Author: Michelle Dryden

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Local News

Perlow leads N.J. schools’ new communications initiative

CLEMENTON, N.J. – With educational institutions facing safety, security,

Lori Perlow is manager of public relations and communications at Camden County Educational Services Commission.
— Provided photo
and mental health crises, Lori Perlow is managing a new communications initiative to address these issues locally.

Therefore, the Camden County Educational Services Commission (CCESC) recently introduced public relations and communication services to New Jersey’s public and private school districts, as well as to higher education institutions.

In order to establish this strategic effort, the CCESC has hired Perlow, a seasoned school communications professional and president of the New Jersey School Public Relations Association (NJSPRA).

Perlow states that, “Between my years of experience and my commitment to helping schools improve and increase their communications, I’m confident that this initiative will be a success.”

Perlow has 20 years of marketing communications experience in the private, non-profit and public sectors.

She is one of four in the United States to receive the 2017-18 Front-Runner Award from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). Perlow has also won several NJSPRA awards.

A provider of shared services to school districts for nearly 40 years, CCESC has responded to the challenges of school district administrators who must be prepared for high-quality, proactive and reactive information exchanges with their stakeholders.

“Public relations planning along with timely and effective communications are critical for school districts,” says Daniel Del Vecchio, superintendent of the CCESC.

He continues that, “However, staffing with this skill set is not practical. Our shared service will provide school leaders an opportunity to consult with an expert and execute a customized, cost-effective campaign.”

That is why Perlow works directly with school districts and higher education institutions to provide them with a wide range of offerings including crisis communications, media relations, website design, marketing/branding, recruitment, social media, community relations, establishing partnerships, internal communications, and more.

As a result, school administrators can now focus on students’ achievements, safety and security while placing district communications in the hands of trained professionals.

However, states such as California, New York and Pennsylvania have provided school communications services through a shared-service model for decades, and New Jersey will now follow suit.

For more information, contact Lori Perlow, manager of public relations and communications at CCESC at LPerlow@CamdenESC.org, or 856-784-2100 x121.

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Business

Experience good taste, even tea at Iris Thrifts & Gifts

EWING, N.J. – Upon entering Iris Thrifts & Gifts store, a customer sees a variety of interesting, cute, and fashionable items for little girls and older ladies, and recently the store added tea to the list.

Last week, the store owners held an Afternoon Tea Party where they invited guests and patrons to enjoy a relaxing afternoon sipping tea and participating in activities, while also shopping at the store.

Iris Thrifts & Gifts owner said she organized the tea party because she wanted to promote the idea of simple, old-fashioned traditions of getting together, relaxing and having a cup of tea.

Located at 2124 Spruce St. in Ewing, Iris Thrifts & Gifts opened in February 2015 because the owner has a passion for thrifting and gifting.

According to the owner, the top-selling thrifting and gifting items in the store are usually women’s clothes. Other items include natural soaps, body butters, pots and pans, lamps, paintings, handbags, shoes, vases, Shades of Color afro-centric stationeries, Paparazzi jewelry, handmade stone hearts from Kenya, and even tea cups and saucers.

The thrift items are usually the nearly new stuff, whereas the gifts are the brand new items.

The owner of Iris Thrifts & Gifts said she likes the idea of combining the two: thrift items with simple, but also beautiful gifts.

She added that they try to focus on top-selling brands and good quality items at the store.

She also mentioned that the all-natural soaps, hand-carved stone hearts from Kenya, and the Paparazzi jewelry are popular for gifts, and that there are a variety of other unique and different gifts and thrifts items in the store.

Iris Thrifts & Gifts also supports other local organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club located next door on Spruce Street. They will donate partial proceeds from their recent Afternoon Tea Party to this local chapter.

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Local News

Rider’s 34th Annual Athletics Golf Gala to benefit its D-I varsity programs

LAWRENCE, N.J. – For the 16th consecutive year, Rider University’s 34th Annual Athletics Golf Gala will be held at Old York Country Club in Chesterfield, Monday, and will benefit Rider’s 20 NCAA Division I varsity programs.

