Fourth Ward Monthly Meeting

Ward Four Councilor Dr. Renee Baskerville and the Fourth Ward Collaborative

Invite you to come out for our monthly meeting:

Tuesday – April 27, 2010
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Montclair Fire Headquarters
1 Pine Street – Montclair, NJ

• Township Manager, Mr. Marc Dashield
• Director of Finance, Mr. Gordon Stalter
• Other township officials

All will be present to discuss the proposed 2010-2011 Montclair Township Budget.

~After a budget presentation by our township manager, you will be given the opportunity to ask questions and share your thoughtful suggestions regarding the proposed budget.

~Find out how this budget will affect you.

Now is the time to come out and get a clear understanding of what possible cuts and “re-organization” are being proposed.

~ There will be presentations by some of the individuals who offer free and low cost summer activities or summer employment for youth and families in our communities Mayor Jerry Fried: Stay-Cation Montclair, MNDC, YMCA, Montclair Public School Summer Programs, Township Summer Programs, The Jefferson Foundation Summer Camp, Montclair Public Library Summer Programs, Montclair Grass Roots, Blue Wave Foundation Summer Activities, Real Families and Cobra's Youth Activities

These programs and opportunities are needed,  NOW MORE THAN EVER PLEASE JOIN US!

For further information contact: Dr. Renee Baskerville 973-509-2658

Remember, It’s A Donation

I wrote this piece, sent it to the local newspaper, the newspaper printed it, no one saw it (ok, maybe 2 people saw it), I think it has value so on my blog it goes and now I know that more than 2 people will read it.

As previously published by The Montclair Times:

Remember, It’s a Donation

Schools and nonprofit groups in Montclair routinely seek the support of local businesses in the form of charitable food donations. We as a community would do well to remember our manners and show respect and gratitude for the generosity of these businesses and the charitable contributions they make to the quality of life in our town.

For the past two years I’ve helped to get food donations for the Montclair High School Crew Team Annual Auction. Most of the local restaurant owners I’ve approached for a donation have been receptive and genuinely wanted to participate, but some had stories to tell about donation requests that ranged from extreme rudeness to fraud.

“We get asked to supply trays of food to feed anywhere from 100 to 500 people all the time, free of charge,” one owner said, “and the attitude of the person on the phone is as if they are entitled, like my having a business here in town means I am expected to supply free food whenever I am asked -- no not asked, let me change that to when I am told.”

Indeed the food vendors are not obligated to provide Montclair and neighboring towns with unlimited donations of food. They contribute when they can because they consider themselves members of this community, whether they live here or not. They embrace a loyalty to the township and want to support it. Another business owner said “One hand washes the other and that’s how it’s supposed to work. We are a family restaurant and I appreciate all the business I get from the students their families. It’s the least we can do to support the kids”.

The expectation that a vendor would donate food to feed hundreds of people is unreasonable and the request will most likely be refused. Ask the vendor to suggest an appropriate donation. It has become increasingly difficult for the restaurants to contribute on the same level that they have in the past, and yet the requests for donations have not decreased.

According to several businesses I spoke with -- local grocery stores, restaurants, and others -- they can easily receive 15 to 25 requests for donations every week. The popular vendors receive twice as many. The requests come not only from Montclair but also fundraising groups from neighboring towns such as Bloomfield, East Orange, West Orange, and Newark.

More than one business owner recounted an incident where they were lead to donate to an event that either did not exist or the person making the request was not connected to the event. This has left a number of businesses reluctant to participate in any charitable giving. Those that have been burned in the past will either ask for credentials and proof of the event and your connection, or just say no. Be prepared to present to the business a printed flyer containing the event information.

“I think we should support local events when we can,” a business owner said, “but people should not be upset when we can’t. Folks can be rude or pushy when you tell them no.”

Overall the majority of the businesses I contacted were in agreement, wanting to support reasonable charitable requests for fundraising events in the town when they can but people need to remember that it is a donation, not a responsibility. Businesses cannot always say yes and we need to do a better job in accepting ”No”.

Here are some things you can do to increase the chances of getting a donation and being welcomed when you make subsequent requests:

In person, present the food vendor with a printed flyer that includes event name, date, and location; organization, association, or group name; address, phone and Tax ID. Also provide your own name, address, phone number and relationship to the organization.

Other points to remember:

1. Be specific in your donation request, and don’t ask for huge amounts. Request one tray of food, for example, or a gift certificate, or a case of bottled beverages.

2. Make sure you ask for menus or business cards to use in displaying the food at your event.

3. Get a contact name and phone so you can follow up the day before or the day of the event.

4. Call the vendor the day before to remind them of the time you will pick up the donation (never ask them to deliver).

5. And don’t forget to say thank you. Send or deliver a thank you note after the event. Personalizing the note by mentioning the specific donation “Thank you for your generous donation of sandwiches” or by addressing the note to your contact provides added value.

