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The Other Side opening April 27! (Oh and Jimmy Kimmel joked about it last night!)

Hi friends and family!!

I can honestly say that I have never written a story that has gone on to become a joke on late night TV!!!

I think I have finally written something that people care about! Please visit ChicagoNow and read my Bittersweet post today. (link below)

The story of how these young men came together, through the defeat of their drug addictions and alcoholism, is so cool, encouraging and hopeful. It’s actually quite refreshing.

And their efforts are so heroic I’d say, when you think how we live in such a sad time, when day after day, we hear of yet another young person dying from a heroine overdose, or going to jail because of something to do with drugs. Stories of kids – my kids, your kids, our kids- causing irreversible life-long damage to themselves is all-too common.

These guys somehow beat the odds and their new sober club opens April 27 in Crystal Lake.

Parents love them and the town supports them. They have gotten tremendous press coverage, and oh, did I mention Jimmy Kimmel joked about the club last night on his show!

There is a wall in their club dedicated to friends they have lost in recent months to drug overdoses. They keep their photos up as a reminder of what their true altruistic purpose is in this life.

Please visit Bittersweet and read about how it all began. Please let me know you visited, like, comment and share! It is worth your time to read how these guys did what they are doing!

http://www.chicagonow.com/bittersweet/2013/04/the-other-side-truly-chicagos-very-own-story-of-addiction-recovery-and-friendship-oh-and-jimmy-kimmel-talked-about-it-last-night-here-is-how-it-all-began/

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Boston Marathon heroes: This is why I write

Good Morning America and all of the other news outlets are reporting this morning that while there were first responders on the scene of the Boston Marathon for unrelated reasons, not knowing that there would be some evil-doer setting off explosions- who jumped into action, “regular folks” also shined as super heroes.

The latest stats – “3 dead, 145 injured, 15 critical” the youngest death: Martin Richard, 8 years old. His dad had just crossed the finish line, hugged him and walked away. Moments later, the boy is dead.  I’m so sorry sweet boy.

Please visit Bittersweet and read today’s post.    http://www.chicagonow.com/bittersweet/2013/04/thats-what-americans-do/

I appreciate your comments and insight on this, yet another heartless, senseless, evil, purposeful tragedy.

Until next time …..

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Boston Marathon finish line

Dear friends, family and followers:

The community manager over at ChicagoNow suggested we address this tragedy at the Boston Marathon today.

I have very few words to say, only confusion and questions.

Though I do not feel my words or thoughts carry any importance today.

Read and share if you like. Link below… Until next time…..

http://www.chicagonow.com/bittersweet/2013/04/boston-marathon-explosion/

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Learning lessons, breaking free from our prisons

Hi friends, family and followers:

This morning I wrote over at ChicagoNow Bittersweet.com about lessons to be learned from our “prisons.”

In life we will all find ourselves in prisons of all kinds -physical, emotional, mental, relational.

I believe there are lessons to be learned and reasons we are all dealing with all that we deal with.

I heard a message this weekend that helps make a little sense of it all.

Please click on link below and let me know you visited. I value your comments and feedback.

http://www.chicagonow.com/bittersweet/2013/04/breaking-free-from-our-prisons/

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Time passages

Hi family, friends and followers:

Please click on link below and visit me over at Bittersweet on ChicagoNow. I shared a post on a few things rambling through my head today about love, loss and time. I know it sounds sad and depressing, but I don’t mean it to.

I just want answers and I have these thoughts, and I want to hear your thoughts as well…I think we all need to stop and think about these things sometimes. After all, life is Bittersweet! We are all in this together!!

http://www.chicagonow.com/bittersweet/2013/04/time-marches-too-quick-too-slow/

Please click like, follow, share, sign in with your email here and on Bittersweet so I can track who has visited.

Until next time……

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Family’s reaction to conviction in decade-old cold-case with no body

Dear family, friends and followers:

I wrote a story in the Chicago Tribune today about reactions of the families in the aftermath of Mario Casciaro’s conviction in the murder and disappearance of Brian Carrick.

Brian, a 17-year-old boy, described as small, skinny, sweet and funny,  was last seen on Dec. 20, 2002 running up the stairs to his bedroom in his family’s large, white farmhouse where he was raised with his large, Irish Catholic family – with 13 siblings.

He was last seen by co-workers in the grocery store where he worked as a stock boy, located right across the street from his home, at the back of a produce cooler arguing with known felon Shane Lamb, described as “the muscle” – “the intimidator” of a small rural town drug ring.

