Fearing loss of employment to contractors, close to 40,000 Verizon workers on the East Coast were picketing Wednesday during a labor dispute strike. Photo by Eugene Sonn/WHYY In this picket line, Verizon workers in Philadelphia join nearly 40,000 strikers along the East Coast.
Verizon’s spokesman, Ray McConville, said that the current contract does not offer Verizon enough flexibility to move workers around.
‘”Let’s say there is a big job happening in Philadelphia, and we need to bring in some extra people to help out and I have a surplus of technicians in South Jersey,… The current contract prohibits us from doing that,”’ he said.
However, Verizon plans to continue to offer phone, Internet, and cable service to customers even though they are walking the picketing line in eight states that include New Jersey, Pennyslvania and Delaware.
Tom Romantini of Communications Workers of Americas said amidst the fear of being outsourced and replaced by contract workers, Verizon workers are just looking for good paying jobs in this country.
‘“All these corporations, they continually send jobs out of this country. And they deprive this country of its tax base and of good-paying jobs,”’ he said.
NBC TV has reported that Atlantic City is on the brink of a shutdown, and that City workers will not be paid their regular two-weeks checks, but there is a proposal for them to be paid in 28 days instead.
Meanwhile, communities in northern New Jersey are planning to have casinos, which Gov. Christie reportedly said would fail unless AC accepts the plans for Trenton to takeover their city and manage their crisis.
There will be a ballot referendum question this fall regarding North Jersey’s plans for casinos. Gov. Christie plans to campaign against the referendum unless AC accepts Trenton’s assistance and turn New Jersey’s only premier casino community into prosperity.
Photo by Michael Vadon/Wikimedia Commons GOP Front-Runner, Donald Trump
From New York to Arizona, Friday and Saturday, protestors were demonstrating a message that they do not want presidential GOP front-runner, and business mogul, Donald Trump, to become the Presidential nominee for the Republican Party.
While Trump’s opponents protested in NYC and Tucson, Ariz. Saturday, they were also sending him their messages of intolerance in Salt Lake City, Utah, at a Trump rally there.
Protesters have been blocking streets with vehicles, trying to breach the doors at Trump rally venues, and have been chanting, “No more hate,’’ and “Trump the racist.”
However, Trump rally organizers said that authorities are ready to deal with any problems that may arise from the anti-Trump sentiments.
Opponents are criticizing Trump for his comments about building a border to keep illegal immigrants from entering the United States, and other ill remarks they claim he made about Mexicans. Some even said he has made unflattering comments about women and even about his rival, Democratic front-runner, Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.
According to CNN Politics, “Trump also criticized Sen. Ted Cruz, his main GOP opponent, once again calling him ‘”Lyin’ Ted.’’’
The protesting against Trump’s nomination is coming from within his own party. Trump is also at odds with 2012 GOP nominee, Mitt Romney, who is trying to deny him the delegates he needs to become the GOP nominee.
Protestors have marched in Manhattan from Columbus Circle to Trump Towers demonstrating and even threw water bottles at police who were trying to get traffic moving. The police arrested some of the them.
Anti-Trump sentiments are prevalent because of Trump’s outspoken nature. Trump supporters criticize his opponents saying he has a right to free speech, but others claim he is a bigot who is spreading hate, intolerance, and anti-immigration sentiments. They believe Trump does not represent what America or the Republican Party is all about.
People around the globe are expressing fear about Trump becoming the next president in the White House of the United States.
CNN Politics reported that a Hong Kong woman said she is “…actually very, very worried.”
According to CNN, some people fear that a Trump’s presidency would lead to a breakdown of America’s relations with other countries, which could eventually lead to World War III.
The same report claims that at Jakarta woman said if Trump is elected, “That’s it, that’s the end of America.”
The fear is real. The protests are ongoing. So, will American voters actually elect Trump to the White House in the upcoming 2016 presidential elections?
Perhaps. This boxed-like, squared, pixeled QR Code image seen here can be downloaded to your smartphone and used to scan same like images on products to get information.This technology can be fun and intriguing to use for finding product prices and coupons, advertisements, useful information and links to websites, businesses, entertainment, and the like.
As an alternative to barcodes, QR Codes were very promising because they are 2-dimensional and can store more information than the barcodes. QR means Quick Response. The little black and white, pixel-square codes were developed in Japan, by Denso, a Toyota subsidiary, in the 1990s to track car parts.
And, with the popularity of smartphones, the creators of QR Codes were optimistic that everyone would be downloading the codes to their phones to scan for a variety of information on the go. Infographic source: MarketingCharts
However, nowadays not many people are using their smartphones to scan QR Codes. In fact, Lifelearn states that since 2011 when they were everywhere only 21% of smartphone users have been scanning them.
Likewise, MarketingCharts has reported that even though the number of smartphone users
has increased, the scanning of QR Codes has stalled.
However, some people are still optimistic about the future uses for QR Codes. Locally, Mike Russell, a residence technician at Staples, Lawrenceville, NJ, recently said that their computers have the codes on their tags and if customers scan tags they can get specs about their computers.
