newark live
DESCRIPTION
September 30, 2010 issueTRANSCRIPT
• • for the Month beginning thursday, sePt. 30, 2010y o u r c o m m u n i t y s o u r c e
o n l i n e at n j . c o m / n e wa r k
NEW
AR
KLive
nourishing minds, bodies
PaGe 4
2 | NEWARK LIVE | 09 30 10
CONTACT US
To submit photos and content, or to receive our electronic newsletter, drop us a line at [email protected].
Contributors: Natasha Parilla, Kris Seals, Carrie Stetler, Bruno R. Tedeschi and Christina M. Williams.
ON THE COVER: Maple Avenue School students get up close and personal with planting soil.
cover story
Nourishing minds, bodies:
Maple Avenue School partners
with medical center and nonprofit to
expand its nutrition-based
curriculum.
Page 4
this issueBT: The Last DaysArtist uses lense to document history.
North Ward CenterFive receive scholarships at 30th annual Puerto Rican Dinner.
Newark voicesPractical freedom.
Newark MuseumCitywide collegiates get a new kind of study hall.
plus10 Events
Welcome to Newark Live, your guide to everything in Newark. We’ll give you the latest news plus politics and entertainment in the words of the people who make the Brick City a hot spot. We publish on the second and fourth Thursdays, and you can find Newark Live at convenient locations throughout the City.
5
10
11
onlineCheck us out:
nj.com/newark
Newark Live is here!
Whether you live, work or just plan to visit Brick
City, we have a place on the web for you. This
electronic guide offers breaking news, neighbor-
hood life, entertainment, politics, development,
education and real estate.
Right now, you can see blogs
from The Star-Ledger’s Barry
Carter and Joan Whitlow,
Newark Recreation, The
Newark Museum, Lisa Dur-
den, Kris Seals, Antoinette
Ellis-Williams and Pastor Rick
Greene, of Charity Baptist
Church, to name a few.
You’ll also find lots of opportunities
to share your news and opinions.
We all know that there’s plenty to talk about in
this city, and Newark Live is the place to do it.
Tell us what you want to see — good, bad
or ugly — by posting comments. Also,
be sure to check back with us frequently
to see what’s on the horizon.
Let us know what you want the site to
be. Together, we’ll have Newark covered.
See you online.
Chanta L. Jackson
Editor
(973) 392-7849
TO ADVERTISE in Newark Live,Contact Ralph Branch at (973) 392-4033
or e-mail [email protected]
Chanta L. JacksonEditor, Newark Live
11
09 30 10 | NEWARK LIVE | 3
Mr. Glen T. Pinder, Executive DirectorMr. K. Anthony Thomas, Board of Trustees President
Structure | Peace | Accountability | Results | CommunityS.P.A.R.C. ignites the academic ßame of empowerment that lights our path to a better future.
Lady LibertyAcademy Charter
School has student openings for
Kindergarten for the 2010-2011 SY.
Applications are now being accepted.
Any other parent who would like
for their child to receive a quality
education can call to be put on the
waiting list. Please call 973-623-9005
for more information.
4 | NEWARK LIVE | 09 30 10
MINDS, BODIES
By NAtAshA PARRILLA
In the summer of 2009, Maple Avenue school became very involved with the concept of nutrition and wellness -- from a small farmers market in the schoolyard to a develop-ment of a core curriculum. For the past year, selected classes have included a comprehensive science and math curriculum to help stu-dents understand the mys-tery of nutrition.
As a math/science ele-mentary school teacher at
the Maple Avenue school in Newark, I developed the Growing Minds Program, which was created to help students and their parents/guardians improve their understandings about nutri-tion, making healthy food choices, and promoting healthy cooking at home. By participating in the pro-gram, the hope was also to increase parental participa-tion and interaction in the schools. Funding was made possible by the collabora-tion and support of slow Food Northern New Jersey and the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. thanks to
the generous donation of 13 earth boxes from slow Food Northern New Jersey, the program will continue in 2010. Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, under the leadership of Dr. John Brennan, shaped the mis-sion of the program to nur-ture a foundation of learn-ing about healthy living and nourishing communication among families through nutrition and wellness by families growing vegetables at home.
superintendent Dr. Clifford B. Janey has sup-ported the program, which
began in June and will end in October, in his efforts to sustain healthy living and eradicate childhood obesity. In order to participate, par-ents were required to grow and care for vegetables with their family. Also parents and students attended a workshop and were given informational packets and a tutorial video on how to use their earth boxes, both indoors or outdoors. to get everyone started, slow Food gave participants tomato and basil plants to grow in their earth boxes. Newark Beth Israel donated nutri-tional information and bags
containing first aid kits. In addition, participants were asked to complete pre- and post-surveys, a garden jour-nal about their experiences and they also participated in an online community creat-ed for the Adopt-A-Box Program.
