The staff and members of Grand Family Success Center, a kinship organization, deliberated at their meeting Wednesday as they brainstormed sources for future funding of their grandparents and children’s support initiative.
As the group deliberated about how to raise funds, members also expressed reasons why they really need the program to continue over the next years.
“I joined the program three years ago. I didn’t know it existed,” said Pearlene Armstrong, a grandmother. “I have a granddaughter who really, really needs attention,” she said.
Jacqueline Harris, also a grandmother, said it is difficult to imagine not having the program in her life. “Without this program I don’t know what I would do because they help me in so many ways,” she said. “They help me with my grandson who has multiple disorders.”
Recently, the Grand Family Success Center, (GFSC), received notice from their funding source, The Nicholson Foundation, that it will no longer fund the GFSC after Dec. 31, 2015. As a result, the staff and the group of caregivers, who are mostly grandparents, have been researching ways and means to continue the services of this resourceful kinship group. They will need a new home location and funding to keep the community services and resources available.
The GFSC is a program under The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey agency. This support group assists kinship families, who are caregivers for children of family members who are not able to financially, emotionally, mentally, or otherwise able to take care of their own children.
The Children’s Home Society, Grand Family Success Center and Kinship program also welcomes donations to:
The Children’s Home Society
For The Grand Family Success Center
Building #1, Suite #220
168 Franklin Corner Rd.
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
The First Baptist Church of Trenton celebrated the end of the Rev. Elizabeth Congdon’s five-year pastorship, Sunday. The pews were filled with many congregation members who love Rev. Congdon and had memorable stories about her leadership. Even though the more than two-centuries-old church has changed leadership a few times, the membership still came out to show support, appreciation, remember good times, and express good wishes for her future. She was presented with good gifts, serenaded with songs, and she preached her last sermon. After the sermon, the congregation gathered in the community room for dinner with the Rev. Congdon and her family.
The Youth College (YOCO) at the James Kerney Campus of Mercer County Community College had a summer extravaganza last Friday to mark the end of their summer school academic sessions. The Youth College partially comprise of Upward Bound and Very Important People, (V.I.P.) high school students, staff and faculty. During the summer session, students attended classes that prepared them for their standardized tests that they need to graduate from high school and also to attend college. These tests include the High School Proficiency Assessment, (HSPA), Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, (PARCC) and their Scholastic Assessment Tests, (SATs). The students went on trips each Friday during the first five weeks of the program. During week six, the last week of the program, they went on their trip that Wednesday. The students said they learned many lessons and enjoyed the programs. They plan to return during the fall semester.
Upbeat, rocking, energetic, and highly entertaining; Jah Guide Reggae Band swayed the crowd at Art All Night in Trenton, last Saturday. Art All Night is a cultural, festive, an entertaining event that happens annually in the City of Trenton. There were various vendors, artists, games, other musicians, and just about every ethnicity at the event. The new Mayor-Elect, Eric Jackson, of Trenton, welcomed visitors to Art All Night.
I am an enthusiastic freelancer who is excited to work on your projects. As an experienced, talented and professional writer, editor, reporter, educator, translator, and content curator, I am the versatile and ideal choice for your jobs. Both my education and my work experiences have prepared me to handle just about any journalism or related task. I recently earned my M.A. in New Media Journalism. I also have a B.A. in traditional journalism. I have worked at daily newspapers as a staff writer, editor, reporter and paginator. And, I launched my personal news website, The Media Pub. Plus, I have another blog called, Drydens Designer Tools, where I feature educational games, lesson designs and academic writings. With my multimedia and educational experiences, I am prepared for your gigs.
At Vintage Maya we believe in a world where vintage, history, and inspiration mean everything. It’s why we search, pick and choose what we ultimately bring into your homes, into your closets, and into your lives. Everything we choose for you is an extension of ourselves, expressing who we are and who we want to be.
Stylish and chic, this must-have Seetal handmade handbag with silk, woven cane, and embroidery materials, has a unique and attractive look and can be your companion to almost any event. It is a small, neat, neutral and natural piece to add to your outfits, naturally. – Image/Vintage Maya
Who are we?
