Saturday, April 17, 2021

James M. Viola portfolio

 

Hello! Thanks considering my work. I'm a professional writer with 15 years of published experienced. My articles  have appeared in such places as the Philadelphia Business Journal, Philadelphia Daily News, Metal Injection and WHYY. Below are a few samples ranging from news, press releases and marketing copy. 
- James M Viola

2020 Honda Civic Review / Stream Companies

In the competitive compact car market, the 2020 Honda Civic remains a consistently top-selling and high performing player. Its 2020 incarnation features a subtle redesign in a sleek grill and aerodynamic contours, with dynamic handling and fuel economy to support its sporty looks.


Since 1972, the Civic has been a cornerstone of the Honda brand, a reliable and affordable little car with plenty of pep for the long haul. Its recent upgrades have sacrified a bit of its economic leanings for a more adventurous compact model.

The Civic is available as a sedan, hatchback or coup, each accomodating five passengers with a roomy interior, and many trim and color options. The Civic is powered by a four-cylinder engine and forward wheel drive on all its models, with four powertrains and two transmission options offered. The LS sedan and sport coupe models come with a six-speed transmission, while the remainder include Continuously Varibable Transmission (CVT) for a smooth driving experience.


The 2020 Civic remains a fuel efficient compact car regardless of its model, averaging 25-35 miles per gallon across the board. It comes with a standard three out of five reliability rating from J.D. Power and associates.

The Civic might look like a compact car on the outside, but its storage capabilities can accommodate a vasty array of passenger and lifestyle choices includes 15.1 cubic feet of storage. The sport and sport touring models can fit 22.6 cubic feet of storage, and avails 46.2 cubic feet when the rear seats fold forward. Its hatchback models provides the most storage space of the bunch, with 25.7 cubic feet of room behind the rear seats, which expands to 46.2 cubic feet when they are folded down.


With a price range of
$20,650 to $29,780 – and a plethora of car types and variants to pick from within that spread – the Civic has a slightly higher price point than its compact peers, such as the Toyota Corolloa, Hyundai Elantra or Mazda M3. However, the Civic reaped higher accolades than its competitors. It ranked number one in U.S. News list of best compact cars for 2020, with reviewers citing the Civic's higher grade dashboard materials and more spacious interior as winning factors.

The 2020 Civic also comes in a luxury performance-based Type R, a four-door hatchback available in manual only, at around $37,000. This dazzling speedster looks like an entirely beast from the Civic's humble economy car origins. Those who seek an exhilaring ride will be rewarded with meticulous style and substance, from the futuristic exterior, to its racecar-like cockpit, adorned with black and red leather-seats.

Nearly half a century since its debut, the Honda Civic has evolved into a versatile machine. As one browses through all its configurations, colors and body types, it might feel more like customizing a car in a videogame. The Civic has a long history as a trustworthy compact car - and its 2020 model is no different in that department – but its most potent optimization might be its newfound sense of fun.

Here And Now With Jazz Master Pat Martino / WHYY
67-year-old jazz guitarist Pat Martino lives in the same home his parents raised him in on 16th Street in South Philadelphia. But all of those memories have been erased for Martino, who suffered an aneurysm in 1979. The resulting surgery to save his life removed 60-percent of his temporal lobe, and with it, most recollection of his life to that point. At that time Martino was 35 years old, had already released some 12 albums and toured the world, yet he emerged as a stranger to his own past.

With the help of jazz historian Bill Milkowski, Martino pieced together the forgotten periods of his life in his autobiography “Here and Now”. Martino will appear at the Spiral Bookcase in Manayunk on Sunday, Dec. 11, from 2 to 4 in the afternoon for a book signing. All About Jazz writer Vic Schermer will lead a question and answer session. “It’s about similarities,” says Martino of his autobiography. “It’s about the experiences of being 50 years involved in the arts…and the reemergence of power from a different direction, form an internal source as opposed to an external.”

Martino was born with arterial venous malformation, meaning the blood vessels in his left temporal lobe were entangled. Martino experienced seizures for most of his life, while doctors misdiagnosed his condition as manic depression. When the medication failed to prevent more seizures, Martino says the doctors resorted to even more drastic methods – locked wards and electric shock therapy. Martino endured his anneurysm one weekend in 1979, while he lived in California. The medical intern serving at the hospital where he was delivered gave him two hours to live, as all of the surgeons were gone for the weekend. Martino says he gambled and flew to Philadelphia to be with his family.

“As an only child, we had an interest in each other which was significant enough so to gamble and improvise and find my way back into their arms,” says Martino. “It’s similar to the very thing that takes place in performance as an instrumentalist, to take a chance and gamble with the harmony that coalesces from the harmony and rapport.”

