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Subject: Organizations' Newsletter - March 30, 2019
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News and Opportunities for the Cultural Nonprofits and Creative Businesses of Fairfield County, CT
The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is a nonprofit membership service organization that supports its members through unified marketing, capacity building, professional development, and advocacy services. This newsletter is sent to all who request it, but we ask that, if you are not a member, you explore membership benefits and consider joining. Find out more and sign up here.
MEMBERS: PLEASE REGISTER ON OUR WEBSITE
385 of our 600 members have now created profiles on the new integrated Cultural Alliance website - please join them! In order to post an event on FCBuzz Events, you need to register on the website as if you are a new member, using the same email address you used for the old FCBuzz site as your contact email (call us if you are unsure what address that is). Call 203-212-6894 or email with any questions.
Next Spotlight: Mon. April 8 - WPKN
Connecting Our Towns To Support Bridgeport's Young People
Laurence Caso, Frank Derico, Pam Lewis, Rob Silvan
As we know, Fairfield County ranks first in income disparity among the 100 largest U.S. metro areas: the top 5 percent of earners make 18 times that of the poorest (bottom 20 percent). DataHaven's landmark "Community Wellbeing Index 2016" graphically showed how disproportionately bad Bridgeport's community index and personal wellbeing index were (p.8 of the report; download image here). In a state with no county government to ameliorate wide disparities, how do the wealthier towns help out the more troubled? There are many arts organizations based in Bridgeport that have residents of other towns on their Boards. How are other towns banding together to support Bridgeport - and in particular the young people of Bridgeport. In our next monthly live interview show, Spotlight on Arts & Culture, hear from three of many organizations who do this (Neighborhood Studios, Connect-Us, and K.E.Y.S.) and one place where many of them gather (The Klein). Tune in Mon. April 1, at noon to WPKN 89.5 to hear what they do and what more we could all do to help Bridgeport's youth thrive and prosper.
APRIL 8 RESERVE YOUR SEAT FOR CHRIS WIGREN:
CONNECTICUT ARCHITECTURE: STORIES OF 100 PLACES
Sign up for the next meeting of the Fairfield County Preservation Network, which is open to the public and which will celebrate the architecture of Connecticut with Christopher Wigren, author, architectural historian, and deputy director of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, who will discuss his well-received new book Connecticut Architecture: Stories of 100 Places. The meeting will be hosted by the Norwalk Historical Society at its Mill Hill Museum site and will take place Monday April 8, 6-8pm. Connecticut boasts some of the oldest and most distinctive architecture in New England, from Colonial churches and Modernist houses to refurbished 19th century factories. In his guide to this rich and diverse architectural heritage, Wigren introduces readers to 100 places across the state. Written for travelers and residents alike, the book features buildings visible from the road. Sign up for this free event here.
❦ – Latest List by Town of Organization and Creative Business Members: here
❦ – Latest List by Town of Artist Members: here
BLENDS GALLERY
Owner: Colorblends
Curators: Jahmane, Michael J. Clocks and Aishah Nailah
BLENDS is a new gallery, specializing in "urban contemporary art," that opened in November 2017, in the building at the corner of Main Street and Golden Hill Street in downtown Bridgeport, owned by Colorblends. It got started when Tim Schipper, co-owner of Colorblends, the century-old importer of tulip bulbs to a warehouse on Barnum Avenue, came across artists Jahmane and Michael J. Clocks painting outdoor murals for the owners on buildings across the street that were undergoing major redevelopment. Impressed by their work, Schipper asked them to paint a mural for his building. Schipper also operates the Colorblends House and Spring Garden on Clinton Avenue, where Michael J. Clocks became resident artist, overseeing spring-time pop-up exhibits. Stored in the basement are artifacts that tell the story of the tulip, from its origin in the Tian Shan mountains to the fields of the Netherlands. Jahmane said they didn't have to call the downtown building "Blends," but it just so happens that blends is a graffiti term - and Jahmane started his career as a graffiti or street artist himself. The idea for the gallery is to bring street art indoors and to show "evolved urban art or evolved street art." The future of the gallery is unclear, but Schipper enjoys having a gallery and the number of shows is ramping up. Every last Saturday of the month the Bridgeport Flea Market takes place at Blends, starting March 30, 12-5pm. The Aim Higher Together Bridgeport campaign launched at Blends March 28, and coming up is a two-person show of Meighan Morrison with Clyde Theophilus McLaughlin: Shades of Black and Blue. See Blends Gallery Facebook page and Instagram feed. With gratitude to Joel Lang and his piece Urban Vibe, in the CT Post Nov. 9, 2017.
WAKEMAN TOWN FARM
Farm Director: Corey Thomas
The Wakeman Town Farm has a rich agricultural history as one of the oldest family farm properties in Westport. A third-generation farm, owned by the Wakeman Family, it was the site of a thriving agricultural operation and popular farm stand. Today, it has been brought back to life as a community farm and educational demonstration center for sustainable living, owned by the Town of Westport for the benefit of all its citizens. The Town Farm won a 2017 Historic Preservation Award from the Westport Historic District for the restoration of the c. 1900 farmhouse, Peter Wormser, architect. Work included reconstruction of the original front porch, replicating its turned posts, a gabled roof replacing a shed dormer on the second floor addition, and the addition of a 1,500 square foot glass-enclosed educational kitchen and classroom ("Tim's Kitchen"). It provides a place to experience hands-on homesteading practices, including both traditional and cutting-edge techniques, such as composting, succession planting, solar and wind power technologies. The Farm offers a wide array of educational programs in agriculture, land stewardship and animal husbandry inspiring the community to unite for the mutual benefit of a healthy environment and a more sustainable future. Activities include educational workshops, student internships, after-school environ-mental clubs, children's summer camp programs, growing fruits and vegetables, animal husbandry, providing a farm stand and CSA pickup location. Upcoming events include an April 8 talk by Bill Kenny, landscape architect, on "Going Native – The How & Why of Native Plants in the Landscape" and Wakeman's 2nd Annual EGGStravangaza for the whole family on Easter weekend, April 20. See timeline and history of Wakeman; its website, Facebook and Instagram pages.
ROUND-UP OF MEMBERS' NEWS
The CT Trust for Historic Preservation has announced its 2019 Preservation Awards, which will be presented at a ceremony Thurs. April 4 at the Hartford Town and County Club. Among the winners of awards in our region were:
Carol Leahy, Westport, who won the Janet Jainschigg Award for Preservation Professionals for her work as the staff person responsible for the Town of Westport's
Cameron Henry, Greenwich, who won the Mimi Findlay Award for Young Professionals for his work successfully nominating multiple Greenwich projects for statewide preservation awards, helping create preservation plans for an 18th-century grist mill and one of Greenwich's oldest houses, and joining the board of the Greenwich Preservation Trust.
Greenfield Hill Cemetery, Fairfield, that won an Award of Merit for its cemetery restoration - Since 2016 volunteers led by Jeffrey Taylor have been restoring the Greenfield Hill cemetery, the resting place of early settlers, Revolutionary War soldiers, and community leaders. They have cleaned, restored, and re-set 300 of the cemetery's 900 gravestones, which can weigh between 160 and 1,000 pounds.
Greenwich Historical Society, that won an Award of Merit for its restoration of "Toby's Tavern"—immortalized by artist Childe Hassam—for use as a visitor center and by constructing a new archives and gallery complex, its design inspired by former outbuildings on the site. These structures further the society's mission and revitalize a place that inspired Impressionist artists.
Tickets for the Awards Ceremony can be purchased here.
Franklin Street Works has named Carole Southall as its next Executive Director. Carole, who lives in Wilton, comes to the position from Westport Country Playhouse, where she was Director of Development, responsible for 55% of the Playhouse's $5million dollar budget, and cultivated a $3 million donation, the largest in Playhouse history, that launched its endowment fund. Known for her creativity and strategic vision, Carole has worked at several prestigious non-profits, including the National Parks Conservation Association, UNICEF, and Lincoln Center Theater. Prior to her work in development Southall attended University of Washington in Seattle where, as an undergraduate, she studied printmaking with Jacob Lawrence and, later entered its Museum Studies Masters program. Franklin Street Works has a growing national reputation, receiving critical acclaim for its exhibitions, and two major grants from The Andy Warhol Foundation, among other kudos. Carole Southall succeeds Bonnie Wattles, who helped Franklin Street Works achieve double digit audience growth, cultivate a strong and diverse base of funding, and significantly expand the role of the board during her tenure as Executive Director. More...
Stamford Symphony welcomes Dr. Janey Choi has been appointed as its first Director of Community Engagement and Education. Her initial challenge is to re-imagine the strategy for all the community and education work that the Stamford Symphony produces. Janey commented, "Music can be a powerful tool to build and strengthen connections within communities and I'm looking forward to exploring ways to deepen our engagement with Stamford and Fairfield County." She is currently a teaching artist for the New York Philharmonic and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center as well as a part-time Music Teacher/ Violin Faculty at the Town School in New York City. She has hosted Young People's Concerts, worked with public school systems, designed and performed interactive school and family concerts, coached high school orchestra and band programs, and more. Janey holds a Bachelors of Music and a Masters of Music from the Juilliard School and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.
The Town of Fairfield has announced that artist member Adair W. Heitmann, formerly the Director of Communications for Pequot Library is its new Community and Economic Development Specialist. Adair says, "I'm thrilled to be working for such an interesting and vital town and to continue the partnerships I've developed with many local arts, cultural, community, history, literary, and professional organizations." We wish her luck in her new position.
The Westport Library has announced the opening date for its transformed space: Sun., June 23. Central to the new design is the Forum, a community space for up to 600 people with a high performance video wall for showing films and enhancing presentations. Theater-quality sound, staging & lighting, and state-of-the-art broadcast studios will enable live streaming, broad-casting, and filming of the Library's signature events. The Forum has 6,000 sq. ft. of flexible space for co-working and collaboration when not in use for events. Three large program rooms for 40 to 120 people will allow for simultaneous programs and patrons will have access to seven meeting rooms, eight conference rooms and a video recording studio. The Library's Café will be six times larger, with an outdoor deck overlooking the Saugatuck River. Floor to ceiling windows throughout the Library connect the building to its natural surroundings. The Riverwalk Level will be home to the main book collection and quiet reading spaces. The Library's main entrance will be accessible from downtown Westport and Jesup Green by a sweeping grand staircase and there will also be access from the upper parking lot.
Seven member organizations in the towns in our region have now fully signed up to participate in Make Music Day 2019 - the free celebration of music by professional and amateur musicians alike. Our towns will be 7 of more than 800 cities in 120 countries. In 2018, 78 North American cities organized 4,728 free concerts at 1,561 locations… all on a single day. Make Music is open to anyone who wants to take part. Every kind of musician — young and old, amateur and professional, of every musical persuasion — pours onto streets, parks, plazas, and porches to share their music with friends, neighbors, and strangers. You can see the pages of each of our towns on the U.S. Make Music site and venues and musicians can sign up there. The towns act as matchmakers putting willing venues and eager musicians together. Click on each town below to see their page on the Make Music site: Bridgeport, Greenwich, Milford, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Stamford, and Stratford. Details and contact information are on each of their sites. Deadline for venues and performers to register with the town sites is May 21.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS HONORED FOR MUSIC EXCELLENCE
Fairfield, Westport and Wilton are three of 19 school districts in Connecticut, and 623 across the country, designated as Best Communities for Music Education, 2019. The award, now in its 20th year, is made by the NAMM Foundation, and recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders to make music education part of a well-rounded education and provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, music departments answer detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, and support for the music programs. Responses are verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas. This award recognizes that these school districts are leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) which guides implementation in the states and recommends music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children. A complete list of districts awarded this distinction can be found here.
THE GREAT UNAPPRECIATED ENGINE OF THE U.S. ECONOMY
In an opinion piece in the March 19 Forbes.com, Benjamin Wolff contrasts the Trump administration's fourth attempt, in its 2020 budget, to zero-out all funding for all arts and culture programs from the government (and to eliminate the NEA, the NEH, IMLS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting) against the most recent report from the Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account (ACPSA) compiled by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). This shows that economic activity from arts and culture increased 2.9% in 2016, representing 4.3% of gross domestic product or more than $800 billion of economic activity. Wolff points out that our sector has expanded faster than the total economy every year since 2012, and its contribution to GDP is greater than agriculture or transportation. Employing five million people, arts and culture continues to grow across the nation and consistently runs a trade surplus for the U.S., delivering more cultural goods and services abroad than the nation imports. These figures underline the fact that rather than a diversion, arts and culture are essential drivers of economic growth. Many Republicans recognize this, which is why Trump's attempts in the past have failed. Not only do they cite the statistics but often they point to the Creative Forces: NEA Military Healing Arts Network - a partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, and state and local arts agencies. Its mission is to use art therapy and direct engagement with the arts to help patients and their families heal from the effects of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Since beginning in 2012, the program has expanded across the country, focusing on supporting injured veterans make the transition back to civilian life. Wolff concludes that the arts don't need to justify their modest government support (the equivalent to one F-22 fighter jet) because of course the arts are an integral part of being human, no matter one's financial status or political party: "But as we move into the third decade of the 21st century, America would do well to consider the arts as a vital partner in keeping our nation competitive and thriving on the world stage. As we face the challenges of increasing automation, robotics and artificial intelligence, creativity and creative services—what the arts have and can teach—show us a path towards sustainable value."
CT DIGITAL ARCHIVE NOW PART OF DIGITAL PUBLIC LIBRARY OF AMERICA
The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) is a federated body of cultural institutions across the U.S. that represent the richness and diversity of America itself, from the smallest local history museum to the nation's largest cultural institutions. All the materials found through DPLA—photographs, books, maps, news footage, oral histories, personal letters, museum objects, artwork, government documents, and more—are free and immediately available in digital format. Now, the Connecticut Digital Archive (CDA) has joined the DPLA and more than 75,000 items from its collections are discoverable in DPLA. A program of the University of Connecticut Library, the CDA includes a diverse array of materials from over forty cultural heritage institutions across the state, from the P.T. Barnum collection of artifacts and ephemera from Bridgeport Public Library and the Barnum Museum to Connecticut State Library's nineteenth century newspapers and Hartford Public Library's Butch Lewis Video Collection documenting Hartford's Black Panther Party chapter in the late 1960s.
As DPLA puts it in a news release, "Connecticut may be a small state, but its newly-added collections represent the nation's shared heritage and are global in scope." It cites The Cheney Brothers Silk Manufacturing Company collection from University of Connecticut and Connecticut Historical Society documents one of the most successful textile companies of the Progressive Era, known for providing its largely-immigrant workforce with such amenities as housing, schools, recreation facilities, and medical care. The Hartford Medical Society Historical Library's collections features correspondence, diplomas, account books, and meeting minutes documenting the lives, work, and medical practices of Connecticut physicians between the eighteenth and early-twentieth centuries. For researchers and students of twentieth century world history, Nuremberg Tribunal attorney Thomas J. Dodd's papers capture in chilling detail Nazi strategies leading up to and during the Holocaust, as well as the Allied Powers' prosecution of Nazi criminals for crimes against humanity after World War II. For those interested in the DPLA, explore their collections here, and read about their upcoming conference: DPLAFest held in Chicago this April 17-18.
Join the Connecticut Arts Alliance and the Connecticut Tourism Coalition for ARTS, CULTURE + TOURISM ADVOCACY DAY on Monday, April 8, 2019
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Exhibits, Speakers, and Remarks from Legislators
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Tourism Caucus Meeting
Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106
REGISTER HERE. Arts organizations, please share this invitation with your board, staff, and volunteers! Let's show our legislators how the arts can turn out to advocate!
OPPORTUNITIES & FUNDING
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE FELLOWSHIPS
The Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office is pleased to announce its annual Professional Development Fellowships. Connecticut residents who are currently engaged in historic preservation or a related field, either through employment or education, are encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to emerging and mid-career professionals. The fellowships are intended to be used for a professional activity that will advance the successful recipient's career. The activity should be a learning opportunity that is not currently available or reimbursable from the recipient's employer and should provide the recipient with experiences or skills that will enhance their historic preservation work in Connecticut. Attendance at conferences or workshops, tuition, field schools, and consulting/coaching fees for training activities, are examples of eligible activities. The amount of the fellowship awards are dependent on the cost of the professional development activity. At least two fellowships will be awarded for amounts up to $2,500. To apply, please complete the application and email it to Jenny Scofield by Friday, April 19, 2019. The fellowships will be announced at SHPO's third annual statewide conference on May 17, 2019 at the Omni Hotel in New Haven. Successful recipients will be notified in advance. The State of Connecticut is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants affiliated with Minority/Women's/Small Business Enterprises are encouraged to apply.