But Paul Pascale, assistant manager at Sprint, Fairless Hills, Pa, sometime ago said, “some people don’t like these codes, but some do.”
Some people think the codes are more popular overseas like in Singapore, where shy singles at a bar can communicate with each other by sending a barcode message on a bottle to someone of interest.
“After you’ve written something for the person you like, flip over the tag, buy another beer and place the tag over it. Then have it sent to that special someone so they can read the message you can start a conversation,’’ writes Emma Hutchings for PSFK.
Here in the U.S., QR Codes are used mostly for advertising coupons in the food, fashion, and beauty industries.
Kate Freeman’s article in Mashable tells us about Split Bread, a gourmet sandwich shop in San Francisco, that offers a service where customers order and pay for their food using the codes on their tables. According to Freeman, 30 per cent of patrons to this establishment pay using the codes.
Overall, according to MarketingCharts staff, women are more likely to scan and redeem QR Codes than men, as they are more likely to use coupons in general.
Nevertheless, a slight majority of women prefer to display coupons to cashiers rather than scanning them shows the study by MarketingCharts staff. The study claims that 36 per cent find push notification of mobile coupons offers useful, but less than three in 10 prefer barcode-scan mobile coupons.
This same study notes that one in five mobile users do not want coupon offers on their devices. However, one can use QR Codes for more than coupons scanning.
For those fascinated with QR Codes, they have websites that can create them,’’ said Russell of Staples. However, “I haven’t seen many people using them,’’ he added.
QR Codes are built in apps that can be downloaded from the Operating Systems of smartphones. There are QuickMark and Enigma for Androids, and MiraScape for the iPhone.
Manuel vs. The Statue of Liberty, an award-winning musical comedy by a Princeton playwright, Noemi de la Puente, addresses the issue of illegal immigration and the “absurdities” brilliant students usually face in America’s schools, given the absence of the DREAM Act.
A Princeton University undergraduate who was an illegal immigrant, and could not accept a scholarship to Oxford University, UK, because he could not leave the United States to travel — considering he was undocumented, fights with the Statue of Liberty in the show. His story inspired the musical comedy. The character Manuel in the play represents this student.
The Statue of Liberty depicts the “diva democracy’’ on immigration in the United States. De la Puente said that a musical comedy was the best vehicle to drive home the messages of the play. She said that the music is multicultural and the comedy lightens notions on the very serious reality of immigration in America.
Manuel vs. The Statue of Liberty play has won awards, including NYMF in 2014. The Statue of Liberty herself has won an individual award. This comedy has been shown at theaters in New York and at local theaters in New Jersey. This play was also at a Princeton University theater earlier this weekend.
The grassroots nonpartisan Council on Princeton Future met twice this fall at the Princeton Public Library to engage community participation in making plans for the region, and the meetings have yielded suggestions to solve several issues.
Both meetings were led by Kevin Wilkes, AIA, and president of Princeton Future. Several members from government and other organizations were available to answer questions and to offer recommendations.
At the first meeting on Nov. 21, participants discussed community housing, transportation and mobility, and downtown vibrancy. These individuals also participated in a survey where they gave feedback on areas in town that they liked the most and those they liked the least. Wilkes reported the results of these activities at the Dec. 5 meeting.
Among recommendations and feedback, were to reduce traffic in town. This has been a longstanding issue and as a result, Peter Kramer and company have developed the Princeton Ride Share app to encourage carpooling in the Princeton area.
Princeton Future also suggested other goals such as engaging Princeton University plans to expand and grow. Wilkes reported that there are suggestions for reinforcing the positive qualities for places where people usually gather in town. He also mentioned the concerns about first floor spaces in community housing. Also, there were suggestions for improving the health and nutrition of Princeton residents, said Wilkes.
According to Wilkes, the council is actively working to produce desired results for the community.
The Rev. Calvin Nadir Lynn Powell has been named the first African-American pastor of First Baptist Church of Trenton about five months ago, but Sunday he affirmed his commitment in an Installation Service at the church.
Joined by several other area Baptist pastors, his family, FBCT congregation members and visitors, the former pastor, a clergy, friends, customers and others, the Rev. Powell accepted his call to lead the 210-year-old church.
“It’s a very emotional day,” said the former pastor, Elizabeth Congdon. “As we look at how God uses us, and how God continues God’s work through us and the people who follow us… It’s such a special day for me, and a special blessing, “ she said.
Bishop Donald Hilliard Jr. who gave a sermon preceding The Service of Installation, called on the new leadership and the church community to maintain a church that focuses on God. He emphasized the purpose of the Church and why the nation needs good churches.
The Rev. Powell said he accepts the position as senior pastor with humility after serving the congregation as associate pastor for about four years.
Last weekend Abiding Love International Fellowship church held its third annual two-day Community Day fair to show love to the City of Trenton.
Located at 210 Genesee St. in the Chambersburg section of Trenton, ALIFE brought folks from all over the area to share in the many free activities that they were offering.