After all, Martino says he originally learned guitar out of admiration for his father, a tailor by trade who listened to classic jazz records and encouraged his son to earn a living with the instrument. When the surgery to repair Martino’s aneurysm cleared his memory, Martino once again picked up the guitar to cope with his depression. He had no desire to learn at first, but Martino says his innate ability to play quickly resurfaced.

“My father’s deep desire for me to accomplish being a well-known professional guitarist all my life is something I’ve absorbed from childhood,” says Martino. “What I learned in the recovery process was how much I really cared for my dad. That was very much the canvas for the painting of our affair.”


Car Dealers Left In The Lurch 
Cover story for the Philadelphia Business Journal 

Business will go on for Gegnas Chrysler Jeep in Kensington, but no longer as a Chrysler dealer. Gegnas' business is one of 11 dealers in the area that will cease operations under Chrysler following the automotive giant's devision to cut 789 dealers on May 14.

“I wouldn't ever touch another domestic,” said Don Bragg, owner and general manager of Gegnas. Bragg, like many dealers that have received rejection notices from Chrysler, is moving ahead a pre-owned dealer until he finds another suitable brand to sell, most likely an export. As many as 20 General Motors Dealers received similar notices, although those dealers will get more time to make the transition.

“They send me special tools that I don't even use, but they bill me right away for them,” he said. “If they treat dealers like that, do you think they care about their customers?”

Bragg has until June 9 to halt operations as an exclusive Chrysler dealer and liquidate his inventory – including half a million dollars in Chrysler parts that the franchise refuses to buy back.

“We're really under the gun about the time we're given to do this,” Bragg said. “They're not going to allow us to do warranty work under the vehicle after June 9, and any new cars after June 9 we won't be able to sell with the rebates.”

Bragg insisted that his dealership, a 45-year-old business, has always been profitable and loyal to Chrysler. When given the choice a few years back to add another import to his inventory, Bragg said he declined, and chose to continue business as an exclusive Chrysler dealer.

“About 50 percent of the terminated dealers are paired up with another brand already. They have something to fall back on,” Bragg said. General Motors is also trimming down on dealerships. Kevin Mazzucola, executive director of the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia, estimates 20 of the 47 GM dealerships in southeastern Pennsylvania will be discontinuing their dealer agreements with GM, when the contracts expire in October 2010. This represents a 42 percent decline. The association's 2007 economic impact survey concluded area dealerships provide 17,936 jobs, with an average payroll expense of $3.5 million each. For Weathers Dodge in Lima, Delaware County, 87 years of operations, 237 five-star awards from Chrysler, and one of the highest customer loyalty ratings in the nation still failed to percent the dealerships from receiving a rejection notice.

Aqua Pennsylvania to Receive President's Award from the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce for Aqua America

Aqua has learned that it will be honored with the President's Award from the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce at the organization's 125th Anniversary Gala, scheduled for November 18 at the Drexelbrook Events Center in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. Aqua Chairman Nicholas DeBenedictis will accept the award from the company.

Aqua, which is also celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, is being recognized for its decades-long support of the Chamber through financial contributions and volunteerism. Aqua is one five companies selected for the prestigious award from a group of 54 companies that were also considered.

"We are honored to be among those companies chosen for this special honor," said Aqua Chairman Nicholas DeBenedictis. "It's particularly meaningful as we were founded in Delaware County, and are celebrating our own 125th anniversary this year —a year in which we will have invested more than in infrastructure improvements in our ‘home county.'"

Aqua was founded in 1886 by a group of professors as the Springfield Water Company. During that time, the water company has grown to serve a approximately 1.4 million residents in 30 counties throughout Pennsylvania, including about 1 million in southeastern Pennsylvania. The company serves more customers in the Pa. than any other.


Screamer Highway Of Heroes review / MetalInjection.net

Consider the best traits of heavy metal from the late seventies and early eighties. Righteous riffs. Arena-sized party anthems. Triumphant lyrics with sing-along choruses. Screamer nails this equation on
Highway Of Heroes, and it's one of 2019's finest albums.

Metal music today is routinely pushed to its sonic extremes. Highway Of Heroes is a welcome dose of the classic stuff. Their old school approach seems even more revolutionary compared to their grim and guttural contemporaries. Judas Priest and Iron Maiden are bands whose golden aura strengthens with each year. Screamer understand the power of old, but surpass being a convincing facsimile.