As another element of the program, Margaret Noon, leader of slow Food Northern New Jersey, brought fresh vegetables from the farm for students to eat during the workshop.
Maple Avenue school partners with medical center and nonprofit to expand its nutri-tion-basedcurriculm.
NO
UR
ISH
ING
Natasha Parrilla uses the KidsFit program to teach Maple Avenue students about nutrition.
see SCHOOL, Page 8
09 30 10 | NEWARK LIVE | 5
231-251 SEYMOURAVENUE • NEWARK,NEW JERSEY • 973-242-5344
Reverend Ralph M. Branch Jr., Pastor
A warm welcome awaits you at all of our services!
Weekly Services
Sunday Church School
9:30am all ages welcome!
SundayWorship Service
10:55am
Bible Study
Tuesdays at 6:00pm & Wednesdays at 6:30pm
Visit us online at Operationtakebacknj.org
By CARRIE STETLER
The Baxter Terrace hous-ing projects are empty now. Mid-way through its demoli-tion, all that’s left is a ghost town beside a mountain of rubble.
But before the wrecking crew arrived, Akintola Hanif, a photojournalist and film-maker, came to document life here. In his photo exhib-it, “BT: The Last Days,’’ Hanif presents a stark, often tender, study of survivors among the desolation.
When Hanif began pho-tographing Baxter Terrace in 2008, he saw the usual signs of urban decay: Dark hallways scrawled with graf-fiti and littered with crack vials. Drug dealers, Crips and addicts wandered among poor families and elderly residents.
But Hanif’s photos pres-ent children at play, loving parents and gang members with their guards down. He photographed them for over a year, acting as both witness-bearer and portrait artist.
“What I saw were people who were had this tremen-dous determination to sur-vive under circumstances that most of us wouldn’t be able to last in,’’ says Hanif,
who works from this Newark-based studio, called Hycide. “I saw people that were loyal to each other and compassionate, that had been dealt a hand that was harder than their hearts.’’
Demolition began last year on the dilapidated 70-year-old projects, built on 14 acres that are sched-uled to be redeveloped as mixed-income housing. Residents were given Section 8 vouchers to find new housing, but many still stay in touch. Hanif, who lives in Orange, document-ed their reunion in August, a block party held around the corner from their old home.
As projects like Baxter Terrace are leveled through-out the city and the nation, Hanif believes it’s vital to create a visual record of them.
“Anything related to black culture and history, I want to document,’’ says Hanif, who is also working on a film about Baxter Terrace. His exhibit, on view at his studio for the next few months, was featured in the Newark Arts Council’s Open Doors event, which showcased city artists last week.
Although Hanif jokes,
“I’m no projectologist,’’ this isn’t the first time he’s focused on project life. His first exhibit in 2005, titled “Aracadian Gardens: The Bity: A Photo Journal of Life and Death in East Orange,’’ centered around the projects where his cous-ins became members of the Bloods gang. (Residents call it “little city,’’ which morphed into “the bity,’’ Blood slang for “city,’)’
“Arcadian Gardens’’ pre-miered at the well-known Eyejammie Fine Arts Gallery in Manhattan, opened by Bill Adler, a former Def Jam executive and hip-hop/street art impresario.
Hanif grew up in middle-class Brooklyn Heights before moving to the much rougher neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant at age nine. As a child in the 1980s, he was involved in New york’s graffiti arts move-ment, where he had brushes with Andy Warhol and Deborah Harry. He switched to photography in his late-twenties and began docu-menting urban subcultures.
For nearly a decade, he’s been photographing New Jersey gang members, but he also does camera work for area non-profits, such as youthBuild Newark, a voca-tional and academic pro-gram for low-income teens
and young-adults, His title there is “resident documen-tarian.’’
Hanif’s mission is to remind outsiders, as well as his subjects, that love and hope can exist amid depri-vation and brutality.
“In Baxter Terrace, you see drug dealers and addicts, but within them are these beautiful people that are more like us than not, and who just want to be successful,’’ he says. “All of them talked about wanting the American Dream, to escape to a better life.’’
Former Baxter Terrace resident yusef Ismail, would agree. Ismail, executive director of Stop Shootin’ Inc., a prominent Newark anti-violence organization, is one of Hanif’s subjects.
“Three generations of my family lived in Baxter Terrace. When I look at the buildings, I see my whole life--my friends, my family, my childhood,’’ says Ismail. “I see all the beautiful parts that everyone else can’t see.’’
