By Kathy Shaskan
A who's who of New Jersey corporations and philanthropic organizations, including Nordstrom, Target, Bank of America, the Verizon Foundation, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, provided funds so that the popular All Seasons Chamber Players could put on a series of 15 free concerts throughout the state. There are 8 performances left between now and May, so you still have time to catch a show. Check their site for the schedule.
By Kathy Shaskan
If you have any old acoustic guitars and would like to see them put to good use, listen up: A non-profit group in Homdel is collecting instruments for a music program at a school in Uganda. Sylvia's Children, founded by Sylvia Allen, reports that the students who have already received guitars are "enthralled" with their music lessons. Instructor Tony Costa is pictured above.
By Kathy Shaskan
We just heard from Roseann Trezza, Executive Director of the Associated Humane Societies in Newark. She told us that a printing problem has thrown off the schedule of the group's fundraiser, the Popcorn Park Calendar (from Popcorn Park in Forked River). And even though January is under way, she asks that you still support their efforts by buying this worthwhile item. Order the $10 calendar online or email associatedhumane@aol.com for more information.
By Kathy Shaskan
The Nourison company, a big name in the rug world, has introduced a line of eco-friendly area rugs called Taos. The rugs are made with all-natural, reusable organic materials. They are produced by artisans using local wool that is colored with vegetable rather than chemical dyes. There are 79 Nourison dealers in New Jersey.
By Kathy Shaskan
If you were the type of kid who loved finding interesting rocks, fossils, and other mineralogical goodies, head over to Tomorrow's Heirlooms in Princeton and feast your eyes. It's part jewelry store, part rock museum; and it's presided over by a passionate collector who scored his first major fossil find at age 14 - a certified dionosaur hipbone! Samples of his jewelry creations are above, clockwise from left: fossilized coral pendant, Owyhee picture-jasper earrings, and two examples of plum jasper pendants.
By Kathy Shaskan
Two of our favorite Jersey Guys, Jason Cameron (left) and Tony Siragusa, contacted us and reported that they have new episodes of their show "Man Caves" coming up on the DIY Network. If you haven't seen the show, this dynamic duo creates rooms where guys can "live out their king-of-the-hill fantasies," with toys like putting greens, private humidors, and saunas. The first one airs January 9 at 9:30 and the guys will be creating a hockey heaven for a New Jersey Devils fan. We asked Siragusa (former NFL star and portrayer of bodyguard Frankie Cortese on The Sopranos) about the appeal of "Man Caves." His reply: "Men need their own space, a place where the kids and the wife - nobody comes in - but the man and his boys."
By Kathy Shaskan
We just made the acquaintance of Cedar Grove resident Christina Deyo, a supervising producer on the Emmy award-winning Martha Stewart Show. Why is she our “Friday Find?” Because we found out she juggles this demanding job while being a wife and mother of FIVE CHILDREN - and they’re all under the age of ten! Just for fun, we asked Deyo to describe a typical day:
By Kathy Shaskan
We just heard some terrific news from the Willow School in Gladstone. Their new building, called "The Barn," has been acknowledged as the greenest building in New Jersey! (Platinum certification, U.S. Green Building Council.)
The Barn has an amazing combination of eco-friendly features. It was built with salvaged and recycled materials. It uses rainwater running off the recycled steel roof to flush the toilets. Its wastewater is treated by passing it through a bed of hydroponically grown plants. Daylight is used to supplement electric light. Photovoltaic cells capture solar energy.
Bottom line: The Barn consumes 70% less energy and requires 50% less electrical lights compared to an identical building constructed to code. Congratulations, Willow School!