Weight Training For Women By FabFit50s

When I read a piece by someone I know and I think it fits on my blog, I'm going to post it.  Once again, my friend Kathleen, a personal trainer.

Why I Train The Way I Train

Mostly, I train women over 50. I like it this way. At 54, I understand the special needs and challenges of women over 50.
• We don’t put on muscle as easily or as quickly as we used to be able to--and, in some cases, are already in the muscle-wasting process.
…so I rely on basic weight-lifting movements, using a stable surface (no chest presses on a ball) and free weights when possible, performed in a muscle-building rep range in order to improve the odds of adding muscle safely and efficiently.
• We are at higher risk for thinning bones and osteoporotic fractures.
…so I focus on weight training to strengthen bone as well as muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments. Weight training also improves flexibility, coordination and balance, which can help prevent falls that can lead to fractures. Needless to say, I use little, if any, plyometrics or ballistic movements. (Using just a touch of plyometrics—perhaps jumping off and onto an aerobics step—in only those clients who are able to do them safely can help bones rebuild and get stronger.)
• We gain and hold on to excess fat more readily than we did at a younger age.
…so, an emphasis on adding muscle mass will improve the shape and tone of the body, plus speed the metabolism. (Muscle burns more calories than fat does.) Also, a fit woman with some body fat to lose looks healthier, I feel, than an unfit woman at her “ideal” body weight. This is more evident the older you get, when skin starts to sag if there’s little muscle underneath to support it.
• We are evaluating our past and giving thought to our future, with many of us concerned about aging, our health, our financial needs and work opportunities.
…so I put the focus on “getting stronger,” an achievement that brings a variety of rewards and helps many women appreciate a new found sense of mastery and accomplishment. "Getting stronger" usually results in standing taller, which makes us look and feel more competent and confident.
• We have an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia and certain cancers.
…so reaching and maintaining a healthy weight—which helps fight all these conditions—becomes more important than ever!

The best way I’ve found to achieve a healthy weight is through a combination of:
• weight training
• eating appropriate amounts of nutrient-rich food
• a mix of interval cardio for its superior fat-burning capabilities and cardiovascular benefits, plus slow, relaxing cardio (like a walk in the park) for stress relief—so critical for good health and good mood.

I could do many things with my clients in the gym. Look around, every trainer has his/her tools and methods.

What I choose to do is to show women how to weight train properly—and to get them to feel so comfortable in the gym that they can workout without me.

My mantra…You’re stronger than you think you are!

http://fabfit50s.wordpress.com/                                                     

One Man's Trash .....................

Twice in the past month I have been told stories of how someone I know was either cleaning, consolidating, purging or downsizing.  In the process some items were removed to the trash as expected but upon questioning, some of what I know which was relegated to the trash, potentially could have been sold for a nice piece of change.  And in this economy, who couldn't use a little extra change or some found money?

I am reminded of the story about two friends, when in purchasing their home "AS IS" they became the homeowners of a treasure trove which included several years of an old man's OCD events, where he had been dragging all sorts of what seemed like random trinkets into the home, sadly to the point where the only living space left in the house was a small section of the basement where he slept on a cot next to the furnace.  He and his bounty were separated by death, survived by a grown son, and the task of sifting being more than the son could handle, the house was sold "AS IS".  In weeding through the mountains of "AS IS", valuable art, collectibles, furniture and other items surfaced.  My friends were able to sell much of it and reduced their NEW mortgage substantially. 

Now back to the beginning of my post.  I tell you this story because one of the two recent stories shared with me this past month involved over 40 years of collecting several boxes of albums, yes that's right vinyl albums, jazz, pop, classical and they were placed out for trash in the basement of an apartment building.  The superintendent found them on his regular trash rounds and could not believe his good fortune.  When the super saw the person who had discarded the gift, he asked him why he would throw away something so valuable, and the answer was simply, "They are too heavy, I don't have the storage space and I can no longer move them around from one place to another".  The superintendent told the man of his plan to sell them and the man wished him good luck.  The man had no idea of the value for his collection and now wished he had not left them for trash. A few days later the super was entertaining offers from record collectors and dealers.  This was a collector's dream.

Take a look around your home, garage, basement, attic or closet.  I'll bet you have some found money just waiting to be converted.

The Email May Not Be From Your Friend

I recently received an email from a friend with a link attached for a questionable website and in the Subject line was the name of an unfamiliar person.