We are individuals who want highly curated looks not meant for the masses. We love the excitement of an exclusive “find.” We love vintage, history, and vintage- inspired. We also love to mix it up with new and modern designs. We travel searching for our roots and learning more about the world around us. We shop the world looking for artisans and independent designers so we are able to bring you the best of fresh, new looks. Handpicked, we showcase styles that come straight from a designer’s soul to bring a sense of connectivity, consciousness and celebration of the art.
Who do we want to be?
We want bring back a simpler time where artists can create what they love and be able to make a living from it; where crafts are perfected by hand. Also, where all shops are small shops. We strive to be a company with conscience in all decisions we make – large and small. Above all, Vintage Maya wants to be a site that will delight you every time you log on. Take a moment to explore fabulous finds. See the links below.
Printed and embroidered on silk this exclusive limited edition handmade Persian inspired collection of floral decorative pillow cover is pure luxury. In hues of pink, orange and cream white, this pillow features a hidden zipper closure. – Image/Vintage MayaThis lurex yarn brocade scarf features a solid border with pom pom tassels. Made of poly georgette. This is a festive scarf for the artist in all of us. This is an exclusive small run and handmade piece from local artisans. In rich hues of pink and gold, bordered by bright purple, green and blue. – Image/Vintage Maya
Winter 2013-14 has been one of the most stormy snow seasons in several years in the Northeast. Trenton, N.J., has been getting six to eight inches of snow each snowfall. Conditions get real bad at times, where residents lose electricity and their basements flood. As an online student at Full Sail University, I am trying to cope, hoping not to lose electricity. One of the biggest snow storms was within a few hours after SuperBowl XLVIII ended at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
Michelle Dryden is an experienced newspaper journalist with a master’s degree in New Media Journalism from Full Sail University, and a bachelor’s degree in traditional journalism from Rider University.
It was several years since I last visited paradise–my native country–Jamaica, where I spent a milestone birthday in July.
Going back after so many years away was a real treat that really allowed me to relax, instead of thinking much about the fact that I am now a middle-aged lady who has more to accomplish in her life.
However, living in the United States for more than 23 years, has taught me that the diversity here makes this country strong and interesting, attracting millions of immigrants each decade.
I enjoy living in New Jersey and dressing for the drastic changes in temperatures each season, but I prefer summer months. For that reason, I try to have a taste of the tropics all year.
Whenever possible, I also like to introduce others to my native culture. Thanksgiving Day is an opportune time to do this.
I usually spend the day with my family and we usually have guests who are sometimes not Jamaicans. I usually invite our guests to sample some of our native foods. Last year, we watched original Jamaican movies with our Haitian guest. In the past, we have also listened to Jamaican Christmas music or reggae music at Thanksgiving.
While I embrace being an American citizen, I am always celebrating my heritage. Throughout the year, I cook with Jamaican curry powder and eat other Jamaican foods. In the summer months, I like to go out to listen to live reggae bands.
The U.S. is considered a melting pot that welcomes immigrants from all over the world. The different ethnicities usually start businesses, such as restaurants that feature their native dishes. Some immigrants, like the Chinese in Chinatown, New York City and Philadelphia, build communities here in the U.S., which resemble their native homelands.
Some Jamaicans have done the same, in Miami, for example. We have a vibrant heritage that we like to share. Jamaicans have roots from all over the world. The country’s motto states: “Out of many, one people.” The majority of the population is of African descent. “Indians, Chinese, Irish, and many more have left their imprint on Jamaican culture,” states a Jamaican travel website.
I was very excited to experience a piece of paradise earlier this year. Although Jamaica has changed a lot over the years, still a lot remain the same. The tropical plants are still beautiful. The sea still looks clear and blue. The beaches are still breathtaking. The landscape is truly amazing.
According to an article on Jamaica-gleaner.com, “Over the years, Jamaica’s compelling natural beauty has attracted more than a few individuals of worldwide acclaim.”
The article mentions the “swashbuckler movie hero, Errol Flynn, who had an abiding love affair with Port Antonio,” the capital city of the parish of Portland. This parish is located just north of the popular Blue Mountains.