Artist uses lense to document history
AkintolA HAnif
Part of BT: The Last Days. James Baxter Terrace Housing exhibit.
AkintolA HAnif
“Community Mother” is part of BT: The Last Days. James Baxter Terrace Housing exhibit.
6 | NEWARK LIVE | 09 30 10
226 Grant Avenue, East Newark, NJ973.481.3646
Open 7 days • parking On premisesm���t�� f�o� th� nJ p��fo����� a�t�C��t�� ��� Ho��to� T���� st�t�o�
www.��c��c���t�����t.co�
resTauranT & BarCHarCOal piT
Zagat Rated 2007-2008
Take-Out Available
s��c����z��� i�SEAFOOD & BBQ(Spareribs &Whole Chicken)
Catering, On & Off Premises
2008-2009
www.nj.com/newark/
THE STAR-LEDGER
www.maizerestaurant.com
Dinner Served 7 Days • Pre-Performance Menu Available
50 Park Place • Newark • 973-733-2202
Enjoy our… New Menu withPortuguese Specialities
Lunch • Dinner • Cocktails
On & Off Premise Catering • ABUNDANT PARKING
The Perfect LocationFor Your Very Special & Unique Party
Call for information
Monday to Friday 11:30 to 3 pmEnjoy our
Spectacular Lunch BuffetIncluding Coffee & Dessert
$15.00 per person(plus tax & gratuity)
Best Western Robert Treat Hotel
www.rthotel.comGuest Room Reservations1-800-Best-Western
Come and see our first class facilities
The BestWestern RobertTreat Hotel is the perfect venuefor your wedding, organizational event, business meeting,or special event.A unique area landmark, with top-flightfacilities, the Hotel combines an understated elegance withexceptional service, to turn any party or gathering into aspecial lifelong memory.
Whether you are planning an intimate reception for 10 ,a dinner for 50, or a grand celebration for 1,000,The BestWestern RobertTreat Hotel can fulfill you needs perfectly.
Let us show you how, call today.
50 Park Place, Newark NJ 07102973-622-1000 Banquet office: 1-800-569-2300
D I N I N GN e w a r k
Just FishCaféBy GUY KIPP
Fourmonths after its grandreopening, Just FishCafé hasestablished itself as the go-to placefor seafood, chicken and soul foodat its new location, 57WilliamSt. indowntownNewark.
Just Fishwas closed for threemonths earlier this year as itmade itstransition from its former location onSouthOrangeAvenue to its newdigsin the heart of the BrickCity.
“Wehave the same great foodand servicewe always did, butwe’rein a better facility now,” saidGarySimpson, the owner of Just FishCafé. “We’re a stone’s throw fromthe Prudential Center, and, whenyou’re here, you think you’re at a finerestaurant inNewYork.”
Just Fish actually belies itsmoniker, offering a range of tasty farefor dining in, carrying out or catering
special events.The restaurant is known for its
Slammin’MegaComboof shrimp,fish, scallops,macaroni and cheese,crab cakes, yams, collard greens andcornbread.
“We also feature catfish, tilapiaand a full assortment of fish,”Simpson said. “Andwedo soul food.People enjoy the oxtails asmuch asthe fish.We also offer chicken andwings, and, becausewe know some
people are health-conscious, all ourmeals can be either fried or baked.”
Just Fish operated on SouthOrangeAvenue for 13 years, but itsnew location is, in Simpson’s view,“a definite upgrade. It’s a classierplace now. It’s a warm atmosphere.We have live jazz on Friday nights,expensiveAfrican art on thewallsand a big-screenTV.”
You also can get breakfast at JustFishCafe. Sevenmornings aweek,
the restaurant serves pancakes, fishand grits beginning at 8 a.m.
Just Fish accepts allmajor creditcards and is wheelchair accessible.Just Fishwill cater events offpremises, and the restaurant offersdeliveries to businesses.
The restaurant is open from8a.m. to 10 p.m.Monday throughThursday; from8 a.m. to 11 p.m.on Friday and Saturday; and from8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Is proud to now offer
WEBORDERINGFOR ALL DELIVERIES & PICK UPS
NOWAVAILBLECASH & CHARGE OK
AT www.planetwings.comPlanet Wings Of Newark
Located At
677 Broad Street • Newark NJ973-565-0088
09 30 10 | NEWARK LIVE | 7
8 | NEWARK LIVE | 09 30 10
One student, a 10-year-old, fourth-grader stated, “I never had such sweet tast-ing carrots before and I can’t wait to start growing tomatoes.” In addition, she offered advice to parents and students about the best environment to grow toma-toes and basil. All were appreciative of the chance to grow their own food.