Again I say there are no winners. This is a sad story all around about youth and poor choices. I have followed this case for many years. I have come to know the families on both sides of this case and they are very nice people who love their sons and brothers.

I welcome your comments and questions. It is a confusing case to understand. But prosecutors say they did what they had to in order to hold someone accountable for the loss the Carricks have suffered. Prosecutors say they will continue to investigate where the 17-year-old stock boy’s body is.

For more background search my blog. There are several stories posted from the trial that ended Tuesday. Until next time, love each other.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-brian-carrick-guilty-verdict-20130404-15,0,3812487.story

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Mario Casciaro guilty in 10-year-old cold case

I have followed this story for years. I covered both trials. I have met and come to like the family members of both the defendant and the victim, the young boy whose body has never been found. There are no winners here. There is no joy.

One young man, who could have had a wonderful, happy, successful future is facing 20 to 60 years in prison, and another will never come home. His family will never really know what happened to him – or his body. Read link  to Chicago Tribune story below.

Share, like, comment, let me know you stopped by. And until next time, PLEASE love each other….Too much sadness in the world.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-brian-carrick-verdict-20130403,0,4742818.story

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Case goes to verdict today, second link to updated story added.

Amanda Marrazzo's avatarAmanda Marrazzo

UPDATE LINK BELOW: COULD BE A VERDICT TODAY

Dear friends, family and followers: here is how I spent my Spring Break. I’ve been hold up in a McHenry County courtroom. But I believe in all things there is a lesson to be learned.

My take away? Always tell the truth, know who your friends are and who your friends’ friends are and who your kids’ friends are. Be mindful of your words and actions. Humans are complicated.

Please click or paste link below. THERE IS A SECOND LINK ADDED

Soon I’ll update this blog post with an end of the day recap from today/Monday in court. Remember there has never been a body found. This is the tragedy in this twisted, lie-ridden tale of sin and redemption. Tomorrow each lawyer will give their final closing arguments to jurors. Then the jurors will deliberate. Mario Casciaro’s fate will finally be determined – after…

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Brian Carrick cold-case murder and disappearance: both sides rest. Who is telling the truth? Case goes to jury today.

UPDATE LINK BELOW: COULD BE A VERDICT TODAY

Dear friends, family and followers: here is how I spent my Spring Break. I’ve been hold up in a McHenry County courtroom. But I believe in all things there is a lesson to be learned.

My take away? Always tell the truth, know who your friends are and who your friends’ friends are and who your kids’ friends are. Be mindful of your words and actions. Humans are complicated.

Please click or paste link below. THERE IS A SECOND LINK ADDED

Soon I’ll update this blog post with an end of the day recap from today/Monday in court. Remember there has never been a body found. This is the tragedy in this twisted, lie-ridden tale of sin and redemption. Tomorrow each lawyer will give their final closing arguments to jurors. Then the jurors will deliberate. Mario Casciaro’s fate will finally be determined – after more than 10 years since Brian’s disappearance, one perjury trial that ended in an acquittal, one murder trial that ended in a mistrial.  Mario, 29, faces 20 to 60 years in prison.

The Carricks will never know what really happened to Brian. One of 14 children in this large, Irish Catholic family. Very sweet, kind people. They will forever have a hole in their hearts, an empty chair at their Christmas table. They will also always have an empty chair where mom, Terry, would sit. Brian’s mom died months before seeing an arrest in her son’s murder.

I welcome your input. Like, share and comment. Until next time, love each other…..

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-brian-carrick-murder-mario-casciaro-trial,0,1136188.story

UPDATE: COULD BE A VERDICT TODAY (link below)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-brian-carrick-trial-0402-20130402,0,7892950.story

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Amanda Marrazzo's avatarAmanda Marrazzo

Hi friends, family and followers:

Another day in the Mario Casciaro first-degree murder trial.

At the end of the day the whole situation is just so sad. Everyone involved in this tale were just teenagers when all of this calamity was put into motion.

If anything good comes of this sad sordid tale, let it be  a reminder that we really need to pay attention to who our kids are hanging out with.

We need to know at all times what they are doing.

Also a reminder that the teen years, the years of experimentation, can result in long-lasting problems. Our kids need to know that decisions they are making now, if not good choices, can follow them around for the rest of their lives.

(link below)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-brian-carrick-trial-0329-20130329,0,5660141.story

I welcome any and all comments.

Until next time…

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