British writer, Ian Fleming, was also attracted to Jamaica, land of beauty. Fleming created British spy, James Bond.
There was also Noel Coward, who along with Fleming, were both “pulled” to Jamaica’s north coast.
Jamaica’s natural beauty is just the beginning of the attraction. But it gets more exciting when one begins interacting the with locals, starts partying, and eating the food. The experience makes you want to visit again.
On Thanksgiving Day, tomorrow, I look forward to having tasty Jamaican dishes. I like to experience other cultures as well. So, I try other foods too.
Jamaicans embrace diversity just like the United States does. The island’s motto, “Out of Many, One People,” is basically saying we are one. There are many faces, many races, but we are one spirit and one heart.
Bob Marley’s reggae music encourages us to unite.
At Thanksgiving we can extend our experience of the “melting pot” here in the United States. Many will celebrate by tasting different dishes. We can all celebrate our cultures and our foods with each other.
As we remember to give thanks at Thanksgiving, we should also remember where we are from and why we are living in the United States. Many of us left loved ones in our native countries to be here. Some of us are here because of political oppression, job opportunities, university scholarships and many other reasons.
The United States is a haven to many and we might have ties to other countries but we have to give thanks to be here for many reasons.
It is wonderful that we can express our diversity. It is great that I can visit my native country and share my experiences here. The island of Jamaica is truly a beautiful experience and I look forward to having a piece of paradise at Thanksgiving.
RAHWAY, N.J. – Choreographer, Marilyn Klaus, has blended hit cocktail mixes for her Cocktail Hour performed by Ballets With A Twist, coming to the Hamilton Stage in Rahway this month. Photo by Michelle Dryden Seen here at upper left is both a company’s soloist and children’s ballet mistress/dance instructor, Dorothea Garland; in the forefront is Marilyn Klaus, choreographer of Ballets With A Twist. In the background is another soloist, Emily Anton.
Consisting of 10 adults dancers and “augmented” by three children, Ballets With A Twist is certainly an unconventional dance group, Klaus inferred.
“This season, three children are in the Margarita dance. It takes place in the Southwest. It has a Latin flavor, where there are mythical goddesses, rocks, trees, and worshippers of the sun — such like what the Aztecs did. It’s somewhat like the Virgin Mary connected with the earth,” Klaus explained.
Even though Klaus has been a lifelong dancer and choreographer, she has been the choreographer for this particular dance group since 2009.
Next weekend, she brings her signature Ballets With A Twist performance, featuring several cocktail beverages such as Bloody Marys, Margaritas, White Russians, Zombies, and Shirley Temples, to the stage. Cocktail Hour has served other drinks such as Gimlets, White Russians, Holy Waters, Sputniks, Mint Juleps, and Manhattans, at other venues. Photo by Nico Malvaldi Seen here, the Bloody Mary cocktail performance, choreographed by Marilyn Klaus for Ballets With A Twist.
Ballets With A Twist is a New York dance company that has performed nationally and has received accolades of recognitions from news publications, such as The New York Times, The Huffington Post and The Wall Street Journal. Television stations, including New York City’s PIX11 Morning News and a television station in Cleveland, Ohio, have also raved about the nature of this dance company. They are talking about how Klaus puts a “twist” in her choreography.
Klaus’ dancers each represents cocktails as they perform. During rehearsal in the Fazioli Room at the one-year-old Hamilton Stage, three young kids practiced the Margarita dance with an adult, who was in costume as a Margarita and had the color of a Margarita in a wine glass.
“The children have to audition for the parts,” Klaus said. She said that their parents bring them to auditions.
Given the cultural phenomenon surrounding these dances and the stories that each performance tells, the company’s spokesperson said that parents are thrilled to see their children learning and doing what they enjoy on stage with professionals.
“There are non-alcoholic Shirley Temples and Roy Rogers for the children,” Klaus informed.
Klaus continued, “The children and the parents realize there’s a sense of humor and wittiness involved.” Photo by Nico Malvaldi Three children perform the Margarita for Ballets With A Twist dance company.