Armed with information and their earth boxes, fami-lies had great success grow-ing tomatoes and basil in their back yards. Some were so successful, like the Moore family, who already had one harvest of tomatoes and even shared them with their neighbors.
“The tomatoes were juicy and delicious, but the best part was watching them grow with the family,” said Ms. Moore, whose daughter, Mia, is in kindergarten at Maple Avenue School. Mia was so excited about grow-ing her own vegetables that her mom recorded her sing-ing, “we’re growing......we’re growing ......gonna eat some tomatoes.....oh yeah.”
The family also grew let-tuce and collard greens. It was a great summer for the Moore family as they experi-enced the advantages of growing their own food. Another added benefit is that they saved money at the grocery store and the activity of growing their own food brought the fami-ly and their neighbors together. The Moore family said they would love to do the program next year and recommended that others take part.
Maple Avenue School’s successful program was born out of the March 26, 2010 Eat, Grow & Go! nutri-tional event. The goal of the program was to spread the news throughout the school and community about healthier choices and ways to achieve those goals. The
students, staff, parents and community learned a lot on that day. Event participants were organized into three groups -- eat stations, grow stations and go stations.
In the eat stations, Slow Food Northern New Jersey had farm affiliates Plaid Piper Farm and Starbrite donate fresh organic car-rots, turnips and potatoes to the event. Many of the students had never eaten turnips. “I have never had turnips, what are they?” said one third-grader.
Students ate fresh foods in delight, as all were sur-prised that students liked them, including raw turnips with vegetable dip. One parent, Teishawanna Hughes, stated, “I didn’t know turnips could be eaten raw.”
In addition to the raw vegetables, students from Newark Vocational High School prepared a delicious wheat penne pasta with fresh peppers and pesto sauce, along with a garden salad and a side of balsamic vinaigrette dressing. This dish was a new healthier alternative for many.
“I feel like royalty and I’m in a four-star restaurant,” said Mr. Hughes, a parent.
The grow stations were operated by farmer John of Starbrite, who taught stu-dents how to grow their own potatoes in a bucket. He explained that this is an inexpensive and realistic option. Students learned there are more than 8,000 species of potatoes and how to grow them on their own. In addition to the instruction, farmer John was generous enough to give the school buckets, soil and fertilizer, which could be used to start their own .
“When I grow up, I want to be a farmer,” said one second-grader after the pre-sentation.
Another element of the
Maple Avenue student samples fresh produce from area farmers.
SCHOOLCONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
See NUTRITION, Page 9
09 30 10 | NEWARK LIVE | 9
St Johns Church973-623-0822
NEWARK EXTENDED CARE
973-483-6800You are invited to….
THE BIBLE IS RIGHTNEWARK CHURCH OF CHRIST
Clinton Avenue & 14th Street • Newark, NJ
973-374-4563 • www.newarkchurchofchrist.org
Dr. Eugene Lawton – Minister
BE OUR GUEST - HEAR SOME GREAT
PREACHING FROMTHE BIBLERadio Program Sunday, 2:30p.m. onWMCA, 570 AM on the dial.
Cable Television Program Sunday 7:00p.m. to 7:30p.m. Channel 190 in Jersey City, NJ
Mia Moore of Maple Avenue School started the Growing Minds program las year in Pre-Kindergartner. As part of the program, her fam-ily grew vegetables in their back yard in the earthboxes over the summer.
grow station was earth boxes. For this portion, there was a keynote presenter who spoke to students about how the earth boxes work. Lettuce and radishes were used as examples. Students also learned about capillary action of the plants and the box’s self-watering system. The Plaid Piper Farm supplied chickens and provided information regarding their lifecycle while allowing the students to pet the chickens.
The final station was called go, which featured a 21st-
century run through the park using the Wii Fit system. There was a jeopardy game using the smart board about nutrition. Allied Health from Weequahic High School offered blood pressure screenings and tracked vital statis-tics for adults. There were also packaged books provided by Scholastic about health and nutrition that were accom-panied by a letter to families from Superintendent Janey. There was a Kidsfit station designed to teach students about keeping fit and giving information in living a healthy life.
Maple Avenue parents were enthusiastic about the opportunity to be a participant in the Kidsfit program, which had previously been administered within the hospi-tal complex. Kidsfit is a comprehensive fitness program designed to help children maintain a nutritious diet and is a measurable instructional tool that will be connected to science, physical education and health curriculum in Newark Public Schools. Among the Kidsfit presenters was Dr. Nwando Anyaoku, director of General Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital, an affiliate of the Saint Barnabas Health Care system. When Dr. Anyaoku arrived at the children’s hospital, she said she realized that many of the small chil-dren whom she was administering medical care to were already on the path to childhood obesity. Children also were beginning to show symptoms of medical issues, such as childhood diabetes which was associated with not only poor nutrition, but overeating. With the support of the chairman of medicine under the leadership of Dr. Rosenblatt, the team began to create a program that would address the issue of obesity in a multidiscipline approach involving community -- parents and the child – while putting participants on the path to wellness and being physically fit.