The opener "Ride On" kicks off with tight, crash cymbal chokes, accenting a nasty, palmmuted riff. This song sounds like it could be from Judas Priest's discography, circa '77-'82. The clean vocals mostly stay in the mid-range, but launch into dazzling, Rob Halford-esque falsettos for the chorus.

This album might be light on innovation, but if a band is going to sound like another band, it might as well be the greatest heavy metal act on the planet. Screamer's newest also rings of Iron Maiden, The Scorpions, Dio, and Thin Lizzy, without seeming like a blatant rip-off. Highway Of Heroes plays out with a cinematic air. The soaring guitar leads and ground-shaking vocal parts create a pitch-perfect atmosphere.

I thought of leather gloves gripped at the wheel of a 1970 Pontiac Thunderbird, cruising the desert plains on a mission to rock. The title track slithers into one's ear with a slinky, metallic bass line driving the beat. It crescendos into a bright burst of power chords and twangy guitar solos. The "Whoa-oh-oh" gang chorus seems straight out of Def Leppard's book.

"Caught In Lies" concludes the album with a slightly more meditative pace. Rather than end with a bang, its dueling guitar harmonies diminish into the ether, like the tail lights of a muscle car shrinking into the horizon. Put on your aviator shades and buckle up.


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Monday, March 22, 2010

Mexicali, Mexico

Mexicali is a desert city of over a million and is located two hours away from San Diego and Tijuana. It is a harsh and rugged place, as are the lives of many of the people living in Mexicali.
Below are images I photographed when I traveled with members of Los Ninos International, a community development organization operating on both sides of the border.


A boy sells hand-made bracelets at his village for $1. Minimum wage is $5 a day.


































































Some women in Mexicali promote nutrition, employment and education among underserved communities. Below, Los Ninos volunteers see a bee farm created to improve nutrition habits.


Metals and plastics are melted down for their scraps at a cacti farm.


A family of cacti farmers burn metals to sell the scraps next to their vegetable garden, with no way of filtering run-off.

A girl helps Los Ninos volunteers build a cement section for her school.





The owner of a tortilla factory grinds kernels into corn meal.







Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Jason Vu: 14 Years Old and Missing For Over A Month

Watch the video here

Dinner at the Vu residence in Point Breeze is served in traditional Vietnamese style. Plate after plate of rice, fried fish, chicken stew and tripe are placed on newspapers spread over the cherry-stained wood floor. Praying before each meal has gained a painful new meaning for the Vu family. There has been one less member joining them for dinner since Christmas Eve.

Jason Vu, 14, evaporated from sight on the morning of December 24.. His family members describe Jason as a quiet, introverted boy who spent most of his time locked in his room on his computer. He made honor roll at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School and stayed out trouble, but his family said Jason had also shown signs of disturbing behavior since last summer.

“His whole computer screen would be taken up by the Ouija board, Satanism, things about finding new religion,” said Anthony Vu, 16, brother of Jason. “He relates to the occult and thinks he believes in this new religion.”

His family had to remind Jason to break away from his computer to eat meals. Jason refused to eat meat when he joined them, claiming it was poisoned.

“He closed his eyes all the time and said he was psychic, said he could read people’s minds,” said Kim Le, Jason’s mother.

Then Jason expressed his desire to drop out of school, believing everybody would die in 2012 anyway.
“I told him ‘if you die, you'll die a smart boy',” Le said. “Don’t worry about who dies, that’s God’s job.”

His father, Thuan Vu, recalls telling Jason to limit his computer time and socialize with other kids. His son always answered yes to and seemed to listen, Vu said, but it was hard to read such a quiet boy.

Jason’s last meal with his family on December 23 seemed happy enough to his mother. He ate fried chicken with carrots for dinner. It had been one of Jason’s favorites. Then he ran upstairs and fell asleep early, Le said. The next morning he waved good bye to his four-year-old sister, Diamond, and walked out the front door.

“I want Jason to come back,” said Diamond Vu. “I want Jason here now.”

Of the numbers of missing children reported each year in the United States, only seven percent remain missing for over a month, according to a 1999 study by the National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway and Thrownaway Children. But the faith of Kim Le and her family remain unshaken in the face of such odds. They still attend the Vietnamese Mass at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church every Sunday, where a prayer is said for Jason each week.

The Vu family is offering a $10,000 reward to the Citizens Crime Commission for information leading to the Jason Vu’s whereabouts. He is 5-foot-4 inches tall and weighs around 120 pounds. He normally wears glasses and has spiky black hair. People with information on Jason Vu may call 215-456-TIPS. Anonymous sources are protected.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Rebuilding the Monster: An Interview with UFC Champion Kevin Randleman


Kevin Randleman addresses the media after his loss to Stanislav Nedkov at Sengoku 11 0n November 7th in Tokyo.

