Archive for May, 2007

New Jersey Transit Works with Woodbridge

Published
by
vstrachan
on May 17, 2007
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

Mayor of Woodbridge, John E. McCormac confirmed that New Jersey Transit will be a partner in the second phase of the township’s plan to revamp its business district.

Woodbridge Township’s “visioning plan” includes a study that will identify areas of traffic congestion and parking resources that will encourage business and increase transportation accessibility for residents.

Mayor McCormac believes new parking options offered by the proposed plan will encourage people to use nearby trains. Because of this Woodbridge may even receive funds from New Jersey Transit.

If you would like to read more about this topic check here:   http://www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/WDBG_NEWS/mainstreetvisioningstudy.html 

 

Woodbridge Officials Predict Brighter Future

Published
by
vstrachan
on May 17, 2007
in Uncategorized
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Woodbridge officials have high hopes for the township’s downtown business district. Senator Joseph Vitale served as interim Mayor for Woodbridge Township for four months, after the death of Mayor Frank. G Pelzman. During this period he helped obtain a 50,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Community affairs, money that is now slated to help revitalize the downtown area of the township.

Senator Vitale hopes the Main Street Business district will lead to the renovation and restoration of historic buildings. The improvement of storefronts and new living opportunities above the storefronts.

“…the downtown area should always look to reinvent itself form time to time as an ongoing process of study, said Senator Vitale in reaction to the proposed plan.

Though Vitale is not working directly with development plan now, he says he will assist the local governing body in obtaining additional grants for other projects.

 If you want to read more about this article check here: http://www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/WDBG_NEWS/mainstreetvisioningstudy.html

Woodbridge Pushes Forward with Plan…

Published
by
vstrachan
on May 17, 2007
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

The “visioning plan” for Woodbridge township is well on its way to becoming a reality. Since the last article I posted the Municipal Council officially approved the township’s use of the New York based architectural firm, Argest and Gandelsonas.

The first phase of the transit -oriented plan includes three community based meetings. Mayor McCormac finally confirmed that the first meeting will start in June. Residents will have the opportunity to voice their opinions about the use of a 50,000 grant given to the township by the New Jersey Department of Community affairs.

If you would like to read more about this story click here: http://www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/WDBG_NEWS/mainstreetvisioningstudy.html

 

Museum Wing is Linked To the Seaport.

Published
by
metheridge
on May 17, 2007
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

The South Street Seaport Museum that is rich in it’s local history is honoring a new wing for the Seaport.

“With the near-completion of a $22 million gallery complex inside the early 19th-century buildings of Schermerhorn Row, the South Street Seaport Museum has sailed into greater prominence than ever before. The galleries lie on the top three floors of the Federal-style brick buildings on Fulton St. between Front and South Sts.”

For the full story on this visit:http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_25/museumsnewwing.html

The SOuth Street Museum is a great local place to visit. It is often a target for tourist but it is worth it for the locals to visit.

Go ahead, it may surprise you.

Really?? A Hotel in Greenpoint?

Published
by
abigail
on May 17, 2007
in Uncategorized
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A hotel is opening on the border of Greenpoint and Williamsburg. The hotel is located on the BQE at Withers st.. Not the most attractive of sites, but bottom line is some company be it a Days Inn or a Motel 8 has decided that there is money to be made in the area as they believe people from out of town would like to stay in the neighborhood.
The hotel is 7 stories tall and will have 54 rooms, its still early on but very exciting as it will surely raise opposition and  some eye brows.

 

Mega Mom

Published
by
skenney
on May 16, 2007
in Uncategorized
. 2 Comments

     Betty Hinton has eight adopted children, ranging in age from nine to 27. Her personal as well as professional life focuses on providing homes for children who do not have one. Ms. Hinton works for You Gotta Believe!, a not-for-profit organization that specializes in finding homes for the children of the NYC foster care system age 10 and up.
     Ms. Hinton speaks to prospective parents and can provide them with personal wisdom of what it means to bring a child into your home. Though she reminds them that “nothing can prepare you for actually parenting, hands-on is where you learn”.
     At 28 when Ms. Hinton adopted her first son, she describes a feeling of excitement. A teacher at the time, she thought that she was going to do great things, “make such a difference in their lives”.
She would buy gift after gift in an effort to make up for all that her son had missed out on. She recieved a phone call from his teacher one day informing her that he had been giving away his belongings to the other children.
     It was at this moment that she learned an important lesson. The material possessions did not matter to him. She learned that nothing she buys will make up for the past, nothing can. All she could do was be there for him. “I’m still gonna be here”, she said. That was what he needed. Now at 27, she still is there for him, she is still mom - to him and 7 others.