As we look toward the future, the 2010 Kidsfit program will kick off in October. The school will have a nutritionist on staff for the school year who will help students, parents and staff learn about nutrition and healthier lifestyle choic-es. The program is expected to reach Maple Avenue Schools’ 553 students, ranging from grades pre-K to eighth. “I have heard so much about this program, I can’t wait for it to start,” said Katiana Ward, parent of a third-grader. “My family will learn how to eat healthier and become active.”
In additions to the Kidsfit program, Slow Food Northern New Jersey will be renewing the Growing Minds grant at Maple Avenue School for the 2010-2011 school year, which will include a field trip to a farm. This field trip will be par-ticularly valuable for past student participants, who will be able to take what they have learned about growing foods in the 2009-2010 school and see it in practice on a farm. Students will also create raised beds at the side entrance of Maple Avenue School that will consist of herbs, fruits and vegetables in the spring.
As the school year gets under way, organizers and sponsors hope that these programs will ensure healthy success and academic achievement in Newark Public Schools while nourishing minds and bodies.
NUTRITIONCONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
10 | NEWARK LIVE | 09 30 10
By BRuNo R. TEdEschI
The North Ward center awarded five scholarships at its 30th annual Puerto Rican scholarship dinner attended by the state’s new acting education commissioner.
The scholarships, valued at $1,000, were awarded to four college students and one high school student.
The annual scholarship dinner was started in 1980 to recognize students of Puerto Rican descent who have exhibited academic excellence and triumphed over adversity.
“We hope the scholar-ships will help these stu-dents advance their educa-
tions,” said stephen N. Adubato, the founder of The North Ward center and the Robert Treat Academy charter school. “But equally important, we need to rec-ognize and honor the tal-ented and smart students in our community and hold them out as role models.”
Acting state Education commissioner Rochelle hendricks told the guests assembled under the tent Thursday at The North Ward center that she was glad to be part of the effort to improve education in Newark.
“There are exceptional things going on in Newark. you have my promise that it will not only continue at schools like Robert Treat
Academy, but we’ll get that kind of first class education at all our schools in Newark,” hendricks said. “The movement for children is unstoppable.”
Adrianne davis, the co-founder of The North Ward center, said the annual scholarship dinner is an event everyone looks for-ward to because it showcas-es young members of the community.
“These students have achieved so much in their lives and are such great ambassadors for our city,” davis said. “We are confi-dent they will achieve the goals they have set for themselves.”
one of the award win-ners, christine Gutierrez, an Essex county college stu-dent majoring in early child-hood education, said she is looking forward to building strong, positive connections with children.
“I am glad that my expe-riences have made me the person that I am today - a strong independent Puerto Rican woman with no fears of what lies ahead,” Gutierrez said.
christian santiago, a freshman at Rutgers university – Newark, said he hopes to eventually start his own non-profit organization and improve education for inner city kids.
santiago, who attended science Park high school in Newark, says participating
in the North Ward center youth Leadership development and Recreation Program was a positive influence for him.
“I was lucky enough to have an alternative route, The North Ward center,” santiago said. “This pro-gram guided me through my childhood as I partici-pated in both basketball and baseball. I want other kids to have the opportunity I had so they can make it out of these rough neigh-borhoods and have success-ful careers.”
Melissa Picon, a freshman at clark university in Worcester, Ma., will be pur-suing a pre-med path. she has already volunteered several times in Tanzania at an all-girls orphanage. she attended Miss Porter’s school, an all-girls prepara-tory school in Farmington, conn., after graduating from Robert Treat Academy charter school in Newark, which was founded by The North Ward center.
“My Farmington days are over, and when I look back on how I came to find my newest heaven on earth, the place that comes to mind is the Robert Treat Academy,” Picon said. “I have never for-gotten where I started off or where I came from because my roots brought me through this journey.”
Maria Moreno, an Essex county college student, is an education major who will be the first to graduate col-
lege in her family. Moreno came to the united states at a young age speaking lit-tle English but excelled throughout school.
“As a Puerto Rican and an inner-city youth with my college degree, I intend on making something of my life,” Moreno said. “I was not blessed with the opportuni-ty to grow up in the most perfect neighborhood and not many where I come from make it to college. however, I am blessed with the opportunity to attend college and for that reason I aim to complete my Bachelor’s degree in educa-tion.”
