WHUD listener Alice Bauer of Mahopac is a huge Josh Groban fan and a two-time cancer survivor...so when she posted on my Facebook feed about wanting to get a picture with Josh, I figured the best approach was just ask Josh himself, which I did when I talked to him last Thursday just before his Bethel Woods show this past Sunday.

I didn't mention it all on Friday's show because nothing was certain at that time. 

But Saturday morning....there is was...an email from Josh's assistant Sydney asking for Alice's contact information.

That's when I let Alice know what I was trying to do. At that point Alice didn't tell her concert mate Evelyn so as to surprise her Sunday at 7!

Then I got the email with all the details including having to check in at 3pm! So now Evelyn asked why are we leaving Mahopac at 1 for a concert at 7? When all was said and done...Alice texted me from Bethel that she had her meet & greet pass. An hour later, her picture with Josh!

Glad to have played a part on making this happen! A unique experience that only 100.7 WHUD can provide!   

A motion-activated camera set up by local scientist, RJ Hawkins, and monitored by The Wildlife Conservation Society captured the otter.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Wildlife Conservation Society (@thewcs)

Poor habitat conservation and pollution have reportedly been to blame for the North American river otter's disappearance from New York City, according to NewYorkers/Instagram, so it must have been a strange yet welcome site to spot the aquatic mammals back in the waters off Manhattan.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by New Yorkers (@newyorkers)

I LOVE otters! I know they're probably not as friendly as they look but I always wanted to swim with them, lol. I mean, come on, look how cute!

(Dusan veverkolog/Unsplash)

Hey! Can we use him or her to predict the coming of spring instead of Punxatawney Phil next February 2nd? Maybe he'll be more accurate, lol.

Here's to hoping this isn't the one and only river otter the area will see and that the population will grow.

He joined me this morning to talk about the history of QVC and you can listen o his comments on the morning show page right here at WHUD.com!

I always joke that my wife, who's a huge fan of QVC, doesn't order something in a 24 hour period, they call the house to make sure she's okay! LOL 

Matchbox Twenty frontman Rob Thomas and their guitar player Paul Doucette have been bandmates since 1995. But their friendship got tested during an August 16th performance in Springfield, Illinois when Rob, while swinging his microphone stand, made contact with Paul's head! 

Thomas, though, was oblivious to the accident as Doucette stumbled off stage clearly starry-eyed from the blow to his head.

Check out video of the incident posted by armstrongpatton/Instagram.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Troy ArmstrongPatton (@armstrongpatton)

Before the end of the band's gig Rob apologized that his signature move caused Paul to be injured.

Later, in video posted to Rob's Instagram, Paul shows how he is having pieces of his ear bud removed with tweezers because it got impacted after being hit with the stand.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Rob T (@robthomas)

Both seem to have a good attitude about the mishap and chalk it up to the hazards of being rock stars.

I first spoke to her when she was 15 and starring in a TV movie...I watched it before we spoke and was very impressed at her acting ability and told her so a few days later when I interviewed her. You can hear highlights of that interview on the Morning Show page here on WHUD.com

A few years later she rose to international stardom as Claire Bennet...the cheerleader on NBC's "Heroes". Of course this Bennett took notice!

After that it was the ABC series "Nashville" where she showed off his singing ability.

That was when I interviewed her again and she recalled growing up in Palisades Rockland County and when I asked if she listened for my school closing announcements...she said yes but I believe she was was just being polite.

I got her to record a greeting for our listeners after forgetting to get it done during the fist interview. She did it and then I told her that I had instituted what I called the "Hayden Panettiere Rule"...she said WHAT is that?

I said I make everybody record a greeting even if they aren't a household name at the time...because I failed to do that with Hayden and she became a BIG star. She laughed.

Now at age 36 she is gone which is very hard to comprehend but the Hayden Panettiere rule will live on and I'll happily explain it to all the "celebrities" I'll interview from now on :(

Before matches, attendees can reportedly reserve their own 90-minute court session. Could you imagine playing tennis inside one of a beautiful, bougie hotel? It's the epitome of elegance and class.