In 1985, the Golf Gala originated at Rider as a means to increase support for the University’s athletics, its programs, and most importantly, its student athletes, according to a statement from Don Harnum, Rider University athletic director.

Harnum also wrote that, “since the Gala’s inception, many improvements have been made in the areas of information technology, facilities, equipment, team travel, uniforms, team rooms and more.”

On Monday, golfers will have choices between two shotgun start times at 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The golf fee will include Rider or Adidas sportswear and other participant gifts, greens and cart fees, souvenir foursome photos, refreshments on the course, breakfast or lunch in the morning, and lunch or dinner in the afternoon.

After the golf session, there will be a cocktail hour, dinner, awards ceremony, raffle prize giveaway, and the annual silent auction.

This year, Rider Athletics Golf Gala will offer a discounted rate for Broncs of the Last Decade (BOLD) alumni, which will include all the participants’ gifts, breakfast and lunch in the morning session only.

BOLD alumni may register and play in the afternoon, but will be charged the full registration fee.

If you are interested in participating as a golfer or attending the dinner contact Lynn Rugg at 609-895-5778, or via email at lrugg@rider.edu. Online registration is also available at GoBroncs.com.

To participate in corporate sponsorship opportunities, or provide raffle prizes, or silent auction donations, please call Karin Torchia, Rider senior associate director of athletics at 609-896-5249, or by email at ktorchia@rider.edu.

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Local News

NJ-04 produces annual art competition winners from among 650k students

HAMILTON, N.J. — Since 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated in the national Annual Congressional Art Competition, and this year’s winners from NJ 4th Congressional District were awarded at

Brynna Fisher from Princeton Day School is a winner this year in the Annual Congressional Art Competition.
— Provided photo
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital-Hamilton (RWJ-Hamilton) Lakefront Tower Gallery recently.

Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), who sponsors the annual art show for high school students in NJ 4th Congressional District, announced the 2018 winners.

“The 2018 competition was one of the largest in 25 years,” Smith said. “We had many talented entries from across Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties. I congratulate ‘Best-In-Show’ winner, Jordan Heine. Her ‘American Graffiti’ was amazing. I congratulate all the winners and participants. The judges had a tough time picking the winners because of the amount of quality entries.”

The students’ artwork was displayed at RWJ-Hamilton art gallery since March 19. Judging took place on March 23, and the award ceremony took place April 12.

Student’s artwork in the Lakefront Tower Gallery at RWJ Hospital.
— Provided photo
RWJ-Hamilton CEO and President Richard Freeman attended the ceremony.

“Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital graciously hosted this competition at its wonderful Lakefront Tower Gallery,” said Smith. “Hospital visitors, as well as employees and patients have again responded positively to the show.”

The eight students who won this year are:

• Best in show – Jordan Heine, 11th grade, Wall High School; “American Graffiti” (acrylic on canvas)
• First place runner-up – Micayla Augustyn, 12th grade, Wall High School; “Dog Daze of Summer’’ (oil on canvas)
• Second place runner-up – Kylie Frew, 10th grade, Freehold Township High School; “City Hall” (colored pencil)
• Third place runner-up – Brynna Fisher, 10th grade, Princeton Day School; “The Point of Construction” (mixed media collage)
• Honorable mention – Sarah Fakult, 11th grade, Freehold Township Regional High School; “Empower the Bully Breed with Flowers” (oil on canvas)
• Honorable mention – Gazal Mathur, 9th grade, Robbinsville High School; “Sea’s Sick” (colored pencil)
• Honorable mention photography – Cece McCarthy, 12th grade, Red Bank Regional High School; “Sky Light (digital photography)

Three judges chose this year’s winners at RWJ March 23. The judges are Debbie Jencsik and Jim Inzero of Ocean County; and Rich Thompson of Mercer County.

“I am grateful to the judges for lending their time and expertise to this show,” said Smith. “I also thank RWJ-Hamilton President Richard Freeman and his staff, as well as the invaluable assistance of Lakefront Gallery curator Sheila Geisier and other members of the Princeton Photo Club which manages shows at the gallery. They all did an amazing job.”