Moreno overcame the hardships of being a teen-age mom and did not give up on her college dreams. Now the mother of two, she has worked hard to support her children and is now able to enroll in college.
Tyler ofray, a high school freshman at The school at church Farm in Paoli, Pa., participated in the North Ward center basketball pro-gram since age 4 and hopes to become a professional coach.
“Newark, N.J., The North Ward center, my mom and my brother have all taught me that I can achieve any-thing and become whatever I want, with the right mind-set,” said ofray, who gradu-ated from Robert Treat Academy in June. “I have been looked down upon and doubted but under-
stand that obstacles are only a part of life.”
Two of the scholarships are named after two promi-nent community leaders who passed away last year: Federico Velez and state Assemblyman Eric Munoz.
Velez was an attorney with an office on Bloomfield Avenue in Newark. he served on the board of trustees of The North Ward center and first got involved with the center after attending a scholarship din-ner. his daughter, Bridget, presented the scholarship in his name.
Munoz was a trauma sur-geon and professor of sur-gery at the university of Medicine and dentistry of New Jersey. he served on the city council of his home-town of summit before being appointed to a vacant seat in the state Assembly in 2001. he was elected to four terms. he was a long-time friend of The North Ward center.
The other award present-ers were Alejandro Echevarria, principal of Broadway Elementary school, dina Velez, principal of Abington Avenue school, Marcelino Trillo, vice princi-pal of Robert Treat Academy charter school and Ivan Lamourt, a Newark Public schools Advisory Board Member and a coun-selor at st. Benedict’s Prep. state sen. Teresa Ruiz host-ed the event.
North Ward Center awards five scholarships at 30th Annual Puerto Rican Dinner
Bruno r. Tedeschi
The North Ward Center awarded five scholarships during the 30th Annual Puerto Rican Scholarship Dinner. In the front row, from left to right: Acting Education Commissioner Rochelle Hendricks, Christine Gutierrez, Maria Moreno, Melissa Picon, North Ward Center Executive Director Michele Adubato. In the back row, from left to right: Christian Santiago and Tyler Ofray.
BOOKS
NEWARKNEW JERSEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, 1 center st., www.njpac.org or (888) 466-5722. 2010 Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival, readings, dis-cussions, conversations and related activities, with guest poets including u.s. poet laure-ates Mark strand, Rita dove,
Billy collins and Kay Ryan, oct. 7-10. $10-$60.
COMEDY
NEWARKPRUDENTIAL CENTER, 165 Mulberry st. (Edison Place, Lafayette and Mulberry streets), www.prucenter.com or (201) 507-8900. Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall, Larry the Cable Guy,
oct. 22. $59.50.
COMMUNITY
NEWARKBEST WESTERN / ROBERT TREAT HOTEL, 50 Park Place,
www.rthotel.com or (973) 622-1000. 6th Annual Scholarship Jazz Brunch and Silent Auction, fundraiser for the Audrey West Foundation Inc. scholarship fund featuring Jazz Express Band and Pat Tandy, oct. 3.
$75. Fashion Extravaganza and Cancer Awareness Show, with live entertainment by Gary “LiL Gee” Jenkins and stephon Johnson; formal attire required, oct. 24. $35.
ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE, 303 university Ave., www.essex.edu or (973) 877-3000. Creating A Movement for Education Reform, series of panel discus-sions designed to transform
education in New Jersey, sept. 30 through May 22.
MOUNT PLEASANT CEMETERY, 375 Broadway, newarkcemeter-ies.com/mtpleasant.php or (973) 483-0288. Cemetery Tour, guid-ed tour of the final resting place of Newark historical figures
see EVENTS, Page 11
09 30 10 | NEWARK LIVE | 11
Newark VOICeSBy KRIs sEALs
“Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should.” I try to keep that thought in mind when I go about my daily routine. It seems quite rudimentary, but can be quite practical considering what is happen-ing in the world.
On september 11, 2010, the United states and the rest of the world will remember the events of nine years ago, when over 3,000 people lost their lives in the most devastating ter-rorist attack of the 21st Century. Typically, the anni-versary is marked by som-ber displays of reflection. However, there is more anger than solemnity right now.
One issue surrounds the mosque to be built right near ground zero. Protestors feel that a mosque near the site would support the reli-gion of Islam that the ter-rorists followed, and there-fore would make their mis-sion a success. Not so. Firstly, there is a mosque inside the Pentagon, which was also hit on september 11th, 2001. secondly, most of the protestors are Christians. More people have been murdered in the name of that religion than for any other reason.