Despite a 3-7 record of mostly first-round submission and knockout losses over the last five years, Kevin Randleman’s most recent fight against Stanislav Nedkov at Sengoku 11 last November was supposed to be a return to the dangerous wrestler who rightfully earned the nickname “the Monster”. Fans still recall Randleman’s his memorable wars against Randy Couture and Bas Rutten in the UFC, and his highlight-reel displays of overwhelming brute strength fighting in the now-defunct PRIDE FC. Randleman's possessed the cordite-loaded fists to incapacitated dreaded kickboxer Mirko CroCop with a brain-rattling jab-cross combination and the raw power to lift up and flip undefeated heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko facedown in midair and slam him neck-first on the canvas.

Now training training full-time at the Tapout Gym in Las Vegas, and having recently married his girlfriend of six years, Randleman believed he had the discipline, experience, and consistent training partners needed to take out his opponent, Nedkov. Instead, the fight a misdirected grappling session. Randleman briefly showed an improved arsenal—he threw a few low kicks and reversed his opponent's position twice—but his unwillingness to trade strikes and aggressively engage his opponent cost him the judge’s after three rounds. Randleman, however, maintains his optimism and hopes to be in fighting shape by March, and he sees many of entertaining battles in the future as he was acquired by Strikeforce last year.

How has training been since your last fight in November?
I broke my foot. I had some minor injuries. My ribs are a little torn up. I cracked my foot kicking. But I’m plugging away at the Tapout Gym. Bottom line is you can’t take too much time off in this business because your opponent could always be training when you are not.

How did you get involved with your current training spot the Tapout Gym?
I moved out of Ohio six years ago. I started training with Marc Laimon, Joe “Daddy” Stevenson, John Lewis, so I bounced around a little bit. Then injuries would happen and I’d have to take a step back to focus and be healthy. The owner of Tapout Gym owned a gym called Fightclub at the time. It was small, like 17,000 square feet, but it was nice because I got personal time. I had 24 four-minute rounds. Then they got down with Tapout people and it’s a really nice atmosphere. It’s very family-oriented. You have three year-olds come in who try to kick your shins.

Those three years-olds will be a dangerous breed if they stick to training.
Oh yeah. You talk about crazy jiu-jitsu like flying arm bars. Those kids will be so skilled in the future its going to be stupid. The Tapout Gym—4400 Hacienda Street, Las Vegas.


In losing a judge’s decision, why did your last fight again Stanislav go differently than you had planned?
I always think I’m ready [to fight]. The doctors made jokes a long time ago. They said it would be a long time before I was 100-percent ready. I looked like it like I was the monster and I thought I was going to be okay, but I needed more time to rest.

You hardly threw any punches in your last fight? Why was that?
I was apprehensive to throw punches because I didn’t want to rip my shoulders again. A shoulder injury means you’re out 18 months. I’ve had both of my shoulders injured so that is 18 times two. Now I’m to the point where I can finally do military presses over head without pain. It’s the first time in five or six years without pain. In my last fight I was feeling worried and nervous about my shoulders. But I like fighting. We’re going to train, train, train. End of February or March I will be 100-percent ready.

You seemed more comfortable fighting off your back in your last fight. Have you been working on more Jiu-Jitsu?
I got my blue belt [in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu] right before that fight. Blue belt is the hardest belt to get. Everything else comes with it. For me it was exciting. I concentrated more on BJJ and wrestling for that fight. I didn’t spar that much. Now I spar three times a week. My hands are better than everyone elses, anyone whose fought me will tell you how I hit the hardest, but I get apprehensive sometimes and don’t throw them.

Your friend and former Hammerhouse training partner Mark Coleman is fighting Randy Couture at UFC 109 in February. What is your prediction?
If Mark Coleman is in shape, Randy doesn’t make it past first round. Mark has got heavy hands. He’s got country boy strength. He’s got generations of strong country motherfuckers on his side. He’s excited. He’s going to surprise everyone.

If you could fight anyone right now who would it be?
I want to fight Stanislav again so I can knock him out. It really doesn’t matter. I know the organization I am now in [Strikeforce] has Mousasi. Babulu, Mo Lawal, and those are all exciting fighters.

What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned from fighting?
The biggest thing I’ve learned has been patience and calm. Calmness is like a balance. Calmness is not sweating the small stuff. I’ve been knocked down and knocked out in practices and have had my ass whooped. But no one in your fight whoop your ass like in practice.