Know the facts when finding a Nanny job

Published
by
T Vaughan
on May 15, 2007
in Manhattan and Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

park

So you have decided that you are good with kids and you would like to become a nanny instead of working in an elementary school. The one on one situation suits you better. Some of the ways in which to go about finding yourself a job would be through an agency, an online nanny service or on your own; searching newspapers, walking the parks, pediatrician offices and other children/parent friendly atmospheres. After you have decided which route is best for you, find out what you will need and what to expect.

There are few laws that protect domestic workers, hence when entering the field make sure you know what you are getting into even if you are only doing the job to pay the bills and don’t intend to make a career of it. The NannyNetwork.com provides valuable legal information that many individuals entering the field are not aware of.

I conducted a survey in Thomas Moore Park in Chelsea and at the Chelsea Piers yesterday and was disappointed to find that approximately 60 percent of the 10 nannies interviewed did not get there taxes paid by their employers.

I then called a mentor of mine in the field to share the information with her and find out if her employers of six years paid her taxes and was told, “Taxes! Oh no they would never do that.”

Coming soon…a school dance festival

Published
by
skwong
on May 14, 2007
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

The students at the Benson Elementary school, P.S. 200 continues to rehearsal for the annual dance festival. This event allows students to show their creativity and school emphasizes on visual and performing arts as an extra cirriculum activity. The event will take place in the beginning of June on their first half day. This free event will be taken place outside on their school yard. Anyone and everyone is invited. Just show up early and get a good spot. Neighbors, friends, and families gather around the school yard to watch the children perform. Each grade performs to a different song that is chosen by the teachers of that grade level. The choreography is also taught by their teachers. But sometimes people from neighboring churches volunteer to help them out and contribute their ideas for the choreography and costumes. The costumes are usually simple. The students may paint or dye their shirts, wear colorful clothes, wear sunglasses, or some type of head wear that they create on their own. But the students in each grade has to have similar costumes or outfits. Here are some parent reviews of the school.

Where’s my Caribbean music?

Published
by
jreynolds
on May 14, 2007
in Brooklyn and Uncategorized
. 2 Comments

Caribbean music is full of rhythm and exotic beats played by all types of instruments, especially the steel pan. It is the type of music that you dance to, with sways, gyrations, foot-tapping and any other kind of movement that is in sync with the beat. Even though some of the Caribbean genres of music were derived from different nations, it has been embraced by all of the Caribbean. Some of the more popular genres are calypso, soca, reggae and zouk.

Many new songs of these genres are released during national celebrations like carnival. In New York, the West Indian Day Parade takes place on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn and is a version of carnival that is held in all the Caribbean nations, except as a united celebration. West Indians get a chance to meet friends and family that they had not seen in a long time, while enjoying the music, the costumes of the revellers and the wide variety of Caribbean food.

Those who want to enjoy the music on a regular basis and not just on the Labor Day weekend, must find other means. “I usually go on youtube and google to find the latest soca music,” said Shaun Caleb, an international student, “and I look forward to family gatherings when West Indian music is played.” Caleb also added that he can enjoy himself at clubs that play other genres, but a few West Indians songs would make it even better.

Others just go to nightclubs that play Caribbean music or have special themed nights while some go to house parties held by West Indians. “Some of the good clubs that West Indians party at in Brooklyn are The Base, Cafe Omar, Caribbean City, The Elite Ark, Temptations and Cafe 400,” said Christopher Polius, a Brooklyn resident, “they play good West Indian music.”

I personally just look forward to going home to Guyana where I can really enjoy the Caribbean experience on my own home soil. Although i like other genres of music, it make an effort to stay up to date with what’s hot in Caribbean music since it helps me fit right back in when I return home.

Planting Trees

Published
by
schow
on May 14, 2007
in Uncategorized
. 3 Comments

This morning around 9 AM when I was walking to the train station I passed by Lt. Joseph Petrosino Park and I noticed something unusual. Along the side of the park I saw a large quantity of soil dug up from the ground and when I looked up I saw six small trees leaning against the fence, ready to be planted. I also noticed that people who passed by the park on their way to the train station did not stop and take a look at what was happening.
I found this interesting yet unusual because I have lived in Bensonhurst for 21 years and I never saw trees being planted at the park or maybe because I never took the time to notice. I found this interesting because it means that there is someone or some people who actually do care about the park. I personally believed that people did not care because no actions were taken against the people who vandalized the park facilities or dumped illegal garbage there. After seeing new trees are being planted it made me feel happy because it meant someone probably requested a tree planting, but I also wondered whether others cared to know that new trees had been planted.

trees at park

Photo taken by Sandy.

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