State Official Encourages Winter Weather Preparedness

WEST TRENTON—Colonel Rick Fuentes, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police and director of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, is encouraging all New Jersey residents to prepare for winter weather.

As such, New Jerseyans are strongly encouraged to prepare their homes, vehicles, and discuss with family members the potential effects of winter storms as well as learning about how to calmly and safely manage some of the winter season’s challenging conditions.

“By proactively preparing for winter weather before the first snow flakes fall, you are helping to protect yourself and your family from the winter elements that sometimes encounter in our great state,” said Fuentes.

Read Full Post »

“Cadillac Records” – Spins a Moving Saga – 3 popcorns

By Michael S. Goldberger, film critic

If the Oscar qualification read “Best Performed Classic Song” rather than “Best Original Song,” then Beyonce Knowles would be in line for an Academy Award. Playing Blues/Rock firebrand Etta James in Darnell Martin’s “Cadillac Records,” her belting out of “At Last” is a showstopper of the defining moment variety. We emit a big “whew!”

As entertaining as it is informative, the history lesson focusing on the musical comings and goings at Chess Records from the late 1940s through the mid ‘60s often elicits such emotional response. Powerfully interpreted as a crucible within the greater class/racial struggle, the importance of the saga allows us to forgive its frequently ragged edges.

Read Full Post »

December Memories From Around The Area

By Diane Norek Harrison

PERTH AMBOY-This is from material given to me for my column: On Dec. 15, 1978, Holy Spirit School held their Christmas Program. Here are the songs sang with teachers names: Grade 1- Melody of Christmas Songs-Poem, Sister Madonna; Grade 2-“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”, Mrs. M. Joyce; Grade 3-“The Gingerbread House”, Miss S. Baumlin; Grade 4-“The Littlest Angel”, Miss J. Payenski; Grade 5 “Santa Makes A Change”, Sister Immaculate; Grade 6 “Christmas in France”, Miss R. Austin; Grade 8-“We Need A Little Christmas”, Mrs. Decibus and Grades Kindergarten and Grade 7-Nativity Scene-Sister Laboure and Miss L. Nemeth.

Read Full Post »