I thought it odd my friend had not begun the email with a shout out to me and an introduction to the body of the email.  We had not been engaged in an ongoing conversation recently therefore in my opinion I expected a lead in as to the purpose of the email. The body of the message included only the link to a website and at the bottom, an address signature block which included her first and last name, her business address and phone.   I checked the email address of the sender for this email I had just received against the one I have on file in my address book and it matched character for character.  Still I was suspicious.

Well, I was smart to be cautious, in fact what I did in questioning the peculiarity of the email was to create a whole new email addressed to my friend asking her why she sent me the link.  She in turn responded by telling me that she had not sent the email or the bogus link.  She has been the target of email identity theft.  Someone has been able to access her email name, password and address book of the people she communicates with via email.

Sad isn't it that you have to keep your radar up for everything, all the time, unable to trust a simple email note from a friend.  I have friends who send me cryptic email messages all the time which I laugh at; now I'll have to peruse them more carefully. AAAGGGHHH, from time to time I enjoy sending my own clever versions of emails that cause the recipient to stop, re-read and ask out loud WHAT?

So folks, if you receive an email and it has a funny ring to it when you read it, doesn't flow quite right or just seems a bit odd, my suggestion is to question it and don't open any links or attachments that arrived with the email.  Whether you decide to contact the person by email, phone or hand written letter (yeah I like throwing that one in, it's my favorite), by all means contact them as they may be the victim of email identity theft.  I probably should have called her instead of sending her an email, but at the time I didn't know the situation.  After all the thief may have figured out how to receive and respond to her emails as well.

Oooooooo this is creepy.

Dave Bass

If you are going to be in the D.C. area on May 23rd, you might want to check out Dave Bass in Sam On Sunday, and that's Sam Cooke folks. 

I have had the pleasure of experiencing Dave and his music live. 

This is a toe tapping, finger popping, head swaying, hand clapping, sing along; a head to toe gospel feel good performance.

For ticket information - http://samonsunday.eventbrite.com/.

New Program - Workforce Learning Link

I picked up a pamphlet last week while at The Department of Labor, Workforce Development, One Stop Career Center, on a new program called The Workforce Learning Link.  The Learning Links are open to anyone who needs to improve math, reading, speaking, or computer skills.  You do not have to be collecting unemployment benefits. Workshops are FREE  !!

Workshops include:

• Workplace Essential Skills - readiness skills
• NJN's Job Cast - success stories and tips from employers
• TV411 - improving your reading, writing, and math skills as well as ESL
• Money Smart - teaches aspects of handling money, shopping for a loan, maintaining a checking account, and managing credit card debt

Essex County Workforce Learning Link Centers:

90 Broad Street, Bloomfield, NJ 973-748-5146
50 South Clinton Street, 5th floor, East Orange, NJ 973-395-8552
62-70 Howard Street, Irvington, NJ 973-373-8914

The Breast Cancer Race for the Cure

For a friend, a sister, a co-worker, a mother, an aunt, a girlfriend, a wife, a neighbor, a stranger, for a woman:

Dear Friends and Family,

My name is Volencia Anderson and I recently accepted the challenge to raise funds to support the Komen North Jersey Race for the Cure® on April 25, 2010 in the fight against breast cancer. Please join me in the fight by pledging in support of my participation in the Race.

It is easier than ever to support this great cause - you can make a donation online by simply clicking on the link http://northjersey.info-komen.org/goto/prodiva. Any amount that you can give will help! I truly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

Thank you so much for your time and support in the fight against breast cancer! Every step counts!

Volencia Anderson
IST CUSTOMER SUPPORT ANAL II
IS&T/Core Systems & Technology
1 Worlds Fair Drive
3rd floor
Somerset, NJ 08873
Phone (732)743-3237
Fax (732)743-3269

Sharing What You're Growing

By the end of this month sharing, gifting and swapping of seeds and plants will be in full swing.  If you have seeds or plants to share, swap or gift please use my blog to post the information. At the bottom of this post, please click on "Comment",  include whether you're gifting, swapping or looking for seeds or plants and how you would like to be contacted.

Here is what I have started inside and can share at the end of the month, seeds can be shared now:
Plants                                      Plants & Seeds
Flowers                                            Vegetables               Herbs

Zinnias                                               Cherry Tomato          Dill

Asters                                                Roma Tomato           Oregano   

Tinctoria                                            Rutgers Tomato

Hollyhocks                                        Parsnips

Euphoribia                                         Mesclun

Knautia                                             Turnip

Armeria                                             Cucumber

Nasturtium                                         Spinach

Chinese lanterns                                 Mustard broad leaf

Gaillardia                                           Mustard curly leaf

Biden                                                 Parsley

Dahlia                                                Beets

Calendulas                                         Green Beans

                                                          Lettuce

Hope Is Still Alive

 

Yes, hope is still alive, just ask the people who mailed their gold and silver jewelry to the no name no face no way to follow up with or track down cyber companies promising a fair price for their jewelry.  Not that brick and mortar cons don't exist or provide any additional safety net, but it does take a few minutes to rent, occupy and move out of physical space. 