CT OFFICE OF THE ARTS
REGIONAL INITIATIVE GRANTS
The Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) announces that applications are now being accepted for The Regional Initiative (REGI) Grants 2020. The REGI program encourages and supports small arts projects that are relevant to a community's current society, culture and trends. REGI is a good fit for applicants that have a small arts-based project that targets a specific community matter, reflects on personal experience(s), and/or brings neighborhoods together. REGI grant requests must range between $1,000 to $4,000. Eligible applications go through a panel review process and decisions are based on available funding. Eligible applicants:
● individual Connecticut artists
● arts organizations
● creative entrepreneurs
● school districts or individual schools;
● curators/event planners;
● 501(c)(3) non-arts organizations
● colleges, universities and departments
● libraries.
A fiscal sponsor can serve as the legal entity that manages a project's contract, budget, expenses and payments. You cannot apply: if you received a REGI grant for the past 3 consecutive years (you have to wait until 2021); if you have an incomplete or late submission; if you have any outstanding final reports from other COA grants; if you have applied to either the FY20 Supporting Arts or Arts Project Grant programs; or if your organization receives a line item. Grant Requets must range between $1,000 and $4,000. Up to 10% of the request may be used for administrative costs. Grants require at least a 25% match (cash and/or in-kind contributions. Applications are made through Survey Monkey and should be completed first in a word-processing document and then uploaded (you have to begin and finish in one sitting. See Guidelines, and the budget form you have to separately download. Review the application questions here.
HOT APPROACH INSTITUTE
The CT Office of the Arts (COA) is running a Higher Order Thinking (HOT) Approach Mini-Institute on Multiple Intelligences and Arts Integration with an emphasis on STEAM models that work on Friday, April 26 & Saturday April 27, 8:30am - 4:30pm at the Red Lion Hotel, Cromwell, CT. COA's Higher Order Thinking (HOT) approach to teaching and learning provides educators with vital professional development, resources, tools and strategies to develop, deepen and expand effective practices in standards based arts education, arts integration, student voice and leadership development. Based on COA's long-standing and nationally renowned HOT Schools Program, the HOT Approach weaves best practices in arts in education with present-day needs and experiences of urban, suburban, and rural school communities and is open to K-12 (arts and non-arts) educators statewide. While individuals are welcome to attend, COA encourages teams to register and participate together. Participating Teams in COA's HOT Approach Mini-Institute may be eligible to apply for a COA Arts Learning HOT Approach Implementation Grant:
● Grade Level Teams: 3-5 Teachers in a grade level - may request up to $3,000
● School Teams: Principal and Teacher Teams (3-5 teachers - including at least one arts discipline teacher) - may request up to $5,000
● District Leadership Teams: Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent and/or Director of Curriculum with a leadership team representing one or more schools in the district including an arts team (minimum 5) - may request up to $10,000
● Community Teams: A Grade Level, School, or District Leadership Team that includes an Arts or Cultural Facility/Organization Educator may request an additional $1,000, $2,000, or $3,000 (respectively).
Apply to attend here.
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has announced the details of its 2019 annual conference. It will be held May 17-18, 2019 in two locations. On Friday, May 17, a full-day conference will be held at the Omni Hotel, 155 Temple Street, New Haven. On Sat. May 18 there will be a half-day event of hands-on demonstrations at the Henry Whitfield State Museum, 248 Old Whitfield Street, Guilford. This year's theme is Back to Basics and the keynote speaker will be Thompson Mayes, author of Why Old Places Matter, and Vice President/ Senior Counsel at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Initial plans for sessions on the Friday include:
● Crafting a Statement of Significance for State and National Register Nominations
● Interpreting the Secretary of the Interior Standards
● Messaging for Advocacy
● How to Prepare of Scope of Work
Saturday's half-day demonstrations will include masonry repointing, window repair, monument conservation, and more. See agenda here. Follow SHPO on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using #backtobasicspreservation, #CTSHPO2019, or #CTsharedstewardship for updates on the program.
Professional Development Events Coming Up…
April 25-28: Common Field Convening, Philadelphia
April 26-27: CT Office of the Arts HOT Approach Mini-Institute, Cromwell, CT
May 1: CT Office of the Arts: Arts Hero Awards, Infinity Music Hall, Hartford
May 2: CT Office of the Arts: CT Arts Day. New Haven
May 4-7: Association of Art Museum Curators, New York.
May 8: CT Governor's Conference on Tourism, Hartford
May 17-18: State Historic Preservation Conference, Back to Basics, New Haven
May 19-22: American Alliance of Museums Annual Conference, New Orleans
June 3: CT League of History Organizations Conference, CCSU, New Britain
June 6-7: Creative Communities Exchange, Montpelier, VT
June 13-16: Americans for the Arts Annual Convention, Twin Cities, MN
July 10: Arts for Learning Cultivating Creativity Teacher's Conference, Quinnipiac University
Nov. 5-8: Museum Computer Network Annual Conference, San Diego
SORELLE GALLERY
SENIOR ART ADVISOR
Sorelle Gallery Fine Art, located in New Canaan, has an immediate need for a Senior Art Advisor, an exceptional person, to join our growing gallery. This is a full time position responsible to promote and sell works of art in the gallery and online. You will meet with prospective clients, be responsible for displaying artwork that's for sale, transport art to local buyers, and gallery administration. Position Requirements
• Successful sales experience;
• Knowledge of contemporary art market;
• Excellent negotiating skills;
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal);
• Excellent people skills;
• Excellent customer service skills;
• Well-organized and attentive to detail;
• A demonstrated ability to work as part of a team, as well as independently;
• Techno-logically Savvy, experience with Photoshop, Salesforce and Shopify a bonus;
• Clean driver's license;
• Experience and able to install and hang artwork. Compensation based on experience. At Sorelle we strive to create in-gallery and online experiences that inspire, inform, delight and empower our customers to find artwork that lifts their spirit and will make their homes more beautiful than they ever thought possible. We are passionate about problem solving and we thrive on meaningful interactions. We believe that offering great artwork makes for happy, satisfied, and loyal customers. We have fun taking work seriously. Please email cover letter; Email resume with a minimum of 3 professional references here. References will only be contacted after speaking with applicant. Absolutely no phone calls or walk-ins, please. References will only be contacted after speaking with applicant.
JOHN WALSH FELLOWSHIP IN MUSEUM EDUCATION
The Yale University Art Gallery's John Walsh Fellowship in Museum Education is a two-year fellowship for an emerging professional in the arts considering a career in museum education. Reporting to the Jan and Frederick Mayer Senior Associate Curator of Public Education and working closely with colleagues from the Education Department, other Gallery departments, and additional collaborators at and beyond the Yale University Art Gallery, the Fellow will be fully integrated into all aspects of the Education Department's work, from planning to execution. S/he will gain broad-based experience in academic museum education over the course of the fellowship, including: K–12 public education; interdisciplinary and interactive teaching with objects; university-level outreach and teaching programs; execution and evaluation of educational offerings for various audiences; school, youth, adult, and community groups; and teachers, families, and adult visitors. The focus of this two-year fellowship is to explore teaching in the university museum and to help develop materials that can be used in K–12 and university-level teaching. The Fellow will participate in the rigorous Wurtele Gallery Teacher training program and learn from museum educators about art-based pedagogies and the collection. An advanced degree and one year of museum teaching is required. Additional duties as assigned by supervisor. Occasional evening and weekend work will be required. Residence in the greater New Haven area for the term of the fellowship is required. Applicants must submit a CV with the names of three references and a cover letter that addresses the candidate's interest in the fellowship. Submit applications (in PDF format) to: Jessica Sack, The Jan and Frederick Mayer Senior Associate Curator of Public Education, jessica.sack@yale.edu Application review begins April 15, 2019.
CONNECTICUT LEAGUE OF HISTORY ORGANIZATIONS
The Connecticut League of History Organizations (CLHO), with a membership base of organizations and individuals, was formed in 1948 to build connections among those who preserve and share the stories and objects of Connecticut's past. Partnering with Connecticut Humanities (CTH) on a number of issues and programs, we are committed to building statewide capacity to preserve our state's heritage, promote learning and engage the public. The CLHO Executive Director serves as the chief executive of the organization, providing leadership, vision and direction in managing daily operations consistent with the mission, strategic plan and governance policies established by the Board of Directors, including priorities jointly shared by CLHO and CTH. The Executive Director is a champion, convener and catalyst for advancing CLHO's mission to unite, support and promote historical interests and activities statewide and to strengthen and empower the network of those who promote and safeguard Connecticut's cultural heritage.
Position Responsibilities: ● Manage strategic and operational planning, including budgets, fiscal reports, membership admin-istration, program logistics, event regist-rations and other components of daily operations. ● Develop and implement a robust outreach strategy to strengthen and leverage current and new relationships with members and with regional and statewide partners, including CTH and Central Connecticut State University as well as other allied state and regional organizations.
● Provide overall program management for existing programs (Annual Conference, Awards of Merit, Connecticut Collections, StEPS-CT, workshops) and identify new program opportunities based on the CLHO-CTH partnership and on state and national trends in public history. ● Strengthen revenue streams by growing the membership base, increasing participation in programs, managing fundraising activities and identifying new grant/funder sources to achieve sustainability. ● Coordinate communications with all constituents to enhance the CLHO brand. ● Collaborate and communicate with the Board to fulfill CLHO's mission by executing near-term strategic actions and helping formulate longer-term strategies to achieve and maintain sustainability. Profile of the Ideal Candidate: ● Passionate advocate for the mission with the ability to translate that passion into an articulate and compelling story for a variety of audiences. ● Visionary leader able to set strategic direction for the future while using critical and creative thinking to address near-term issues and opportunities. ● Accomplished networker, collaborator and communicator able to build and maintain strong relationships with CLHO constituents and allies and to articulate the benefits of collaboration among various individual and institutional players. ●A confident risk-taker adept at reading people and situations to help individual and institutional partners achieve beneficial outcomes. ● Time management, analytical and technological expertise to accomplish daily tasks (with QuickBooks, social media) efficiently and complement interpersonal and leadership skills. ● Sound knowledge of public history best practices; ability to organize and deliver effective professional development programs for history organi-zations' staff and volunteers. Minimum Credentials: ● Bachelor's degree in a humanities or related field. Master's degree a plus. ● Five years experience in a leadership or management position in a public history organization. ● Valid driver's license with ability to drive throughout the state to meet constituents. To apply: email a cover letter and resume by April 6, to interim@clho.org with "ED search" in the subject line.
BRIDGEPORT DSSD
WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT RFP
The Bridgeport Downtown Special Services District (DSSD) seeks to retain a Website Development Consultant to design and develop a web platform to align with new branding and communications goals connected with the Colorful Bridgeport campaign. Colorful Bridgeport is a new, integrated marketing and streetscape beautification campaign that aims to represent the woven tapestry of Bridgeport, while highlighting the beautiful and vibrant overlapping of forms, shapes, and colors that intersect in the Downtown. The Project Goal: To build a web platform that communicates a sense of place for Downtown Bridgeport using the principles of the Colorful Bridgeport campaign. In particular, the web platform should communicate that sense of place by highlighting Downtown Bridgeport businesses, cultural institutions, public spaces, residential offerings, events, and programming produced by the DSSD and partner organizations. Project responsibilities: The Consultant will manage the Bridgeport DSSD's website development process under the creative direction of our marketing agency, The Bananaland. The purpose of the collaboration is to ensure that resulting work product achieves the Colorful Bridgeport campaign goals and expresses our views creatively. Below are high-level responsibilities, as well as examples of specific tasks the DSSD is expecting the selected Consultant to undertake.
● Design and implement a mobile ready storytelling platform that attracts high levels of web traffic, and allows for constituent engagement. The platform must use media queries to allow the website to scale correctly to all mobile devices and be compatible with the last three versions of primary web browsers, such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Internet Explorer.
● Integrate a content management system, preferably WordPress, that is user friendly for DSSD members to generate, edit, publish, and share engaging content daily (e.g. original text, photos, videos, and news), including embedded curated feeds from the DSSD's social media channels.
● Create space to house content currently in production. Please refer to the attached production timeline for examples of content.
● Migrate selected content from InfoBridgeport.com, including calendar, individual business information, and DSSD-specific reporting requirements.
● Clearly connect the web platform's sense of place for Downtown Bridgeport and the role of theDSSD in that place.
● Set specific metrics and monitoring/ reporting processes compatible with the goal of the website, particularly focusing on success factors pointing to search engine optimization, web traffic, and audience engagement.
The website development process is expected to begin the week of April 15, 2019, with expected delivery of the final web platform by June 15, 2019. This scope of work is contract-based (IRS Form 1099). Proposals are not to exceed $15,000 for this scope of activity. The DSSD reserves the right to adjust the billable hours, and staffing levels, of any contractor on a regular basis. See complete RFP.
NORWALK ARTS COMMISSION
SOCIAL MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS RFP
The Norwalk Arts Commission is seeking social media and communications services for the Norwalk Arts Commission. Services provided are aimed to help grow and engage our community with the Norwalk arts.While the Commission has successfully leveraged volunteer social media and communications services, the organization realizes that the ongoing growth, visibility, and viability of the Commission and its services depend on engaging professional services. The fee is $2,000 for the period of April-Dec 2019. Expectations are that 2 hours a week of social media/ communication services will be provided. Roles and Responsibilities:
● Assist in the development and implementation of a social media strategy for Instagram and Facebook
● Create engaging social media posts across platforms showcasing NAC, local: artists, art, and art venues
● Create and promote NAC Facebook events
● Search and/or share art related FB events on NAC social media platforms
● Manage social media inquiries, comments, and requests
● Work with the Communications Manager for the city to help promote important events and/or information
● Provide metrics as requested on NAC social media presence
● Assist in communicating web changes and updates as needed
● Update NAC mailing lists as needed
● Assistance with misc. social media and communications related projects as neede
● Assist in the design and distribution of occasional e-blasts and a bi-annual e-newsletter
Skills and experience required:
● 3-5 years of experience in social media
● Proficient in social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram
● Strong and effective communicator, with excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills
● Excellent understanding of branding
● Ability to take high quality photos with your phone for social media
● Photo editing skills
● Interest and enthusiasm for the arts
● Proficiency in Canva (or similar program) or willingness to learn
● Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook
● Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Marketing or Communications preferred, but solid experience and a proactive personality are most important.
Proposal: The commission invites those interested in providing these social media and communications services to submit a proposal to livelovenorwalk@gmail.com. Please put "Social Media and Communications" in subject line.
Deadline: Friday, April 5, 2019
Required elements:
Please send questions to: livelovenorwalk@gmail.com
JOBS STILL AVAILABLE
Arts for Learning: Executive Director
Bruce Museum: The Zvi Grunberg Resident Fellow; Special Events Manager
Darien Arts Center: Office Manager
Fairfield Museum & History Center: Director of Programs and Education
Greenwich Historical Society: Manager of Youth Programs; Archival Processing Intern
FOR JOBS, FOR SALE, FOR RENT, VOLUNTEERS, AND CALLS FOR ARTISTS - CONSULT AND POST IN OUR CLASSIFIEDS
https://culturalalliancefc.org/resources/classifieds/
Please help us expand the reach of our weekly E-Buzz newsletter with its selection of events taking place that week in our region. See the most recent issue. Subscribe here.
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OPPORTUNITIES CALENDAR
April c3: USArtists International Application Deadline
April c5: CT Humanities: Planning and Implementation Grant Deadlines
April 11: NEA: Challenge America Grant Deadline
April 12: Harpo Foundation: Artists New Work Project Grants to organizations LOI Deadline
April 11: CT Open House Day: Registration Deadline
April 19: SHPO Preservation Fellowships Application Deadline
April 22: Stage Directors & Choreographers Workshop Foundation: Observerships
May c1: CT OECD: Good to Great Grant Program - Letter of Intent Deadline
June c1: CT Office of the Arts: Regional Initiative (REGI) Grant Program Deadline
CT Office of the Arts Arts Access grants
The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is a 501(c)(3) organization. We are very grateful for the support of our individual and organization members, our individual donors and the following organizations.
Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County, Gate Lodge at Mathews Park, 301 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06850, United States
You may unsubscribe or change your contact details at any time.
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Organizations' Newsletter - March 30, 2019
This is an online snapshot of a newsletter created by the owner of ORGANIZATION NEWSLETTER: JULY 24, 2015 (Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County, Gate Lodge at Mathews Park, 301 West Avenue, 06850 Norwalk, United States) and sent via GetResponse on 2019-03-30. Report abuse