According to uppereastside/Instagram, tickets reportedly start at $1,500 each, but a portion of the proceeds will benefit Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by UPPER EAST SIDE (@uppereastside)

If you're a major tennis junkie and can spare the change, this is a one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Friendly and funny, Aaron Boone gave diehard Yankees fans a great experience. And he personally signed baseballs and 8 X 10 photos of himself so everyone went home with a souvenir! Now if the Yankees somehow win the World Series, how valuable would that be!

Rick let me ask Boone a question and the manger laughed! Mission accomplished

Now Super Troopers 3 hits heaters this weekend...so go see what the boys are up to and then be listening Monday morning when I talk to star Kevin Heffernan and director Jay Chandrasekhar!

Now he's in the Marvel Cinematic Universe playing "Scorpion" in the #1 movie in the world, Spiderman: Brand New Day!

On August 25th, the new animated Batman:Knightfall part 1 is being released!

Listen to him discuss both roles on the Mike Bennett in the Morning Show page at WHUD.com...

(Jon Tyson/Unsplash)

• Asteroids
• Adventure
• Berzerk
• Breakout
• Centipede
• Crystal Castles
• Millipede
• Missile Command
• Pong
• Yars’ Revenge

I have a hard time remembering a few of these games and I'm a child of the 80s! Which of these video games do you think has the best chance of success at the box office as a film? I'm going with Asteroids and Crystal Castles.

And next Monday evening he'll add to that ever-growing list of duties by hosting a night with  "Aaron Boone" at the Villa Borghese in Wappingers Falls!

Zolz will join me at 6:15 & 8:15 Tuesday morning to give my listeners the inside scoop on how the event will work!

Get tickets through this link: https://www.whud.com/night-with-aaron-boone/

! 

She's been a correspondent for the USA Network, AMC, Food Network, Fox Sports, Nat Geo, the Travel Channel and now DISCOVERY!

Kinga was born in Warsaw Poland into a family of adventurers and she's lived up that legacy!

Well my family does and I can tell you it was so much fun watching the grandkids opening their "Secret Santa" presents that they bought for each other! The trick is to keep their purchases a secret while they're all shopping together.

The pool was open and in full use unlike the real Christmas in December when it's more likely to be snow covered

Let me know your Christmas in July stories at mike@whud.com

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FIFA is officially selling about a brownie-size piece of turf to soccer fans who want a souvenir from the sporting event, according to CBS New York.

(evolvita/Instagram)

Spain won the championship, defeating Argentina 1-0 on July 19.

The turf certainly represents a piece of soccer history. Is it one you'd shell out hundreds of dollars to own?

Mike: Bingeing Agency season 2...nice work.. Great to have interviewed you...best of luck ...you have a bright future ahead!

Keanush: Thank you Mike, I really appreciate that! Thanks again for having me on

I hope he remembers this when he's a major star and I reach out for another chat!

Highlights of the interview air Friday morning on 100.7 WHUD!

I'd love to hear your comments on "The Agency" at mike@whud.com

I immediately ordered 7 pairs for my 7 grandkids and boy they've been a hit.

I had to order more for my wife. daughter and 2 daughters-in-law. Mad Mia socks get rave reviews from classmates and others who love all the variety of characters that you can choose from!

Sinclaire Bennett loves the Harry Potter socks &  sister Charlotte Bennett feels the same way about her Disney Princess socks! 

Instead of using helicopters to try to force warmer air down to the orchards, Dave set controlled fires near his peach trees and used giant fans to push the warmer air toward his crops. 

While there's a lack of local peaches elsewhere, DuBois has all you need...some two thousand trees full of ripe peaches like the one he gave me this morning!

According to the researchers at BabyCenter, new data shows that after decades of shrinking name lengths parents-to-be are headed in the opposite direction when deciding what to call their baby. Longer names are reportedly even trendier among GenBeta parents.

Looking at BabyCenter's most recent analysis of the top 100 baby names, here are the 12 girl and 12 boy names trending the hottest in New York.