People hoped they would be able to gather enough booty to make it worthwhile, they hoped what was being parted with and shipped was going to draw a good price, they hoped the company would see the same value and send a check in a few days as stated in the commercial.  They hoped that this was legit and yet I wonder if underneath the hope if these people knew there was a high probability of this being a con. Because if they did and went with it anyhow, they needed to keep the hope alive.  On the other hand, does it matter if they knew?  They needed the money and thought this was a way to get it.

These companies were allowed to advertise on television, radio, internet and in the newspaper.  SEND US YOUR GOLD AND SILVER AND WE WILL MAIL YOU A CHECK !!! 

They targeted diverse groups of people with one thing in common, they all needed the money now more than ever.  I am convinced; had this economy not been swimming in the stench of the recession/depression (by the way is the jury still out on which one it is?) people would have used alternate means to earn a little extra cash.  I will take a guess that most of them have been holding onto this jewelry for years and would have continued holding onto to it had they not felt the impending doom of a crisis.

So last week some employed person at a national newspaper earned their keep for the week I guess, by writing what they thought was a shocking article about how people have been scammed out of their jewelry by fictitious or illegal companies with no way to follow up.  Nooooooooooooooooo, really?

I am sorry people were duped and left with the very difficult job of trying to prove what was in the envelope they mailed.  How are they going to do that?  Worse is they won't be able to retrieve what they claim they mailed either.  And just for anyone out there who isn't familiar with this con; you call a phone number or request a mailing kit via the internet.  Once you receive your kit, you place your jewelry in the special envelope, complete the paperwork and mail your gold and silver to the company.  Upon receiving the jewelry the company makes a value determination and sends you a check.

Let me rewind and ask this question, "Who's job is it to check out/research Too Good To Be True claims being made by a company such as the one in the gold scam?".  Remember these claims of payment in a few days sent direct to your home were being made on several major television channels and networks by more than one company in plain view for all to read and hear, and someone paid for the advertising.  So people, I ask again, "Who's job is it to police this type of stuff and considering how long (2 plus years) these companies were advertising their service "CASH FOR GOLD", is it reasonable to expect that an investigation might be underway by whomever should have this on their radar?

And that's who again?

I Do Not Have a Facebook Account

Yes, it is true.  I do not have a Facebook account and probably never will.  I have no use for one.  I have a blog.

I receive at least a dozen invitations to join Facebook each year and Facebook sends reminders once a quarter.  I'm sure that the photos I am invited to view are lovely but if you really want me to see them you'll have to either forward via email or print and deliver/mail them.  In case you're wondering, I prefer the printed photos.

I've heard all the pro arguments for Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, YouTube, Flicker and the other social networking applications and my life is just not that interesting nor do I find the goings on of another life or event so interesting that I need to be connected 24/7 by all these vehicles.  I tried using LinkedIn for a while, but lost interest in it rather quickly, no sustaining buzz. 

I don't always want to know the up to the minute data at the very minute it's unfolding.  Hey I still write letters by hand, in ink, on paper, fold, address and insert into an envelope, secure a stamp and walk it to the post office.  I rarely receive any hand written letters, but occasionally, one will slip through and I stop everything to read it.  And yes, I save it.

Quite honestly, I am not wired in such a way as to be able to keep up with so many diverse levels of communication.  I find it overwhelming. I suppose if I discovered some added value to my life from any one of them I might be just a wee bit curious but for now I leave the cyber networking to my friends and family. I squeal with excitement when they share some cyber information with me and I actually understand what they are talking about.

In the past few years and most recently, months and weeks, natural disasters in the form of a tsunami, earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes have claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.  When one of these applications can push the onset of this type of data out to the masses well in advance for people to be able to get out of the way, now that's added value.

Stimulus Cash For Appliances

In New Jersey starting today April 1st, the federal government has launched another program as part of the ARRA stimulus act. 

This program called Cash for Appliances is a rebate program designed to get old, power-sapping refrigerators, clothes washers, and dishwashers replaced with energy efficient models and boost the sales for the appliance industry.

The federal government is hoping this program will do for the appliance industry what the Cash For Clunkers program did for the auto industry last year.

This program will end April 30th. For more details go to http://www.njcleanenergy.com/ and click here to read on:

Blog Format Changes

Google Blogger which is the application I use to create and publish my blog has launched some long overdue upgrades and modifications to the template designs and navigational tools.

I will be implementing some of these changes in the coming days and hope that it will provide for an easier read for you and a more creative publishing experience for me.

Here we go.