Happy New Year from the Ephraim Guest House Condominiums. We hope you were able to take time to be with friends and family throughout the holidays and kick off 2015 with a new perspective.
As we kick off the New Year at the Guest House, we'd like to share some of our insider tips on making your Door County stay one you'll remember forever.
Festivals, Activities, Savings and more in Door County. Some of the fun newer festivals coming our way are Uncork Summer in Ellison Bay, Door County Beer Festival in Baileys Harbor, Door County Lighthouse Festival, Door County Festival of Nature, and the Door County Century Bike Ride. Look for more details from us on these festivals and activities that are coming soon to Door County.
This year we are offering our popular Stay 3 Consecutive Nights only Pay for 2 from May 1st – May 21st, 2015. Rooms are already booking so be sure to grab this deal. Wondering if May is the right time to stay in Door County? It's a great time for biking, hiking, running, walking and golfing because roads, parks and courses have fewer visitors. Our weather in May is all over the board so be sure to pack warm clothes along with short sleeves and shorts.
We've also brought in a new special to help your summer vacation get even better. Stay 3 Consecutive Nights or More July 7th – July 12th and save 25% off the regular rates. As always, rates during the weekdays are less expensive than the weekends which gives you more bang for your buck.
No matter what you and your family enjoy, Door County has it. Shows, arts, outdoor activities, quiet, dining, or shopping, Door County has a mix of every style. That's why so many people come to Door County to vacation.
We look forward to seeing many of our friends who have become family and making many new friends this year.


