve Israel mentioned – with fettered optimism I happen to share – the social media savvy Never Again movement created by teen survivors of February’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High mass shooting. 

Rockville Centre, New York, USA. April 201, 2018. Rep. STEVE ISRAEL signs book for a fan at special event for the former Congressman's newest novel BIG GUNS, at Turn of the Corkscrew Books & Wine store. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Rockville Centre, New York, USA. April 201, 2018. STEVE ISRAEL signs book for a fan at special event for the former Congressman’s newest novel BIG GUNS. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

After the Q&A, Israel signed copies of his book, with the line of “Big Guns” toting fans trailing into the bar in the next room.

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Related posts:

    • 2018/08: Gov. Cuomo Endorses Liuba Grechen Shirley for Congress
    • 2018/03: Bellmore-Merrick Students Walkout to Protest Gun Violence: Déjà Vu
    • 2016/04: Hillary Clinton Panel on Gun Violence Prevention, Port Washington