The Congressional Institute sponsors this national high school art competition each year. It is an effort to recognize and foster artistic talent in each congressional district.

Students submit their entries to their Member of Congress office, and a panel of judges selects the winners. Participation in the contest is at the discretion of each member office.

The Best in Show winners are recognized at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., and the artwork are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.

For more information about eh 2018 NJ-04 show or to view recent years’ winners, click here.

Categories
Art & Life

Program offers more hope for families affected by ALS

PENNINGTON, N.J. – In addition to other camps, the non-profit, Hope Loves Company,

HLC young ambassadors travel to Iceland last July.
— Provided photo
(HLC) is now offering a free weekend retreat for teenagers and young adults who have been closely affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“We hope that this new paradigm will address the unique needs of young adults who are caregivers, who have more responsibilities in their roles transferring people with ALS, seating and dressing them,” said Jodi O’Donnell-Ames, the founder of HLC.

O’Donnell-Ames said HLC is trying to help campers with their emotional and physical wellness by providing a safe haven of peer support and relaxation for these young caregivers.

This new HLC Teen Retreat is opened to ages 15-21, and will offer many fun experiences allowing attendees from across the nation who have attended Camp HLC before to reconnect with old friends while making new ones. It will take place Sept. 7 to 9 at the Barn at Gravity Hill in Titusville, N.J.

You can learn more about ALS and Camp HLC that have also been featured on The Today’s Show on NBC television.

Categories
Local News

Hair store features black entrepreneurs who address holistic health issues

TRENTON, N.J. — A few years ago, a husband and wife team began an initiative called, “operation take our hair back,” which is not only concerned about wealth, but more about the holistic health of their customers.

Donna Jarrett-Paris, co-owner of Paris Hair talks about “operation take our hair back.”
— Photo by Michelle Dryden

This effort by owners, Donna and Andrew Paris, has evolved into Paris Hair and Beauty Supplies store in Trenton.

“Five years ago, we sat and watched a horrific film based on the atrocities of black hair, and we were blown away by what we learned about the amount of money they make from our hair,” said Donna Paris.

“We are less than two per cent of business owners in this trillion dollar industry,” she explained.

Paris went on to say that “operation take our hair back” is about taking back the black hair industry from other ethnicities, such as the Koreans, and utilizing black entrepreneurs to create, develop, and feature their “all-natural” ingredients hair and skin products at Paris Hair store.

She says the idea is about investing money into the black community while relying on holistic doctors and chemists to educate the black community.

The premise is that traditional, or mainstream hair and skin products that are widely available on the shelves of most stores are not ideal for hair and skin of color.

She mentions adverse effects of chemical infusion in the products that cause fibroids, eczema, psoriasis, alopecia, and other illnesses in the black hair and skin community.

But, Paris Hair and Beauty Supplies store offers something different from other hair stores in the area, says Paris.

“When (customers) come in, we get involved in their health, diets, and lifestyles,” she said.

Paris explains that not only does her store cater to the black hair and skin community, but they also empathize and sympathize with them.

She said unlike other stores, they understand why black hair and skin behave the way they do, and they educate their customers about it.

Thus, they have an all-natural ingredients products section in their store, where they feature products developed by black entrepreneurs, holistic doctors, and chemists.

These chemists list all the natural ingredients in their products, which they promise have been tested and are safer and better for blacks than the more common products.

“When you take a product to use, just like your food, you should know what the ingredients are,” said Paris.

“And the names should be familiar and make sense,” she said.

She states that anything people add on to their hair or skin becomes a part of the body by potentially seeping into their bloodstreams, and so it is important to choose products wisely.

Categories
Local News

Rider University to keep Westminster Choir College in Princeton, partners with Kaiwen Education, establishes WCCAC

Larry J. Livingston is interim president of the WCCAC that will manage Westminster Choir College next July.
— Provided photo

PRINCETON, N.J. — After an exhaustive due diligence process, Rider University has selected Kaiwen Education from among approximately 280 candidates to keep the financially failing Westminster Choir College (WCC) in Princeton.