(Luma Pimentel/Unsplash)

For a Girl:

• Amelia
• Catalina
• Cordelia
• Clementine
• Eleanor
• Eliana
• Evelyn
• Gianna
• Isabella
• Josephine
• Penelope
• Serenity

For a Boy:

• Alexander
• Augustine
• Benicio
• Callahan
• Elias
• Evander
• Julian
• Maximo
• Sebastian
• Sullivan
• Theodore
• Vincenzo

(Sandeep Kashyap/Unsplash)

We hope those names provide some inspo for you if YOU'RE expecting soon!

While I was getting the winner's info off the air, he casually mentioned his daughter Caroline was going to love seeing world-renowned violinist Lindsey Sterling at Bethel Woods.

But then I saw a post from Caroline's mom who mentioned how Caroline had used Lindsey's skills as inspiration to improve her own.

It was then that I decided to pass along the mom's Facebook post to Lindsey's record label rep...yet another Mike. I asked if we could surprise young Caroline with a meet & greet with Lindsey after her performance! 

A day later, word came back that Lindsey's manager Dani said YES. 

I didn't mention it on the air prior to Friday night's performance for fear that Caroline would hear about the surprise. I also knew from experience that sometimes plans are cancelled for whatever reason.

But then came word and photos on Saturday morning confirming that the meet HAD taken place backstage at Bethel Woods! And Caroline's mom wrote these words..."Thank you #MikeBennett at WHUD, for giving my daughter a night she’ll remember for the rest of her life. Lindsey Stirling lit up the stage at Bethel Woods, and my daughter was instantly captivated — recording every second, completely in awe of Lindsey’s violin skills, her acrobatics, her dancing, her voice, her energy.....and then came the moment she’ll never forget: she actually got to meet Lindsey after the show. Watching my daughter talk to the musician who inspired her so deeply this past school year was overwhelming in the best way. This was more than a concert. It was an unbelievable blessing."

Glad I could play small part in making this happen! All it took was 3 guys named Mike!

She still gets back home and in fact she told me she just rode the Dragon Coaster at Playland! 

With roles on "How I Met Your Mother", "Psych" and the "Jim Gaffigan Show"...now she's heavily involved in multiple programs on the Hallmark Channel.

A delight to talk to... I hope I got another chance to chat!

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via cdc.gov)

According to localizefood.app on Instagram, 20 people have been hospitalized so far due to contracting C. cayatenensis, and that number is rising with spikes in Texas and Illinois. The parasite, traced to raw produce and water that has been contaminated by feces, can bring on symptoms including loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, abdominal cramps, nausea/vomiting, body aches, low-grade fever and, most notably, prolonged watery stool.

(Giorgio Trovato/Unsplash)

CDC.gov states that Cyclospora cayatanensis clings to crevices of produce and is resistant to standard chemical disinfectant. So, what can you do to AVOID contracting this microscopic parasite? Here are six suggestions.

Wash Produce Thoroughly

(Louis Hansel/Unsplash)

Scrub Firm Produce with a Produce Brush

(-Kenny/Unsplash)

Wash Your Hands for at Least 20 Seconds

(Melissa Jeanty/Unsplash)

Cut Away Bruised Patches

(K8/Unsplash)

Refrigerate Cleaned Produce with 2 Hours

(Ello/Unsplash)

Heat or Boil Produce to Kill the Parasite

(Michal Balog/Unsplash)

*Side Note: CDC.gov advises that even produce labeled as 'pre-washed', like some pre-packaged lettuces and other greens, be placed under running water. Hard-skinned fruits and veggies like apples and avocado should be washed with soap and water.

FYI, should you experience any of the symptoms listed above, seek medical attention. The presence of Cyclospora organisms or DNA of the parasite can reportedly be tested for via a stool sample.

For more information regarding the C. cayatanensis parasite visit CDC.gov.

Playing her violin while dancing up a storm is what excites her fans and although she told me she's tired because she just finished rehearsals for this tour....she'll be well rested and rarin' to go on Friday night!

I really enjoyed talking to her because she gives, thoughtful, complete and honest answers. She's an interviewer's dream guest!

Listen this week for interview highlights and tickets!

Hear a preview of the show on MY show Thursday morning at 6:15 & 8:15 when bass player and last original member, Robert "Kool" Bell joins me!

And of course their hit "Celebration" is what I do every weekday morning at 7:45 on 100.7 WHUD! 