She cautioned that the children dance only the Margarita. She said it takes a lot of work for the children to practice the dances, but it is a chance for their individual characters to shine through. She explained that the children’s dances require a lot of stillness in the show. All three children said they enjoy dancing.
Larry McCullough is managing director of Hamilton Stage that seats 200 people. He said his brand new building for the performing arts has great lighting and is the right place for the performances.
Ballets With A Twist will be at the Hamilton Stage Oct. 25 to 27. For more information visit their website: www.balletswithatwist.com.
MONTCLAIR, N.J. — Like several U.S. public television stations, New Jersey Network, (NJN), struggled for funding, but lost in 2011 and is now New Jersey public Television, (NJTV), operating from college campuses.
Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey decided he no longer wanted to be in the television business. Therefore, in June 2011, he stopped state funds to the 43-year-old NJN and closed the State-owned building in Trenton. This forced several employees out of work and left NJN to find a new business location, a different schedule, a smaller workforce, and a new name.
Photo by Michelle Dryden John Servidio, general manager of NJTV, sits in a conference room at Montclair State University in March, where he discusses the operations of the new television station. He said that NJTV is doing well, but it needs money to continue to operate as an improved public television station in New Jersey.
John Servidio, general manager of NJTV and a Montclair resident, said that, “NJN was financed primarily by the State of New Jersey when it was in operation. Gov. Christie’s administration decided that it wasn’t wise for the State to be financing a station with a new show on it that was covering Gov. Christie and the administration so they stopped funding for that reason and to save some money.”
NJN had a staff of about 130 employees and operated on a yearly budget of approximately $33 million. When Gov. Christie cut funds to NJN, nearly all these employees were laid off. The governor hoped to save the state about $11 million, reports Peggy McGlone of The Star Ledger.
New Jersey’s new public television station now broadcasts mainly from Montclair State University, (MSU). Effective July 1, 2011, NJTV came on the air as an independent public television station that has a five-year contract with New York’s WNET Channel 13. WNET oversees NJTV’s programming, making it New Jersey centric, and also cost saving to New Jersey’s taxpayers, McGlone writes.
However, when NJTV first debuted, the ratings were lower because there were some New Jersey residents who believed it was now a New York property. NJTV has worked diligently to dispel that myth, said Servidio. The new network also suffered a bit at first because it had fewer staff members and a smaller budget. They have been operating with only 26 full-time journalists and on a budget of only about $9 million for fiscal year 2013.
Servidio said when New Jersey’s governor closed NJN, several companies put bids out to help develop a new network and WNET’s bid won. He said, “We had about a week, week and a half to put the station together.” However, they managed to set up the station by July 1, but it was not as professional as they would like it to be. With much fewer staff and great improvisation, he said that over 20 months, the station has improved and continues to get better.
Photo by Michelle Dryden The DuMont Television Center at Montclair State University houses the NJTV studios since July 1, 2011, when NJN lost state funding and its state-owned building.
Corporation for Public Broadcasting, (CPB), and Public Broadcasting Services, (PBS), currently are the primary financial supporters of NJTV, Servidio said. NJTV is among several U.S. public television stations that are under-funded by their states even though their main purpose is to gather content to serve their local communities.
The Jan. 29, 2007, U.S. Accountability Office Report shows that there are about more than 300 public television stations in the United States that evolved from a handful in the 1950s, and in 1952 the Federal Communication Commission, (FCC), decided that they should serve their communities locally.
The U.S. Accountability Office Report states that, “CPB’s primary responsibility is distributing federally appropriated funds to benefit public television and radio.” On the other hand, PBS is a nonprofit membership organization made up of licenses of public television stations. Fees paid by its member licensees, underwriting, and grants from CPB and other federal sources, fund PBS, the report states.
Larger public television stations, such as WNET of New York and WGBH of Boston, supply smaller public television stations with their programming. CPB and PBS do not necessarily produce programming. However, according to the report, “PBS acquires children’s and prime-time programming and operates a satellite-based interconnection system to distribute this programming to member licensees.”
Photo by Michelle Dryden Debra Falk is the director of communications at NJTV at Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J. She talks about the status of the new public television station, mentioning that it offers a variety of programming and has a great online presence.