As for supporters of the mosque, here is how it breaks down. yes, they defi-nitely have the right to build a mosque per the laws of the country. Contrary to what people think, Muslims in America have rights, just like Caucasians in America, who instead of crashing planes into buildings, merely pushed the Native Americans - remember them - out of the way.
If you really want to pre-vent the mosque from get-ting built, then I suggest you use what dictates everything else in the UsA,
and that is money. If some-one has enough money, they can do anything, including building a mosque. All you have to do is spend more than the peo-ple behind the mosque to force them to move. Don’t think it can happen? Two words: Eminent Domain, aka Manifest Destiny (Ask a Native American.)
Another thing supporters of the mosque should think of is this: years ago, there was an NBA player by the name of Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, formerly known as LsU star point guard Chris Jackson. While playing for the Denver Nuggets, Abdul-Rauf protested the national anthem by refusing to stand. Hakeem Olajuwon, a fellow believer in Islam, opposed the stance of Abdul-Rauf, and stated that being a good Muslim meant being a good citizen. After hearing that, Abdul-Rauf did stand for the national anthem, in silent prayer.
The point? While the developers have the right to build the mosque near ground zero, just like Abdul-Rauf had the right to pro-test, does not mean that it is a worthwhile idea. Abdul-Rauf was open to compro-mise, and so should the developers. If there is another site a little farther away, then try putting the mosque there. Also, I have no problem with the devel-opers saying, “If you give us X amount of money, we will move.”
Last but not least, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf - no rela-tion to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf that I know of - sug-gested on “Larry King Live” that moving the mosque may be used by radicals to convey a message that Islam is “under attack.” No. Radicals are going to try and get recruits whether the mosque gets built or not. The Imam is trying to use a reasonable approach. While I can certainly respect that, there is NO reasoning with Islamic radicals.
For example, suppose if the mosque is built. The radicals will then say: “We have a mosque near our great victory. The will of America is weakening. Now is the time to finish them off! Allah Akbar!” These rad-icals will spread their propa-ganda regardless.
Finally, there is a pastor in Florida who is threatening to burn Korans. If God told this guy that burning a book would serve HIs divine pur-pose, then the pastor is just as crazy.
President Obama basi-cally said that due to our laws, we cannot do anything to stop him even though he may endanger the lives of troops. WHAT Is WRONG WITH OUR LAWs?! If I say an F-word on network tele-vision, it may cost me $500,000 in fines, but if I burn a Koran, which could cost soldiers their lives, it’s all good?! Barack, read care-fully. Arrest him for inciting a riot.
As for those potential terrorists who want to go crazy if he does burn the book, then read this. “An eye for an eye.” That is in Islam, right. so, if he burns a Koran, then instead of KILLING PEOPLE, you burn his favorite religious book! some have burned the Us flag already in the Middle East to protest the pastor. That’s fine by me. Flags can be replaced, and so can Korans, just as long as you don’t kill anyone!
Just because you can build a mosque anywhere, doesn’t mean you should. Just because you can burn a Koran, doesn’t mean you should. Just because your beliefs suggest it’s okay to kill, doesn’t mean you should. you have freedom, just be practical about it. This is dedicated to those who lost their lives over perverted beliefs that do not and will NEVER honor any God...”Thou shalt not kill.”
Practical freedomBy CHRIsTINA M. WILLIAMs
Now that colleges and universities are back in session, the streets around the Newark Museum are bustling with eager students ready to broaden their horizons.
The Newark Museum will soon be offer-ing study Hall every Wednesday from 2 to 7 p.m., beginning september 29. Exclusive to Newark college students and faculty, free admittance will be by college ID. Faculty and students are welcomed to take advan-tage of the free WIFI in Engelhard Court and outside in the sculpture garden.
“study Hall at the Newark Museum was created as an alternate and unique place to study or hold group meetings. If you feel the need to get inspired, the Museum’s gal-leries will be open until 5 p.m.,” said Pendelton.
If there is an event in the Court, study Hall will be moved to the Auditorium.
In addition, seeking to introduce the stu-dents to the many facets of learning it pro-vides, the Museum earlier this week held a College Open House for students and facul-ty from Newark’s six institutions of higher learning: Rutgers-Newark, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Essex
County Community College, Berkeley College, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) and seton Hall Law.
The event featured special tours of the Newark Museum’s 80 galleries, including the national premiere exhibition of Gustav stickley and the American Arts & Crafts Movement. Raffle prizes and light refresh-ments were offered. After the College Open House event concluded, participants were able to join the Newark Museum staff at the city’s Halsey street Block Party.