Stream us live online anytime!
Under the continued leadership of Jay Fink, President and General Manager and a fourteen year station veteran, WRIP tapped the talents of another broadcaster - long recognized for his community leadership and integrity - from our sister station, WQQQ in northwest Connecticut. Joe Loverro joined WRIP as Morning Show host and Operations Manager in May 2011. As we enter our seventeenth year of broadcasting, WRIP pledges unwavering community involvement, thanks to the continued support of our many fans and successful advertisers.


New Home Sales And (Maybe) Good News About The Housing Market, In 2 Graphs : Planet Money The housing market is recovering — very slowly.
The housing market is recovering — very slowly.
As NPR reported this morning, new home sales stayed steady while housing priced nudged upward. This news follows yesterday's report on rising housing prices in urban areas and last week's stories about rising sales of previously occupied homes.
This is not just good news for home owners. A healthy housing market can help improve the broader economy, as this AP story points out. It's good for consumer confidence and spurs their overall spending (though it might not be so great for those trying to buy a home).
As you can see in the chart above, housing sales are gradually nudging upward. While August new home sales fell slightly compared to sales in July, they are still 27.7% higher than they were in August last year.
BONUS GRAPHIC: Wonder where all those new homes were sold? Mostly in the South. See a regional breakdown below.


text:
Q: Deixar imagens arrendondadas android Gostaria de saber se teria como eu deixar as imagens do meu app arredondadas como essas
e gostaria de saber se isso seria viável, boa pratica

A: Tente algo assim:
private setBitmapRounded(){
    Bitmap image = BitmapFactory.decodeResource(getResources(),
            R.drawable.img_qualquer);
    ImageView mImageView = (ImageView) findViewById(R.id.mImageResId);
    mImageView.setImageBitmap(getRoundedShape(image));
}

private Bitmap getRoundedShape(Bitmap bitmapImage) {
    //Tamanho que será seu círculo
    //Pode deixar valor estático ou usar o tamanho original da sua imagem
    int width = 150;
    int height = 150;
    Bitmap targetBitmap = Bitmap.createBitmap(width,
            height,Bitmap.Config.ARGB_8888);

    Canvas canvas = new Canvas(targetBitmap);
    Path path = new Path();
    path.addCircle(((float) width - 1) / 2,
            ((float) height - 1) / 2,
            (Math.min(((float) width),
            ((float) height)) / 2),
            Path.Direction.CCW);

    canvas.clipPath(path);
    Bitmap sourceBitmap = bitmapImage;
    canvas.drawBitmap(sourceBitmap,
            new Rect(0, 0, sourceBitmap.getWidth(), sourceBitmap.getHeight()),
            new Rect(0, 0, width, height), null);
    return targetBitmap;
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


From our first performance as a pre-teen quartet in 2012, it's fair to say we've come a long way! Whilst our line-up has changed over the years in number and in personnel, we have all been brought together by a common passion for singing and a strong desire to make the world a better place. Our journey would not have been possible without each member of our family, so let us introduce you to them!
Our group has developed so much over the past six years, but singing with these boys has been a consistent highlight of my week. A cappella is the ultimate team game and it creates a really special bond between us. There's no better feeling than singing as a group and hearing it all come together around you.
I never struggled to get out of bed on a Monday morning, because I knew that at the end of the school day I would be creating music with my close friends. Singing a cappella is so rewarding – when all the harmonies come together it brings a smile to my face. But for me, the most rewarding thing is that the group is using a combined passion for singing to make a real difference to the lives of many. I want to spread the message that anyone can take something they love and use it to make the world a better place. I am seriously proud of the amount of money we have raised for charity since 2012 – the efforts of every member of 'The Family' is astonishing. Long may it continue!
The really special thing we have in Kol Tov is that we all know each other outside of the group. This means we have very strong, personal relationships with one another, and this allows me to connect even more with our music. I'm singing with great friends every time, so I'm constantly enjoying myself. Personally, I think it adds a level to our music.
Kol Tov has been a really enjoyable part of my life over the past few years. You can recognise my voice as the one which does most of the top notes! My confidence has improved hugely since starting and I've grown to love every performance. We've grown so much as individuals and as a group since I first joined and I'm very excited to see what we will accomplish together.
I first sung with the group at my Bar Mitzvah, but when my voice broke I began beatboxing. I've really enjoyed watching and being a part of the group's evolution from The 4 Sons into Kol Tov and I'm really excited to see where the future takes us. I love performing together and always get lost in the music when we start singing!
I really enjoy singing with Kol Tov! It's amazing to be able to do something I love, singing, and raise money for great charities at the same time. I especially enjoy singing with the other members and feel very lucky to be part of the group.
I started singing with The 4 Sons at my brother's Bar Mitzvah from the age of 11 up until 14. I really enjoyed singing with The 4 Sons and loved the experience of being able to raise a lot of money for charity doing something I love. I wish the group lots of success in the future.
Singing with Kol Tov (then The 4 Sons) on Purim was an amazing experience - the music was lovely, the generosity of people who donated amazing, and the group dynamic was hilarious. I hope to join the boys again in the future!
Singing for The 4 Sons was an amazing experience that I am lucky to have had. From the riveting excitement of the performances to successful spieling on Purim – I enjoyed every moment. Moreover, the charitable contribution is astounding and I am honoured to be a part of this. I look forward to seeing what happens next!
I've really enjoyed participating in Purim spieling with The 4 Sons and the fact that the money goes towards something greater than myself makes it even more special.
I joined the group to fill in for one performance, which was actually when the group hit the £50,000 milestone! On Friday afternoon, I got a message that my brother was engaged and that I had to be back at home for dinner that evening. Not wanting to let the boys down, we picked a plain shirt and wrote down all the directions for my 2-hour walk across London. I arrived in the early hours of the morning, ready to perform the next day. Now that's commitment!