Pastor of ALIFE, Akin Bankole, Ph.D., said, “God wants us to be an extension of his hands…and [we are inviting] the community to come and enjoy this day with us. We have a swimming pool for the children. We have a playground for the children… face painting… health check ups… prayer tent… clothes that we are giving out… cooking: hamburgers, hotdogs… We just want people to come and to experience the love of Jesus Christ.”
The children enjoyed the pool, the food, and their games. The adults had other activities in their tents such as a prayer table and a health fair table where ALIFE medical staff offered free blood pressure checks and other screenings.
ALIFE Deaconess, Vera Stone, explained that apart from the blood pressure checkups, they have been inviting community members to come to the church by telling them more about what they do at ALIFE.
Dara Bankole, member of ALIFE, explained that they want the community to know that the church is there for them so they can experience Jesus’ love.
The event participants included residents from communities such as Selinsgrove in Pennsylvania as well as people from different areas of Trenton.
The Community Day staff offered bilingual communications for individuals in both English and Spanish.
“We really just want to connect with everyone,” said Jocelyn Kennedy, member of ALIFE.
In an effort to extend their love and to build relationships, Community Day was an evening event on Friday and lasted from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
You are on a stringent budget, but you want to improve your home. You may have to think about a diy
project that will allow you to be frugal.
Prof. Michelle Dryden is a multimedia journalist and educator with a master’s and a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
For individuals who like beautiful homes and are on a fixed income, you should try these simple, cost-saving ideas that can improve your surroundings:
• Examine your home and write down the improvements you’d like to see.
• Start with your favorite room, or an area outside.
• If you want to start remodeling your bathroom, think about the changes you would like to make. Do you want to change from vinyl to tiles? Do you want to paint the walls? Thinking about doing electrical work?
• Stop into a Home Depot Store. They are very helpful. In fact, they frequently host classes on diy projects for all areas of the home – interior and exterior.
Yusef Williams, a lead generator at the Home Depot in Ewing, N.J., said, “For people going from vinyl to ceramic floors, they can use an adhesive remover to pull up the vinyl.”
Improve your beautiful home with your diy projects
He continued to explain that when you choose ceramic you would first have to lay down either a Wonder Board or a Hardie Backer, then mix your cement and lay on either boards. Then, you should place your ceramic tiles on top of the cemented boards. He said that if you see Hardie Backers that are half-inch thick, then you should use those for your walls. You are to use the quarter-inch ones on your floors.
When on a budget, you will want to pay extra attention to how you choose your ceramic tiles. Williams explained that tiles are made of natural stone, porcelain or ceramic. Porcelain is the most expensive, with ceramic being the least costly.
If you were to hire a contractor to tile your walls and floors, he will charge you for each sq. ft. of tiles he lays. The Home Depot classes can teach you diy tips in laying your tiles.
Do you also want to change your bathroom fixtures? These vary in price according to brand names. Williams said a name such as Glacier Bay is not as popular as Delta, Moen and Pfister. But he cautioned that people should choose a brand based on their budgets and preferences.
Next, you may want to shop for paints to give your bathroom color a lift. Edie Ellison, a paint associate at the Home Depot, advised that you should first decide on a color before visiting the store.
By having your color, Ellison can help you to find a match, based on work that needs to be done, your budget, brands, and prices.
• For those who like high quality paints, but cannot afford them, use coupons, wait for sales, or buy comparable products that are less costly.
Ellison said that Behr paints are the most popular. These paints are available in both paint and primer as one product. She said this combo makes them a more economical way to shop for paints. However, if a shopper cannot afford the Behr, she suggested the comparable Glidden Duo. They also have paint and primer in one, she said.
So, when you have started the painting job, it’s important to make sure your paint is enough for the area to be painted and that your paintbrush will last for the entire job.
More tips:
• Keep a Ziploc bag handy while painting. Instead of continually washing your paintbrush when you take breaks, stick the brush inside and seal it to keep it fresh and clean until you pick it up again.
Use multipurpose Ziploc bags to help you with your paint projects
• Also, if you have Vaseline at home, use it to grease your hands and the brush handle so the paint will not stick to you as you paint. You may still need old rags and T-shirts close by.
You can also save money by performing simple diy electrical repairs. However, some people might be terrified of getting shocked by electrical wires, so they pay contractors.
Nevertheless, when on a limited budget, you can learn how to replace outlets, switches, bulbs, and other electrical pieces yourself.
A flathead screwdriver can help you with your electrical work.
• Use a flathead screwdriver to remove the outlets and study the inside wirings, then you will be able to reconnect and replace the old ones with new ones.
• Use a box cutter to draw a mark around the old outlet you’ll be removing so the paint won’t peel when you remove it. Study the color of the wires that wrap around the screws so you can similarly rewire the sockets. Typically, white wires wrap silver screws; black wires wrap gold screws, and the bare copper wires wrap green screws.
There is a standard electrical outlet and a preferred one. They differ in price with the preferred one being more expensive. However, the installation is the same for both.
And, changing a light switch is similar to changing the outlet but it does not matter which color wires you wrap around the screws.
Electricians charge about $70 for these jobs that take about 10 minutes to complete.
DIY projects are gratifying, cost saving, and are fun.