“We’ve created the Open House because many students are not fully aware of the art and science resources inside our doors, nor are they aware that the Newark Museum is free to them,” said Wanda Pendelton, Community Relations Manager at the Newark Museum. “students and faculty at our colleges are a vital part of our local community.”
students need only show a valid college ID for free admission. Free WIFI in both the Engelhard Court and the outdoor sculpture garden is also available.
For more information about college events, please contact Wanda Pendelton at (973) 596-6631 or email [email protected].
Newark Museum offers college students a new type of study hall
Peter Ballantine, John F. Dryden and Frederick T. Frelinghuysen, Oct. 3 through Nov. 28.
NEWARK MUSEUM, 49 Washington st., (973) 596-6529. “Origins of Life,” recommended for adults and ages 10 and older, sept. 30 through Oct. 1. $5; $3 ages 12 and younger, senior citizens, college students. “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure,” recommended for ages 4-6, Oct. 2 through Nov. 21. $5; $3 ages 12 and young-er, senior citizens, college students. “Secret of the Cardboard Rocket,” recommended for ages 6-9, Oct. 2 through Nov. 21. $5; $3 ages 12 and younger, senior citizens, college students. “Black Holes,” recommended for adults and ages 10 and older, Oct. 2 through Nov. 24. $5; $3 ages 12 and younger, senior citizens, college students.
NEWARK PUBLIC LIBRARY, 5 Washington st., www.npl.org or (973) 733-7784. “Latina Voices and Visions’, paintings, photographs, books, and magazine and news articles by Hispanic women in American and Latin American society, through Dec. 31.
RAMADA PLAZA HOTEL, 160A Frontage Road, (973) 589-1000. 2010 Friends of Old Time Radio Convention, live recreations of radio dramas, historical panels and memorabilia, Oct. 21-24. $20-$72.
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY - NEWARK, 185 University Ave., www.newark.rutgers.edu or (973) 353-5901. “Raising Status: How Jazz Was Accepted as High Art and Swedish Cultural Politics, 1950-1975,” Jazz Research Roundtable program with Alf Arvidson, Oct. 6. Wycliffe Gordon and Eric Reed, trombonist and pianist perform in Institute of Jazz studies free concert, Oct. 26. Lewis Porter and Vincent Gardner, pianist and trombonist per-form in Institute of Jazz studies concert, Oct. 27.
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, NEWARK, 350 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., www.newark.rutgers.edu or (973) 353-7610. “Art and Disaster: Hurricane Katrina Five Years Later,” symposium with dis-cussions and readings of poems, oral histories and stories and presentations of film clips, sept. 30.
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, NEWARK CAMPUS, 350 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., robeson.rutgers.edu or (973) 353-5300. “Art and Disaster: Hurricane Katrina Five Years Later,” featuring discussions and reading of poems, oral histories and stories, and presentations of film clips related to the disaster, sept. 30.
THE NEWARK CLUB, 1 Newark Center, (973) 242-0658. Beyond Today Tricky Tray, fund raiser for at-risk students, Oct. 21. $55 for 5 seats, $25 for 2 seats.
WASHINGTON PARK, Washington and Broad streets, (973) 733-3900. “Wednesdays at Washington Park,” open-air market with food vendors, live music and cultural demonstrations, Oct. 6.
EVENTSCONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
12 | NEWARK LIVE | 09 30 10
111th Annual Feast of Saint Gerard
Feast:Thursday,October 14th, 2010Friday,October 15th, 2010Saturday,October 16th, 2010Sunday,October 17th, 2010
Processions:Saturday,October 16th, 1:30pmSunday,October 17th, 2:30pm
Novena Begins:Thursday,October 7th, 7:00pm
Anointing ofThe Sick: Tuesday, October 12thBlessing ofWomen Praying to Conceive: Wednesday, October 13thBlessing of Expectant Mothers: Thursday, October 14thBlessing of New Born Babies: Friday, October 15th
Accommodations are available for bus groups • Secured parking on church premisesFor more information 973-482-6663
dddd OO bb 1111222 hhh
National Shrine of Saint Gerard 18 7th Avenue, Newark, NJ973-482-6663 www.saintlucy.net
– All Are Welcome –
Friday, October 15th 8:00pm - 10:00pm JERSEY SOUND www.jerseysound.comSaturday, October 16th 2:00pm - 5:00pm THE CAMEO’S www.thecameos.com
7:00pm - 10:00pm SOULED OUTSunday, October 17th 2:00pm - 6:00pm FRANK PIOMBO AND ANGELO UCCELLO
www.riggyentertainment.com8:00pm - 10:00pm JERSEY SOUND www.jerseysound.com
NEW ENTERTAINMENT 2010 FEAST OF SAINT GERARDJersey Sound, Souled Out,The Cameo’s, Frank Piombo with Angelo Uccello