Therefore, many public television stations broadcast some PBS prime-time and children’s programming, but some like NJTV, also improvise with content bureaus on various New Jersey state college campuses to find other content such as local programs that include community events and history, arts and culture, public affairs and also non-broadcast services that help teachers, said Debra Falk, NJTV director of communications.
Even though NJTV gets grants from CPB and PBS, it also improvises for additional funds. NJTV rents its satellite tower at the MSU campus to other channels such as the Food Network to bring in needed funds. It also gets money from corporations, foundations, and from individual memberships, pledge programs and others, Servidio said.
It is very important that public television remains local serving its immediate constituencies, report authors, Amber M. K. Smallwood and Soo Jung Moon, who write an article titled, “Predictors of Localism in Public Television in the United States,” that appears in the 2011 Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media.
Smallwood and Moon’s article discusses “the goals and direction of broadcasters across the United States, especially public television stations.” They also note that, “in media regulation, localism was intended to distribute power among local communities to promote a healthy democracy.”
When the governor of New Jersey closed NJN, there were some locals who questioned the call and said they found it to be highly political and not democratic enough. Greg Tift, a local resident and State of New Jersey employee said, “It all depends on conservatism and liberalism.”
He claims the current governor is republican, who is considered conservative, and so he wants to control the messages that go out over the airwaves while he is in office and that is why he closed NJN, which was considered a liberal news outlet.
Photo by Michelle Dryden Jim Hooker stands in front of New Jersey statehouse recently as a former news anchorman of NJN, the previous public television station in New Jersey. He speaks about how he handled the demise of the former station and what he is doing for employment now.
Former NJN Anchorman, Jim Hooker, also said there was a school of thought that NJN was closed to appease a wealthy political family in the north. However, Hooker also said the family denied the rumor.
Like many of his colleagues, Hooker did not immediately find new employment. He said he worked for a local political website, and then briefly as a writer for CBS in New York, before coming back to New Jersey where he found a more stable position as a chief of staff employee for a senator.
The City of Trenton North Ward Councilwoman, Marge Caldwell-Wilson, expressed dismay that the governor put so many well-known people who had became an institution in the community, out of work and left a vacant building in her ward in the city.
Photo by Michelle Dryden Marge Caldwell-Wilson is a City of Trenton courncilwoman for the North Ward. She is active in the community; seen here on a recent Wednesday evening at a Mill Hill District community meeting. Caldwell-Wilson also had opinions about the closing of NJN.
“It was very upsetting to find that the governor was not going to fund public television anymore. Apart from the fact that I miss the regular scheduled programs that were on NJN; I think they did an amazing job, but I am concerned about that empty building that’s just sitting there,” Caldwell-Wilson said.
Public television is among other media forms like newspapers and magazines that have financial challenges. Three authors, David D. Kurpius, Emily T. Metzgar, and Karen M. Rowley, try to analyze this crisis in their article, “Sustaining Hyperlocal Media: In search of funding models,” that appears in the journal of Journalism Studies.
These authors believe traditional media are shrinking because it is typical of a mature industry. They argue it is a gradual decline and that we must meet the challenge by trying to find alternative ways to fund new media.
They also note that it is good news for public television because they can fill the niche of providing the local news that traditional media no longer seem to be reporting in detail. Recently, more people are going online and traditional print media are losing advertising revenues.
They also state the newspaper advertising revenues dropped an estimated 23 percent over the past two years since 2010, but newspapers are trying to embrace their online communities.
Kurpius, Metzgar, and Rowley contend that public television has the advantage to remain hyperlocal and fill the news gap with local content and they too can have an online presence.
The U.S. Accountability Office Report states that, “today there are 349 public television stations, owned and operated by 173 licensees, which reach 98 percent of the households that have televisions.”
With hopes that NJTV will gain wider viewership, Falk of NJTV said that they have tried to improve the new public television network by broadcasting in high definition (HD) and also by creating a much better and more robust online presence.
Servidio said he hopes the station will get much better as the economy and viewership improve. Hooker, NJN former anchorman, said he believes NJTV will pass “something of a taste test” and will survive beyond five years.