Rumors claiming the iPhone 7 will ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack abound, and some Apple customers are already infuriated about the matter, even though the device isn't available for purchase. Over 200,000 people even signed a petition against such a move from the iPhone maker, which claimed "virtually no third-party [headphones] manufacturers [are] ready to fill the new market gap" – this being one of the now-deleted reasons why Apple shouldn't remove the standard audio jack in upcoming iPhone designs.
But headphone makers might not even care about Apple's stance on the standard headphone jack, a new report indicates.
Speaking with Tech Insider at CES 2016, CEO of Sennheiser Dr. Andreas Sennheiser said that the company will simply go with the decision Apple will make regarding the audio experience in its upcoming line of mobile devices.
"If Apple decides to go with a new standard, we will look at the opportunistic side and how we can exploit that change in a positive way to give a better sound experience," the exec said.
That certainly sounds like something any third-party accessory maker would say. After all, let's not forget that the iPhone accessory business is a very large one, and all sorts of companies thrive thanks to the popularity of the iPhone. Regardless of what comes along in terms of iPhone design changes, these companies will certainly adapt to meet the needs of consumers, whether it's a new case design or a Lightning-based pair of headphones.
The CEO further explained that Apple's potential change might bring an overall improved sound experience, including 3D effects. The sound company just announced a new Ambio 3D audio technology that uses a digital signal rather than stereo audio.


Horrible news: Cartoon Network just announced the impending series finale of Adventure Time, the sci-fi/fantasy post-apocalyptic musical fairy-tale rom-com coming-of-age sitcom epic starring Jake the Dog and Finn the Human.
Great news: Adventure Time won't end until 2018.
Created by Pendleton Ward, Adventure Time premiered in 2010 and became a hit for the network, drawing large audiences and earning a raft of awards. The show garnered critical praise – not just from me, but definitely from me – and occupied a unique nexus between hip alt-comedy and Comic-Con friendly geekdom, with guest stars including Marc Maron and Ron Perlman. Adventure Time cosplay became dominant at conventions, where Fiona and Jake Cake (the gender-swapped alternate versions of the main characters) became icons in their own right. With success, the show's universe has expanded, and its ambitions have grown. Like Harry Potter before it, Adventure Time has grown up with its main character; voice-of-Finn Jeremy Shada was barely a teenager when the show started.


$200 Off All Stairlifts, Ramps & Platform Lifts!
Mobility and our ability to get around is something that often gets taken for granted — that is, until it's compromised. Once we realize that those stairs are more challenging than they once were and pose a greater threat, we see how important and necessary it is that we adapt. At Able Care Group in New Jersey, we work to help your home or business in Gloucester County meet the needs of those around you (including yourself). From vertical platform lifts to indoor stairlifts, outdoor stairlifts, elevators, ramps, and more, we ensure that getting around your home or business can be normal once more. Get in touch with a member of our team today to learn more!
Obstacle courses are fun for kids, but not meant to be a daily activity when trying to get up the stairs. Get aluminum ramps, commercial ramps, or portable ramps installed today to make your business or home more accessible for all.
The stairs should bring a sense of familiarity, not a sense of fear. Protect yourself from falls by getting the best in straight rail, curved rail, indoor, or outdoor stairlifts from Able Care Group.
Needing a better way to get up and down the stairs? You need Able Care Group, and our wide variety of platform lifts. Offering mobility solutions in the form of extended, enclosed, and vertical platform lifts, your home or business can be more accessible to all. Give us a call in Gloucester County to get started.
A residential or commercial elevator installed by Able Care Group for your home or business can make significant improvements in accessibility for all. Working with incredible brands, such as Wessex, our mobility solutions team would be honored to provide you with an elevator.
If you're looking to improve your mobility without having to worry about the cost, we have a number of pre-owned equipment options for you to consider. See what types of ramps, stairlifts, and more we have in stock.
Great Service! Very nice, and sister mentioned that she's very happy, and made her take everyone outside to show them the lift.
I just wanted to drop you a quick note of thanks for the work you did at my parents home. My mom had nothing but compliments for the team and we appreciated the quick installation.


Founding ProVest in 1991, Scott Strady is credited with successfully building client relationships and skillfully steering the company's strategic initiatives. With more than 2 decades of experience in the mortgage foreclosure industry, Strady's early career focused on mortgage foreclosure services, which led to the formation of ProVest. His vision is to continually advance ProVest's size and scope, leveraging technology and innovation to secure ProVest's position at the forefront of the process service community. Under his guidance, ProVest has evolved into an enterprise that delivers optimal service offerings through sophisticated technical solutions.
ProVest's Chief Executive Officer, Jim Ward, is responsible for oversight of the organization and working with colleagues to define strategic business directives. Before assuming his current role, Ward served as ProVest's President. With more than 20 years of management and systems consulting experience, previously he was a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting and IBM Business Consulting where he provided leadership on strategic global service accounts and focused on enhancing his clients' competitive positions and operating performance, while reducing overall costs.
Chief Revenue Officer, Victor Draper, is responsible for new business initiatives, new product planning, and implementing strategies that ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction. His leadership spans across all aspects of services, including marketing, business development, government agencies, and ProVest media relations. Draper specializes in developing and implementing strategies that ensure high-level customer satisfaction. With 30+ years of experience in the mortgage servicing industry, he entered the process service market by operating Universal Default Services (UDS), a New York-based process service and skip tracing firm which was acquired by ProVest in January, 2007. Prior to launching UDS, Draper led the default services department at Countrywide Financial Corporation. Additionally, Victor Draper is a noted industry speaker at conferences and seminars and publishes regularly in renowned industry publications.
Joey Wilkins, Chief Compliance Officer & In-House Counsel, is responsible for managing the Company's compliance with legal, regulatory, client and internal requirements and provides guidance to management on risk and compliance matters for ProVest nationwide. Wilkins is the Chair of ProVest's Risk and Compliance Committee and has over 10 years of experience in the credit collections industry. Prior to joining JJL in 2011, Wilkins held a senior management position in a regional debt collection law firm. Wilkins graduated from the University of Montevallo in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. He graduated from the Birmingham School of Law in 2010 and was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in April 2011.
Bill Monaghan, Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for managing the company's financial divisions, including accounting, financial planning, treasury and shared services. Bill's wealth of experience includes serving in strategic financial positions with local multi-national companies. Prior to joining ProVest, Bill was Sr. Director of Accounting at Catalina Marketing. Bill is a graduate of Rutgers University and holds an MBA from Colorado State University.
Neil Heath, Senior Vice President of Operations, delivers a depth and breadth of experience in the default service space. As one of the first employees, Heath joined ProVest in 1992 as a Client Services Production Manager. In addition to Heath's organizational responsibilities, he also filed cases and served papers for ProVest, affording him a unique perspective from both an operational and process server point of view. These skills were instrumental in his contributions to the evolution of the entire operation. In his current role, Heath has been pivotal in the development and expansion of new geographic markets, including the Midwest and West Coast. His current responsibilities include operational and client oversight of these areas, in addition to multiple office locations in Florida as well as executive management of ProVest's Contractor Management department. Heath is a certified process server for the Circuit and County Courts in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Hillsborough County Florida. Heath also holds a "CC" Private Investigator License in the State of Florida. Heath is a member of the National Association of Professional Process Servers (NAPPS), and is a member of the United Trustee's Association (UTA).
Carl Turro, Senior Vice President of Operations, has more than 24 years of experience in all aspects of the process service industry. Originally joining the organization as a Production Manager, in 2007 he was promoted to Vice President. His responsibilities involve operational and client management for the Eastern US, including Florida, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Mid-Atlantic States and South Carolina. Turro also provides oversight to the Data and Investigations, and Foreclosure Sales Attendance business departments. Turro is a "C" licensed Private Investigator in Florida and a former special process server in Florida's Sixth Judicial Circuit.
Lynda Smith, Vice President, Information Technology, leads ProVest's Information Technology department in the delivery of strategic business and infrastructure solutions as well as day-to-day IT operations. Lynda brings more than 30 years of experience in Information Technology planning and management. Prior to joining ProVest, she held a variety of senior management and consulting positions, leading teams in the delivery of mission-critical technology solutions in the financial services, telecommunications, hospitality, and manufacturing industries. Lynda graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor of Business Administration.
Lori Liburdi, Vice President, Human Resources is responsible for leading the HR team in developing and implementing human capital strategies in alignment with company objectives. She joined ProVest in 2006 and is credited with creating the human resources infrastructure that encompasses employee relations, compensation, benefits and wellness, talent acquisition, performance management, leadership development and training, and payroll. Liburdi began her career in the banking industry in the real estate and consumer lending divisions at Chase Manhattan and Citicorp. She has over 20 years of human resources experience and has held leadership positions at Perry Ellis International, Florida Lift Systems, Hydro Agri North America and Sunstate Ventures, a franchise of Brinker International. Liburdi holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Administration from St. Leo University and sits on the Executive Board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay.