Just be caller #7 to 845-713-1007 and you'll be a winner!

My 3 children and I really enjoyed the Log Flume ride back in the 90's! I hope it re-opens this season!

Email your Playland memories:

mike@whud.com

And the winner was Kevin who just moved to Washingtonville from the Bronx! What a welcome to the Hudson Valley!

That's Kevin, his wife Janine and daughters Olivia and Seraphina. And that's a real LOCAL family...not an AI or stock photo from "central casting".

We all wish them the best on their trip to Orlando courtesy of Disney Records!

Stay tuned your favorite LOCAL radio station (100.7 WHUD is MY favorite) because we always have great family prizes!

Comments: email mike@whud.com

Best of all the films are free to attend and get rolling at 8 p.m. However, it's recommended that you get there around 5 p.m. to snag a seat before the park fills up! There will be food trucks on site as well as a bar tent serving seasonal cocktails.

Below is Bryant Park's schedule of free films this summer, in partnership with Paramount+.

July 13th 'Wayne's World' (1992)

(Paramount Pictures via iMDb)

July 20th 'Good Morning, Vietnam!' (1987)

(Touchstone Pictures via iMDb))

July 27th 'The Truman Show' (1998)

(Paramount Pictures via iMDb)

August 3rd 'Bridget Jones's Diary' (2001)

(Miramax/Universal Pictures via iMDb)

August 10th 'Catch Me If You Can' (2002)

(Dreamworks, LLC via iMDb)

August 17th 'City of God' (2002)

(O2 Films via iMDb)

August 24th 'King Creole' (1958)

(Paramount Pictures iMDb)

August 31st 'No Country for Old Men' (2007)

(Paramount Vantage iMDb)

September 7th 'Galaxy Quest' (1999)

(Paramount Pictures via iMDb)

September 14th 'Shakespeare in Love' (1998)

(Miramax via iMDb)

Bryant Park is located in the heart of Manhattan between 40th and 42nd Streets and between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.

I hope all is well! I wanted to follow up and share a recap of AVE Hamilton Green's PAWsome campaign in White Plains, which benefited SNARR Northeast in support of National Pet Month.

Now that the initiative has wrapped, AVE Hamilton Green collected 393 donated items, filling approximately 15 donation boxes for SNARR Northeast. The campaign also resulted in 2 pet leases signed

The campaign helped generate meaningful support for SNARR Northeast, following the Paws on the Green adoption event, where nearly all of the puppies found their forever homes.

Kudos to all involved in this grassroots campaign!

We Brooklyn boys have to stick together so go see Tony Danza in person...worth the trip from anywhere!

I'd love to read your comments...shoot me an email : mike@whud.com

(Eric Gay/Pool Photo via Imagn Images; REUTERS)

For Game 3, they'll be back on their home court at Madison Square Garden. The sidelines are bound to be star studded. But lets take a look back at nine celebrities who were courtside the last time the Knicks made it this far back in 1999.

Boxer Evander Holyfield

(Chuck Cook/USA TODAY Sports via REUTERS)

Actor/Director Ben Stiller

(REUTERS/Adam Gray)

Actor James Caan

(REUTERS/Fred Thornhill)

Actor Adam Sandler

(David Gonzales/Imagn Images via REUTERS)

Actor Billy Crystal

(REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci)

Director Woody Allen

(REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane)

Director Spike Lee

(Imagn Images via REUTERS)

Golfer Tiger Woods

(Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images via REUTERS)

John F. Kennedy, Jr.

(REUTERS)

Check out some video below of the 1999 New York Knicks NBA Finals sideline courtesy of Bleacher Report on YouTube.

Go Knicks! 

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Smitha Karuthedom to the position of Medical Director of Helen Hayes Hospital's Skilled Nursing Facility and Transitional Care Unit! Dr. Karuthedom brings over a decade of experience as a board-certified provider of internal medicine and clinical leader to stewarding the hospital's subacute rehabilitation programs.

Dr. Karuthedom joins us from Montefiore Nyack Hospital where she served as Associate Medical Director of the hospital's physician group. Her commitment to fostering clinical excellence and innovation strongly supports our mission of advancing mobility and independence for all.