Additionally, Rider has established Westminster Choir College Acquisition Corporation (WCCAC), and appointed Larry J. Livingston as interim president of this New Jersey non-profit that will assume operation of WCC next July.

Livingston, who has been project manager of the corporation, also has an extensive track record as several music schools’ administrator. He is optimistic about his new role.

“Actually what excites me is not so much being named interim president, though I am honored by the WCCAC’s Board of Trustees confidence, but rather the prospect of helping WCC, a venerable and first-class music school, enter into an even brighter future,” states Livingston.

He believes WCC will evolve and prosper with Kaiwen Education as a partner.

Kaiwen Education is a financially stable, exceptional educational company located in the Haidian District of Beijing, China. It presently manages two prominent K-12 schools for serious and talented youth.

“There is no reason that this transaction should do other than create a bright future for WCC,” writes Livingston.

He states, “Kaiwen is a well-funded, dynamic entity, financially healthy and therefore ideally positioned to help WCC grow and flourish.”

Kaiwen is also growing and planning to open several more international school campuses. Its premise is based on educating young people to become open-minded, inquiring, courageous, reflective, principled, and caring citizens.

Kaiwen Education focuses on humanities, science, arts, and sports. It believes quality is priority and maintains excellence.

It does this by stressing the equal importance of educating the mind and training the body. Thus, Kaiwen campuses feature exceptional athletic and music performance facilities.

Therefore, Kaiwen is ideally positioned to fulfill its mission to sustain and grow Westminster Choir College’s reputation as a world-class institution while maintaining it as an artistically pre-eminent, academically rigorous, and fiscally sound institution.

Both Rider and PriceWaterhouseCoopers Corporate Finance spent more than a year undertaking intricate and thorough diligence to focus on applicants that would keep WCC in Princeton.

They chose Kaiwen because it would complete this transaction. Also because of their sound fiscal state, experience operating prominent schools for talented youth, and their motivation to move Westminster forward.

Although Kaiwen does not have experience managing a higher education institution, “there is an abundance of higher education expertise available both within the WCC community, as well as domestically and globally,” states Livingston.

He also comments that, “working together with all WCC constituents, Kaiwen is determined to help WCC improve its fiscal health, to see it evolve as an even stronger music school and one which can stand on its own solid financial footing.”

Categories
Art & Life

T. MAJ Dance Company uses art as vehicle for activism

“Plight” performer kneels with pairs of shoes on the floor to demonstrate her immigration issues.
— Provided photo

WAYNE, N.J. – Titilayo Majoyeogbe is the director and choreographer of a fairly new dance company — T. MAJ Dance – that recently demonstrated its mission to address sociopolitical issues and encourage activism through dance performances.

T. MAJ Dance company presented its premiere performance called “Plight,” by implementing text, audio, props, visual and innovative movements to depict one of the world’s largest humanitarian crisis – immigration.

Majoyeogbe believes “Plight” dance show is culturally relevant.

“As a choreographer, I always want to create a dance that seeks to bring the unspoken, neglected, rejected and under-told histories and stories of marginalized people to light through movement,” Majoyeogbe states.

According to Majoyeogbe, “Plight” is culturally relevant because it reveals the sacrifices of family divisions among immigrants.

She said the performers explore their sacrifices by creating moments of dependency and independency, and security and disconnection.

The dancers demonstrate the issues of immigrants through “small yet intense vernacular gestures that speak of dignity, power, determination and desperation,” Majoyeogbe states.

The dance movements create a surreal experience charged with mystery and analogy that invite viewers to feel empowered, self-reflect and take action, she explains.

As a choreographer, she pushes the boundaries of creative movements while she tries to inspire viewers by creating a sense of hope in the midst of worldwide sociopolitical issues, she says.

In general, “Plight” performance revolves around immigration, culture resilience, humanity and community.

Her choreography is meant “to initiate conversations among people and to help keep the channels open to humanity and the realms of social inclusion,” she infers.