We are excited to work with educators, students, and other organizations to better serve the community. Learn more about opportunities for working at CommLink, what it's like working as an interpreter, and how to partner with us.
We are always looking for dedicated interpreters. Please send your resume and a cover letter to info@commlinkasl.com.
Student groups are welcome to visit our office and ask questions about working as a sign language interpreter. Current students should coordinate with their professor to organize a visit. Please contact us at info@commlinkasl.com or 414-604-7231.
Please contact us via email at info@commlinkasl.com or by phone at 414-604-7231 for partnership and sponsorship opportunities.
Learn more about sign language interpreting by volunteering in our office. Contact info@commlinkasl.com for more information.


text:
Limca Redefines Freshness with Kiara Advani as New Brand Ambassador
Infographic Library
AV Library
New Delhi, 25th March 2019: Adding a burst of freshness to Limca, Coca-Cola India has roped in Kiara Advani as the new face for its sparkling beverage in the cloudy lemon segment. Being a relatively fresh face in Bollywood, Kiara will further epitomize Limca's connect with youthfulness and freshness.
Speaking on her association with Limca, actor Kiara Advani said, "Limca is a beverage that is essentially timeless and known for freshness, and that's me, zesty and fresh. I am really excited to be the new face for Limca since we share the same core values and personality!"
Shrenik Dasani, Vice President, Sparkling Category at Coca-Cola India & South West Asia, said "Limca has always been India's favourite thirst quencher, loved for its unique 'lemoni' bite and sharp fizz. At the same time, Kiara has a uniquely refreshing personality and is immensely loved by her fans. This makes her the perfect fit for Limca, and we are so pleased to welcome Kiara to the Limca family."
The company will soon roll out a new advertising campaign featuring Kiara. The actress will also be associated with a range of consumer activations, digital and social media engagements for the brand.
About Coca-Cola India
Coca-Cola India is one of the leading total beverage companies in the country, offering a range of healthy, safe, high quality, and refreshing beverages to consumers. Since its re-entry in 1993, the company has been refreshing consumers with its 'Beverages for Life' portfolio, spanning across sparkling, juices, hydration, water, dairy and other segments. Its portfolio includes brands such as Coca-Cola, Coke Zero, Diet Coke, Thums Up, Thums Up Charged, Thums Up Charged No Sugar, Fanta, Limca, Sprite, Sprite Zero, Maaza, VIO, Minute Maid juices, smoothie and Vitingo, Georgia tea and coffee, Rimzim, Aquarius and Aquarius Glucocharge, Schweppes, smartwater, Kinley, Bonaqua, Zico, Rani and Barbican. The Company along with its owned bottling operation and bottling partners, through a strong network of over 2.6 million retail outlets, touches lives of millions of consumers, at a rate of more than 500 servings per second. Its brands are amongst the most preferred and most sold beverages in the country – Thums Up and Sprite – being the top two selling sparkling beverages.
The Coca-Cola India system provides direct employment to 25,000 people and indirect employment to more than 150,000 people. Through initiatives like Support My School, VEER, Parivartan, Unnati, Alag Karo, SMS Mission Recycling, and water replenishment structures, Coca-Cola India is contributing in its own small way to building sustainable communities. The company is also investing in 'Fruit Circular Economy' initiative, enabling Indian farmers to increase their yield, source pulp and launch fruit-based products.
For further information on the company's India operations and its products, please visit: www.coca-colaindia.com and www.hindustancoca-cola.com. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
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Topic Top News Brands Business Community History Innovation Manufacturing Music Product Facts Recipes Sustainability Technology
Added 08/12/2020 Coca-Cola India, GIZ and Tetra Pak join hands with SAAHAS to launch the second phase of source segregation program, Alag Karo, in Gurugram
Added 13/10/2020 Coca-Cola India releases Sustainability Update Video 2019-20
Added 01/10/2020 Coca-Cola India releases Sustainability Update 2019-20
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


I had the pleasure of being invited to get a hands-on demo of the new 12th Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver Remote Control at the BBC Television Centre.
Both the Eleventh and Tenth Doctor screwdrivers have already had the universal remote control treatment from The Want Company (who also produced a Harry Potter magic wand remote control). But the 12th Doctor's version is a real step up from the previous ones. One of the things that held me back from buying the 11th version (besides the lofty price tag) was the fact that it didn't extend. Well, this one does!
The screwdriver is made from metal and shows no visible joints or screws; it's weighty and has pretty much the exact feel of what I'd imagined the actual prop to have. The attention to detail, right down to the tiny flecks in the white bit near the end, were what really brought it to life. I could tell that the whole thing had been a labour of love, and the passion of the creators came across.
There were many considerations to make not only for the visual details, as well as engineering problems – with a prop this small, asking it to do so many things was quite a challenge. We were treated to stories of how they had faced this or that issue from the manufacturers and how they had got around with some neat trick or fix. It still sounded like basically magic to me, but I was entertained nonetheless.
The result is a very versatile little device that can be programmed to control your television, iPods, iPads, and probably more besides. It is something of a great experience to point a sonic screwdriver at something and have it actually affect it. There's a real magic to that kind of thing.
All of this leads to a product that will set you back a good £79.99.
The price tag may be hefty, but with everything that has gone into it, I can understand. Perhaps people who held off buying the 11th version will take a punt on this one.
Also on display at the BBC that day were an assortment of Doctor Who related Christmas items that you may be interested in buying to put on your body. Mostly there are t-shirts, hoodies, and bags. And there's also a hilarious Christmas jumper that is just unspeakable. Truly, truly unspeakable.


It was my first day of high school and already I felt like an outcast.
I was standing in a corner with the other new girls, marveling at the sight of so many white people. The Nightingale-Bamford School was an all-girls private school on the Upper East Side, one of the richest neighborhoods in Manhattan. It went from kindergarten through high school, which meant most students had already known each other for nine years. As if that didn't intimidate me enough, I was also on scholarship. Most of the other girls were rich, and I mean really rich.
If you had asked me before high school to describe myself in one word, "Hispanic" would have come nowhere near my lips. I attended a public middle school in the South Bronx where most of the students were black or Hispanic like me, and I took my ethnicity for granted. It just didn't seem important. But when I entered private school and found myself in the minority for the first time, I had to figure out what it really meant to be a Latina from the South Bronx.
That first day, I arrived in my navy blue kilted skirt that reached my knees, shoes I got on sale at Macy's and a book bag. Most of the girls wore skirts that ended right underneath their butts, so that you could see their shorts or underwear. They wore Lacoste polo shirts and Coach flats and carried LeSportsac bags. I felt like a penguin in the middle of the Sahara.
Some girls asked me where I lived, and when they heard the words "South Bronx," their eyes widened and their faces elongated in shock. They wanted to know if I had seen people get shot, if I had seen people do drugs, if I had been to any wild parties. I chuckled to myself—did they really think that the South Bronx was that dangerous?
"Uh, no. It was a joke. The South Bronx is about as dangerous as the Upper East Side." (OK, that's not exactly true, but I was frustrated that they thought the Bronx was as dangerous as it's portrayed to be in movies.) It was only 8 a.m. and I was already being exposed to ignorance I'd never thought possible. But what happened later that day was even more eye-opening.
All the girls were crowded into our homeroom; the lights were off and the electronic whiteboard was on. Suddenly, a girl named Vicky walked in and started chanting, "Crank dat Soulja Boy!" Vicky was African-American, but had attended Nightingale-Bamford since kindergarten. She had a vacation house in the Hamptons and had traveled around the world. In other words, she was nothing like any of the African-American girls I knew from middle school.
Next thing I knew, Soulja Boy's "Crank That" was pumping from the homeroom stereo and girls were imitating the dancing from the music video. I hadn't heard the song before because I didn't listen to hip-hop that much. Out of nowhere one of my new white friends, Delilah, pulled my arm and begged me to dance with her. I shook my head "no" because I had no clue how to crank that soldier boy or even what it looked like. But the other girls started begging me, too, and I was thrust to the front of the room.
I'm sorry to say that I didn't stand up for myself at that moment. I just tried to remember my friend Ashley from middle school, who knew how to dance hip-hop, and I attempted to imitate some of her moves. It was quite pathetic, but surprisingly all the girls thought it was amazing. I was ashamed of myself for trying to fit into their stereotype instead of correcting them.
After that, I became known as the ghetto girl from the ghetto neighborhood with ghetto friends. Delilah would constantly ask me if she was more ghetto than Susie or if Martha was the most ghetto person, as if I was the expert on "ghetto-ness." It didn't really bother me that they called me "ghetto." I figured they associated me with the black girls because I did hang out with the few black students at Nightingale sometimes. But it bothered me that they didn't recognize my Hispanic culture. Then again, I guess I didn't bother to recognize my Hispanic culture.
My mom is from Honduras and my dad is from Mexico. When I was little, we spoke only Spanish at home, ate Mexican and Honduran food, and listened to cultural music. Our lives revolved around Latin American traditions.
But I had slowly assimilated into white American culture over the years. I started listening to pop music and watching American TV shows until my Spanish was terrible and I became too embarrassed to speak it. In kindergarten, before I knew English, my name, Sayda, sounded to me like steamed rice, platanos and beans. By the time I entered high school, my name sounded more like hot dogs and hamburgers on the Fourth of July.
After about three months of comments from my classmates, I finally realized that if I didn't stand up for myself and my culture, my classmates would continue to live in ignorance. But what was my culture, exactly?
I started thinking more about everything that made me Hispanic. For example, I still spoke some Spanish and ate Spanish food at home. I danced bachata and merengue at parties, and I had been to Mexico and Honduras several times. I was Hispanic at home, but not in school, and I realized that for years, even before high school, I'd been keeping that part of myself separate from who I was at school. But there was nothing to be ashamed of. So what if I watched telenovelas as well as Gossip Girl? So what if I loved listening to Anthony Santos and Ricardo Arjona as well as 50 Cent and Rihanna?
I began talking to my friends at school about my life and culture. I told them about how I had been in a bilingual class in kindergarten and wasn't fluent in English until 3rd grade. I told them that in my house we eat foods like platanos, arroz con habichuelas and tamales.
Some girls thought I had an attitude problem and was being arrogant for talking about myself. But the girls who were genuinely interested in learning about Hispanic culture and were sincerely sorry for stereotyping me became my close friends.
I learned to embrace my ethnicity even more by getting involved with school organizations for students of color. That spring, I signed up for a one-day workshop with an organization called Diversity Awareness Initiative for Students (DAIS). Hundreds of other students from private schools in the New York area got together to attend sessions on topics like identity and homosexuality. It was good to talk to other private school students from all different backgrounds who cared about the same issues I cared about.
After that, I joined Cultural Awareness for Everyone (CAFE), a club at my school where black, white, Asian, and Hispanic students come together and talk about our cultures. Talking to other Hispanic students who had gone through similar experiences at my school made me realize I wasn't alone.
My school makes a big deal about African-American History Month, but the most they've done for Hispanic students is celebrate Cinco de Mayo. There's more to Latin America than Mexico. I've made it my goal to educate my classmates about Latin American culture, about how there's a difference between being Honduran and Cuban and Panamanian. And that you can listen to rap or play golf or sing opera, and still be Hispanic.
I don't regret going to private school because I've learned a lot about myself. Going to private school helped me to rediscover who I am and take pride in my ethnicity, and that's the best lesson I could ever learn. Like Gandhi said, I must be the change I wish to see in the world. Recognizing and appreciating my own culture is the first step toward helping those around me see and appreciate my culture, too.