You said the Japanese fans have made you a better person and a better father in your post-fight press conference at Sengoku 11. What differences do you see between American and Japanese MMA fans?
American MMA fans boo and make you want to cuss them out sometime if a fight is boring. I understand that. We want more for our money. In Japan they understand that there are two guys who have agreed to fight for them. They don’t boo. They clap and they’re quiet. They know submissions can end a fight in a second. They are very aware and very knowledgeable of the sport.

It’s a difference of people. It has everything to do with their culture. And they’re just nice people. Everyone at the conbini stores are just nice and ready to help you. I go to a 7/11 back in the states and this woman at the counter is giving my wife attitude. I said "If you don’t your job you should quit." Bitch, you don’t want me to get an attitude. I got no problem waiting for the police to come. My son is 21-years old and he is studying Japanese to do business over there. I would say that the Japanese have taught me to be patience. I want to sit down and talk things out where as before I had no problems spitting or slapping you in the face.

Who have been the most influential people in your MMA career?
All those young fighters I am watching right now and my wife [influence me]. One young fighter I train with to look out for is Eric Smith. He’s 24-year old who is a big 240-pound kid can get down to 205. He whoops my ass every in practice.

Which fight do you think you learned the most from?
I really didn’t apply myself then [to my old losses]. Now that I’ve been applying myself I’m a dangerous 205 pounder but I just haven’t been pulling the trigger. I’m writing a book right now and I don’t want to get into my past too much but let me just say this--I loved women. If I had two girls in my bed I was not willing to work out. I’m not giving up the two in the bed for the one that might be hiding in the bush. But then I met my wife six years ago and I realized I could have something nice to work for.

Which fight was your hardest opponent?
I don’t go into fights looking for a knockout. I don’t care. I know I can wear out and beat everyone. And if the knockout comes it comes. The Randy Couture fight was one of my favorites. I did everything in my power to beat him, but then I got tired and he had the upper hand to beat me. Nakamura too, there’s just a lot. I know I may not be undefeated but if I had applied myself a lot more in the past but if I would have I would have 11 or 12 more victories.

Before MMA you were one of Ohio State’s most successful wrestlers. Why did you turn to wrestling initially?
I was poor. I didn’t have money. I had a big family. There were no presents during Christmas. Someone had said hey you can get out of this by going to college, so by eight grade I wanted to go to state wrestling championships and win and go to college.

Did wrestling keep you out of trouble?
There was no balance. I was a crazy fuck. I had a real long rap sheet. I was a militant black guy who grew up poor. The wrestling had people on my side because I was always learning good stuff. I was always in the paper doing volunteer work. I gave my time and whenever I got in trouble there were people to vouch for me who had my back.

When did you clean up?
I just met my girl six years ago. Before that I was partying, fucking girls, I had lesbians living with me. I was just, like, fuck it. I was partying, doing drugs, smoking weed, menagie...Then I met this girl and I said this could be a nice life.

Are there any closing comments you have for your fans?
Just hang in there with me. If I get knocked I’m going to get knocked out because I’m leaving it all in there. I might have lost my last two but I expect a streak. I’m working harder, training longer, running more. I’m doing everything right for the first time and I know I’m going to get my goal and get my title. I got to get my technique real good. Perfect practices makes perfect.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Skyscrapers and Bamboo

A collection of photographs from Hakone, a hot spring resort town outside of Tokyo, the Chichibu trail in Saitama, and the Nishi-Shinjuku skyscrapers.


Bamboo Buddha, Hakone


Buddha and Jizo group, Hakone


Cave Statue, Hakone




Statue of Kannon, Bodhisattva of mercy, Hakone






Leaning Bamboo Forrest, Hakone


Orange-Lit Sky Scrapers, Nishi-Shinjuku




Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building, Nishi Shinjuku


3 Kannon Statues in Different Poses, Hakone



Infrastructure, Ebisu

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office, Nishi Shinjuku


Hakone


Wayside Buddhist Statues, Hakone










Exterior of Photography Museum, Ebisu


Windows, Nishi Shinjuku


Night Light, Nishi Shinjuku


Kabuki Restaurant, Ebisu

Tower, Nishi Shinjuku


Metropolitan Government Offices Deco Detail, Nishi Shinjuku


Abandoned Vans, Chichibu Trail

Trees, Chichibu Trail

Clearing, Chichibu Trail

Red Flowers, Chichibu Trail

Caligraphy Monk, Ueno Koen

Cemetery Flower, Azabu Juban

Noon, Chichibu Trail

Burning Gingko Tree, Chichibu Trail

No Entry, Chichibu Trail