Categories
Local News

Trenton Health Team relocates to famous ‘Corner Historic’ office

A Leon Rainbow mural for the Trenton Health Team office.
— The Times Image

TRENTON, N.J. – The Trenton Health Team (THT) has recently moved to a new office location at the famous “Corner Historic” at 1 West State Street, Fourth Floor in Trenton.

“We are truly humbled to call 1 West State Street our new home,” said Gregory Paulson, executive director of THT.

1 West State Street is famous for several reasons.

First, the location was famously home to First Mechanics National Bank of Trenton. Prior to that, it was the City Tavern, where the New Jersey delegation ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1787, and hosted George Washington and his family when he was inaugurated as the first President of the United States.

The site has origins dating back to 1730 when John Dagworthy purchased the property from William Trent and built a large homestead.

Now, the building is currently owned by Maestro Technologies that specializes in big data solutions and web security.

Kamal Bathla, managing director of Maestro Technologies, purchased the building in 2017 and is excited about the new possibilities.

He said, “We intend to ignite Trenton with start-up culture, incubator space, training facility, lab and much more. Stay tuned as we write the next chapter in Trenton’s history!”

The company chose to relocate to Trenton to develop public and private partnerships and find innovative solutions in healthcare, technology, and other industries.

THT new office space includes a mural painted by Leon Rainbow, a local Trenton artist. The painting features several landmarks, including the Capital Building and Battle Monument.

The mural was commissioned by THT to illustrate the organization’s vision of a healthy, vibrant capital city.

“Our goal is to improve health outcomes for Trenton residents through strong community partnerships, and based in our new historic location, honor the history of Trenton and the State of New Jersey,” said Paulson of THT.

THT is a nationally recognized community health improvement collaborative serving the six zip codes of Trenton.

The collaborative is an innovative partnership among Capital Health Hospital, St. Francis Medical Center, Henry J. Austin Health Center, and the Department of Health and Human Services of the City of Trenton.

The vision of THT is to make Trenton the healthiest city in the state. Its mission is to transform healthcare for the city by forming a committed partnership with the community.

THT also wants to expand access to high quality, coordinated, cost-effective healthcare.

For more information, visit www.trentonhealthteam.org, or follow THT @trentonhealth.

Categories
Local News

Hometown musicians join in ‘Lifting Trenton Together’ at Levitt AMP Music Series

Capital City Music Ambassador, and renowned Grammy Hall of Fame Inductee, Sarah Dash, stands with Trenton Mayor, Reed Gusciora, at the “Lifting Trenton Together” Concert during the Levitt AMP Music Series in Mill Hill Park, last Thursday.

TRENTON, N.J. – Trenton native, Grammy Hall of Fame Inductee, and the City’s inaugural Music Ambassador, Sarah Dash, along with an entourage of local musicians performed free music at the “Lifting Trenton Together” Concert during a Levitt AMP Music Series in Mill Hill Park, last Thursday.

The event was planned in response to the Arts Fest violence that occurred in the City nearly two months ago.

“Trenton has its challenges but as a city – one city—we are so much more than the violence that erupted at Art All Night on June 17th, so I wanted to take this opportunity to showcase some of the best that Trenton has in terms of pure talent,” says Dash.

The “Lifting Trenton Together” concert last week featured several hometown musicians headlining Dash and the Trenton Children’s Chorus.

Other local musicians included: Donald “Pup” Bolding, who is a composer or lyricist and expressive singer and guitarist. Singer-songwriter, Sarah Copley was also in the lineup. Also, there was singer, saxophonist, percussionist and flautist, Roy Richardson. And, Felton D. Rowe, Jr., who is a self-taught musician, was also among the entertainers for the evening.

The evening’s artists hoped to shine light on the positive talents in Trenton, and to bring media attention to the accomplishments of the local musicians.

“The chaotic tragedy that left one dead and 23 others injured caught the attention of media outlets from across the country, and I would encourage those same outlets to cover this positive, ‘Lifting Trenton Together’ concert as we raise our voices in songs of hope, healing and unity,” says Dash.