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Fitch downgrades India's sovereign credit rating outlook to negative
By Arup Roychoudhury and Indivjal Dhasmana | New Delhi | Last Updated at June 19 2020 17:39 IST
Topics Fitch Ratings | Sovereign credit profile
In its report, Fitch said it expects general government debt to jump to 84.5 per cent of GDP in FY21 from an estimated 71 per cent in FY20
Fitch Ratings revised its outlook on India's sovereign ratings on Thursday to 'Negative' from 'Stable', citing a weakened growth outlook and challenges from a high public debt burden due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Fitch retained its rating at 'BBB-', the lowest investment grade. This comes just weeks after Moody's cut its rating for India.
As things stand, all three major global ratings agencies – Moody's, Fitch and Standard & Poor's – have the lowest investment grade rating on India. Fitch and Moody's have a negative outlook while S&P has a 'stable' outlook which it reaffirmed days ago.
"The coronavirus pandemic has significantly weakened India's growth outlook for this year and exposed the challenges associated with a high public-debt burden. Fiscal metrics have deteriorated significantly, notwithstanding the government's expenditure restraint, due to the impact of the severe growth slowdown on revenue, the fiscal deficit and public-sector debt ratios," the agency said in a report.
Fitch said it expects India's 2020-21 gross domestic product to contract by 5 per cent, before rebounding by 9.5 per cent in 2021-22, due to a low base effect. "Our forecasts are subject to considerable risks due to the continued acceleration in the number of new COVID-19 cases as the lockdown is eased gradually. It remains to be seen whether India can return to sustained growth rates of 6 per cent to 7 per cent as we previously estimated.
The government said that Fitch's outlook cut was not a cause of concern. "A negative outlook is not surprising given the situation with Covid-19 around the world. The markets seem to factored in today's action as well as that of Moody's earlier this month. It is a backward looking action, that is quite obvious," a senior Finance Ministry official told Business Standard.
ALSO READ: S&P to weigh agri reforms, easing of bad loan for future India ratings
"There is a threshold issue about whether or not we are downgraded from being investment grade. That has not happened, and we don't expect that to happen given our strong fundamentals, including foreign exchange reserves," the official said.
In its report, Fitch said it expects general government debt to jump to 84.5 per cent of GDP in FY21 from an estimated 71 per cent in FY20. "Some further fiscal spending of up to 1 percentage point of GDP may still be announced in the next few months, which was indicated by a recent announcement of additional borrowing for, although we do not expect a steep rise in spending," it said.
The rating agency said the humanitarian and health needs have been pressing, but the government has shown expenditure restraint so far, due to the already high public-debt burden going into the crisis, with additional relief spending representing only about one per cent of GDP.
"The rating agencies have their own ways of looking at problems. The fact of the matter is that the Covid-19 problem is faced by all countries of the world and it is nothing peculiar to India. I don't think we can attach much importance to these reactions. Everybody knows income growth will be lower this year and can even turn negative. That is something which all countries in the world face," said former Reserve Bank of India Governor C Rangarajan.
Beyond the pandemic, the agency said that India's medium-term GDP growth outlook may be negatively affected by renewed asset-quality challenges in banks and liquidity issues in non-banking financial companies, something which other ratings agencies have also said.
"The financial sector was already facing weak business and consumer confidence before the crisis and authorities had to deal with some high-profile cases over lapses in governance. A renewed rise in NPAs and the need for further financial government support now seem inevitable despite regulatory measures announced by the RBI," it said, adding that it expects the RBI to cut its policy rate by at least another 25bp this fiscal year.
Fitch also touched upon recent geopolitical flare-ups, including with China and Pakistan. "Geopolitical risk related to longstanding border issues with India's neighbours was highlighted again by recently intensified tensions with China."
"A stronger focus by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party on its Hindu-nationalist agenda since the government's re-election in May 2019 risks becoming a distraction for economic reform implementation and could further raise social tensions." It said.
WHAT FITCH SAYS
Covid-19 has led to weakened growth outlook and high public debt risks
Govt has shown expenditure restraint in face of severe humanitarian odds
Liquidity issues, NPAs in financial system remain a concern
Recent geo-political incidents also add to risk
Govt's Hindu-nationalist agenda could distract from reform implementation
Read our full coverage on Fitch Ratings
SOVEREIGN CREDIT PROFILE
Prev » Govt to provide jobs to 6.7 mn migrant workers by pooling official projects
Rating downgrade by Moody's, negative outlook by Fitch likely, warns Nomura
Covid-19 impact: S&P slashes India's FY21 growth forecast to 1.8%
Fitch revises India's sovereign rating outlook to negative from stable
Fitch Ratings, CRISIL, SBI Research see India economy shrinking in FY21


text:
Home News	Megan Fox: Ready To Settle Down
Megan Fox: Ready To Settle Down
by Angelic April 2, 2010
by Angelic April 2, 2010 0 comment 365 views
As she closes in on her 24th birthday, sources tell that Megan Fox is itching to get a move on starting a family.
Having been in an on/off relationship with Brian Austin Green for quite some time, the insider claims that the "Transformers" hottie hopes to be settled down by the age of 25.
"Despite her reputation as a Hollywood sex symbol, Megan is actually quite grounded and keen to settle down. She and Brian have discussed the idea of marriage and babies — and both are keen," the source gushes.
"Megan says she'd like to be married by the time she's 25 — and a baby would be a bonus. She's very maternal and gets on really well with Brian's son Kassius. She'd love to have a child of her own."
Source: Celebrity Gossip
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On the winding road of life, trying to enjoy the bumps, abrupt stops and scenic route.
It's official, I have moved all of the posts from this blog over to my new home at blog.jacquelinewolven.com - come visit there and see how life looks when every moment in life is done with intention.
Card is from this beautiful Etsy store in Scotland!
I have been blogging since January 15, 2006. Wow. Soak that in for a little bit. That is a long time. It started out as just a way to share my life with whoever might be interested or no one. It didn't matter. I just wanted to write my story.
Then I started writing over at MoxieWorks to share inspiration, practical tools and ideas for small businesses. It has been an amazing journey of people sharing and using tools that I have created over the years.
I realized that while the compartments were nice - being able to put a work/life hat on, it wasn't helping me build just a life. I work, play, and live all as one person and now I want to share all of that together.
I will be moving all (fingers crossed) the posts from both blogs into one blog and then going from there. I am excited, nervous and ready for this step all at the same time. It has been a long time coming!
Photo: A Pumpkin and a Princess - These are so cute and are a DIY project. Might just HAVE to make some!
I was named Citizen of the Week by our local paper. Nice to be recognized for the work that I do in our community. That would make me a CoW... moo!
In the last week I have been feeling less than focused. I realized that I am very effected by the lack of sunshine. It can be cold, but it needs to be sunny or I tend to feel unsettled, unfocused. It seems like such a small thing, the sunshine, but it is a huge impact on my mood and, sadly, my productivity.
I am embarrassed to say, but with all my gung ho spirit on my word of the year - focus - it has been hard staying focused. I realized that the number of distractions is formidable. My own push and pull, media, email, other people, family - nothing and everything. If I get off track on keeping up with my To Do list, I am lost. I get unfocused so easily... mostly by nothing except myself.
Today I set three simple goals for myself. Clean off the little nagging paperwork on my desk, empty one more area in my house and do some yoga - nothing huge, just three things.
Tonight I am going to sit and write all of the things I think I need to do - a big massive list to get it all out of my head. I will do it after dinner, in my office, focusing just on that.
Tomorrow I will do the very same thing. Over and over. Sometimes getting out of a funk is all about recommitting. I feel like the drug addict that says, over and over that they are going to be clean. Each day they start new. Instead, I am saying I am recommitting myself to focusing on moving towards my goals.
OMG - huge duh moment! I haven't DONE goals for this year. I have these 12 intentions that I am working on in the One Little Word project, but they aren't goals. THAT is what I need to do too. I need to sit and see what I want to work on. The big and the little for this year. No wonder I am floating around here not exactly putting my feet firmly in place. I need to clear some space away to focus on what I want to be doing - otherwise I am like the ball in a pinball machine pinging and ponging towards anything that bats me around.
I would call this a blog epiphany... thanks for joining me as I wend my way!
I LOVE popcorn. Always have. The salt, the butter, the crunch. It is, by far, my favorite snack. The problem is the butter. I can't, and shouldn't, eat that much butter. So, I have been looking for an alternative. Ta da! Coconut oil. It gives it a different, but not bad taste. Tropical and subtle. Not like olive oil, which is too overpowering for the popcorn. I suppose, but have no evidence, that coconut oil is better for you than butter. Please let that be the case because I love it.
From WebMD: "Coconut oil is better than butter and trans fats but not as good as liquid vegetable oils," says Penn State University cardiovascular nutrition researcher Penny Kris-Etherton, PhD, RD.
Heat one tablespoon of coconut oil in a heavy pan. It is hard, but you should be able to scoop it out of the jar with a spoon. By the way, I purchase my coconut oil at our local natural foods market, but maybe the larger grocery stores carry it now.
When the oil is melted put in three kernels of organic popcorn. I love popcorn so much that we buy this directly from the UNFI Truck in 50 pound bags and go through 2 bags per year. I prefer yellow kernels rather than white because it pops larger.
When the three kernels have popped it is time to add the 1/3 cup of kernels. Drop them in the pot and cover. My husband insists that I shake my hips when I shake the popcorn over the burner, but that isn't really necessary. Then again, if I am going to eat all this popcorn I might as well move a little before hand.
When the kernels are done popping salt and place in a bowl of your choice. Salt when it is hot or the salt won't stick which is the whole point of oil or butter in the first place.
Settle in to watch your favorite show, read a book or just enjoy the crisp crunch of a salty snack.
I never meant to get into The Voice, but the down on my luck and looking for a chance stories get to me. Every single time. I was bopping along watching the singers get booted off one after another when I found myself rooting for one of them. He even made it to the final 3. Then, as usual it happened. The one I didn't want to win, ever, won. It always happens that way for me. I never pick the winner. In fact, I like the underdog.
I get involved in their life. I feel for them. I want them to win and have that big chance.
Living vicariously like that does nothing for me and makes me feel terrible, when inevitably, they don't win.
So, I swore off unscripted TV. No Biggest Loser, no The Voice, no American Idol, no Kitchen Nightmares, no Shark Tank - goodness there are a lot of unscripted shows.
Because, really, do I need to spend time watching that crap?
I also am giving up award shows. Yes, I love them, but self congratulatory events with so so host bits aren't really something that I need to spend time watching either. Yes, it kills me that two of my favorites are hosting the Golden Globes tonight, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, but a deal is a deal.
I'll watch award shows when they are giving them for folks I know, doing things that make a real difference. That is worth watching.
A movie, TV show, play isn't any better if it wins or doesn't win. If I like it, I like it.
So, that cuts down on a LOT of TV. Really, if you made a list of all the shows that are unscripted/reality and awards we would be left with very few other shows. I don't watch most of them so I just gave myself hours of my life back.
Now I have to decide what I am going to do with it.


"MBPJ train service is suspended in both directions between Ridgewood and Glen Rock due to fallen trees across tracks.
"2 of 2: between Ridgewood and Glen Rock following earlier fallen trees across tracks.
"Bus Route No. 164, the 11:26 am departure from IKEA, Paramus to NY PABT is experiencing delays of up to 40 minutes due to an earlier mechanical problem.
I think NJT should concentrate on the basics, such as removing grade crossing where possible, buying more bi level cars and newer buses. Electrifying exiting diesel lines would be great. At this point, this is not a system that is ready for any major expansion.
Defiant wrote: I think NJT should concentrate on the basics, such as removing grade crossing where possible, buying more bi level cars and newer buses. Electrifying exiting diesel lines would be great. At this point, this is not a system that is ready for any major expansion.
South Jersey needs commuter rail.
They don't and never will contribute to the state revenue coffers like North or Central Jersey, but the greater PHL area is still massive. Buses, PATCO, the ACL, and the River Line are inadequate to support further growth, either in population or in NJ Senate & House cooperation. I suggest converting the River Line to FRA-compatible DMU or diesel-hauled coach when BBD's contract runs out, and also running DMUs (or mini-Comet sets) from Camden or PHL to Glassboro, Swedesboro, and Mt. Holly.
The Northern Branch LRT project is a great step too, especially if they can work out a dedicated bus link across the GWB.
When was the last time NJT eliminated a grade crossing? Trying to close streets tends to irk the local towns and grade separation runs on the order of $20M+ depending on what is around. All you will get is more fancy synchronized traffic lights like Midland Avenue crossing in Elmwood Park -- that was actually in an industrial area(so not many voters to complain about construction noise) and NJDOT still did not want to spend the money. Until the gates are down 30 minutes every hour during the rush hour no grade separation is coming to NJT.
When was the last time NJT eliminated a grade crossing?
NJT closed one in Asbury Park a few years ago. Why I don't know.
Location: Jersey Shore native living in Langhorne!
There is some new news about train service to Glassboro. the environmental report is coming out very very soon by March.
The Summerfield Ave. crossing was closed. Too many crossings too close together, those without traffic lights along Memorial Drive are a constant source of car crashes. Drivers don't want to get caught on the tracks waiting for an opening so they take their chances. Summerfield seemed to have more of these crashes and however it is done, NJT closed the crossing.
There are eleven grade crossings in Asbury Park in just a little over a mile, twelve before Summerfield was closed.
EuroStar wrote: When was the last time NJT eliminated a grade crossing?
NJTR added a grade crossing in Montclair when they opened the Montclair Direct connector. The work on the Lackawanna Cutoff heading to Andover also added a (future) grade crossing due to the former road tunnel being closed and the road re-routed over the railbed.
When the NJCL's Red Bank station got high platforms, there was at least one crossing removed IIRC. Also, when the Main/Bergen/PVL lines were rerouted in Secaucus, a grade crossing at County Road was removed.
On the light rail side, several new grade crossings appeared when HBLR and SNJLRT opened (plus new street running in Jersey City and Camden), and a former below-grade cut was turned into a grade crossing on the HBLR's West Side Avenue branch (MLK Drive); and the Newark Subway extension to the M&E Broad Street station (originally termed MOS-1 of the Newark-Elizabeth LRT) also added street running.
There is expansion. The rail line to Scranton is under construction and the light rail line extension to Englewood starts construction later this year. That's pretty big stuff.
Before NJT expands, they must get their issues resolved with the PTC and capacity situations(much of them are closer to NYC).
I think only a fraction of the Lackawanna Cutoff is under construction, only as far as Andover. While getting that portion of the cuttoff open up might help the traffic somewhat, traffic will continue to be very bad on 80. It would take a very long time on a NJT train from Scranton to NYC. I would have just gotten the first phase extended to E. Stroudsburg and stopped right there. Much of the right of way north of Stroudsburg is very twisty, causing train travel times to be uncompetitive with driving. The Steamtown Excursion trains, in fact, take over two hours to travel from Scranton to the Stroudsburg area, a distance of 48 miles. If a regularly scheduled passenger train were to run on the cutoff into PA, it would need to be a super express-not just between NWK and Summit, but skip multiple stops between Summit and Dover. Between Summit and Dover, maybe make Morristown, Denville, and Dover. Presently, local trains running between New York City and Dover take anywhere from an hour and a half to an hour and forty-five minutes, way too long to cover the mileage between those two stations.
I don't know yet if the HBLRT extension to Englewood got the approval but it's a very important project. After it's completed, it it ever is, HBLRT will live up to its name.
Dcell wrote: There is expansion. The rail line to Scranton is under construction and the light rail line extension to Englewood starts construction later this year. That's pretty big stuff.
Construction is halted on the Lackwanna Cutoff (eventually to Scranton). Funding issues, EPA issues, and a tunnel (Roseville) that keeps getting more expensive to repair have stopped this project from moving beyond the current storage track.
Double Track, Grade Separate, and Electrify America!
on their ACSES installs on fleet and wayside gear needed.
There're other rail fleet maintenance needs that not been tended to,and are short on T&E crews,all thanks to Christe.
It will take years to reverse the damage and restore service levels.
Remember the cutoff construction is on a time,materials,and available labor basis.
For now,NEED to get back at least "good repair" basis system wide before attempting to expand!!
In terms of new lines, on the light rail side, yes. I would also love to see the Westside spur of HBLRT extended not only to the 440 corridor near Hudson Mall but also to Newark Penn Station. This is because if you live on the west side of Jersey City and in Bayonne and work in NWK in Downtown or the Ironbound, then it would save people extra mileage of having to head out of the way a little bit before heading west again. Plus people who work in any of those warehouses or visiting any family and friends at the Hudson County Jail will be able to get to those places quickly, especially if they live on Jersey City's Westside. The 1 bus which provides a link from Newark to Jersey City passed the Ironbound, the warehouses, and the jail takes a very long time.
All of the studies (environmental etc) and public hearings are done regarding the Northern Branch. Last I heard, the next step is funding for construction. The original plan was for the federal government to match the state's funds (50%) to officially green light the project but I've heard Trump's administration may have asked the state to pick up more of the tab, hence the project is at a standstill for now.
They can't even run what they've got. No funding. Poor administration. Low paid employees. Too many reasons to list.