Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Sandy Benefit Concert


FILE - This Aug. 14, 2012 file photo shows Bruce Springsteen performing at Fenway Park in Boston. NBC is holding a benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Sandy featuring some artists native to the areas hardest hit. Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi of New Jersey and Billy Joel of Long Island are scheduled to appear at the concert Friday, Nov. 2. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, file)
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Associated Press/Michael Dwyer, file - FILE - This Aug. 14, 2012 file photo shows Bruce Springsteen performing at Fenway Park in Boston. NBC is holding a benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Sandy featuringmore some artists native to the areas hardest hit. Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi of New Jersey and Billy Joel of Long Island are scheduled to appear at the concert Friday, Nov. 2. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, file) less


NEW YORK (AP) — NBC is doing a benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Sandy featuring some artists native to the areas hardest hit.
 
Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi of New Jersey and Billy Joel of Long Island are scheduled to appear at the concert Friday.
 
The telecast will benefit the American Red Cross and will be shown on NBC and its cable stations including Bravo, CNBC, USA, MSNBC and E! Other networks are invited to join in.
The concert will be hosted by Matt Lauer. It will air at 8 p.m. Eastern and will be taped-delayed in the West.
 
Other performers include Christina Aguilera, Sting and Jimmy Fallon.
The telethon will be broadcast from NBC facilities in Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

PSE&G update about Sandy

PSE&G Alert: Hurricane Sandy Update3:00pm


PSE&G is reporting 36,000 outages as the winds have picked up dramatically due to the approach of Hurricane Sandy.

The number of utility workers and contractors who will be restoring service once the strong winds subside is now at 1,550 - 950 of them from outside NJ to assist PSE&G's own contingent of 600 linemen. PSE&G has also secured 526 tree contractors to clear damaged trees and limbs from power lines. Crews have been arriving from Texas, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Florida, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Georgia and New Jersey, as well as Canada.

PSE&G urges customers to prepare for the possibility of lengthy outages - perhaps seven days or more -- due to the enormity of Hurricane Sandy, which forecasters predict may become the worst storm to hit the Northeast in 100 years. It may take until Wednesday until a full assessment of the storm's damage can be made and the utility can more accurately predict when full restoration can be made.

PSE&G will be ready to respond to outages as soon as the strong winds subside and it is safe to work in bucket trucks and other equipment. Flooding and downed trees also can make it hard for crews to get to damage locations. We work closely with towns and counties to clear roads so that we can respond.

Many of the outages are caused by falling trees and limbs, which bring down power lines. Downed wires should always be considered "live." STAY AWAY FROM ALL DOWNED LINES. Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything that it might be in contact with. To report a downed wire and other visible equipment damage, call
1-800-436-PSEG
and tell PSE&G the nearest cross street.

To report a power outage, call PSE&G's Customer Service line: 1-800-436-PSEG.

In addition to widespread electric outages, PSE&G expects the heavy rain and predicted storm surge to result in gas outages. Water could enter the utility's gas distribution system, as well as flood customers' basements and gas appliances. Customers are reminded to call PSE&G to report gas odors, and contact their local fire department and municipal construction office to receive assistance in pumping the water out of their basements.

Customers with wells are advised to have a supply of bottled drinking water on hand, and should fill the bathtub with water for sanitary purposes.

Crews work around the clock to repair equipment and restore power. The utility's call center also will be fully staffed on a 24-hour basis to handle calls from customers. Other employees will assist with assessing storm damage, keeping the public away from any downed power lines and other functions that support restoration efforts.

Electric crews work to restore power to the largest numbers of customers first, taking into account "priority" customers, such as hospitals, police stations, fire stations, water and sewer facilities, communications facilities (TV, radio, and telephone), and customers on life-sustaining medical equipment. At the same time, the utility restores power to homes and businesses, starting with the circuits serving the largest number of customers.

Customers with a handheld device, or who are at an alternate location with power, can also report power outages and view the status of their outage by logging in to My Account at pseg.com. General outage activity throughout our service territory is available online at www.pseg.com/outagecenter and updates are posted on pseg.com during severe weather.
PSE&G has activated its Twitter page to keep the public informed about our restoration progress. Sign up as a follower at http://twitter.com/psegdelivers to monitor restoration progress.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Glen Rock Halloween Safety

Borough of Glen Rock - GRINS
You are receiving this email because you are a resident of Glen Rock. After reading, please forward this email to your friends and neighbors to help ensure that everyone stays in the loop!
Borough to Provide Safety Support for Traditional Halloween Activities
Dear Residents:
Please be advised that in response to the recent influx of luring incidents in Bergen County and the severe weather conditions predicted for the next few days, the Borough of Glen Rock is implementing an 8 p.m. curfew on October 30, 2012. The curfew will be strictly enforced. Additionally, the Borough strongly recommends that parents implement an 8 p.m. curfew for Halloween night.
As always, the Borough frowns on customary "Goosey Night" or "Mischief Night" practices. Please advise children accordingly: The deliberate destruction of someone else's property is a criminal offense on any night of the year and will be treated as such.
The Glen Rock Police Department is taking a proactive approach to address these serious issues and encourages parents to do the same. While the Glen Rock Police Department will have extra patrols out on both nights, there is no substitute for a parent's vigilant gaze.
Parents can protect their children by walking with them as they trick or treat this Halloween and by making sure that minors are attended. It is important to know where your children are going and who they will be with. Talk to your children about strangers and how to react if approached. An inch of precaution can save miles in heartache.
Finally, please report any suspicious individuals or behavior to the police immediately. Dial 911 for emergencies and (201) 652-3800 for non-emergencies. Time is of the absolute essence in these situations.
For more information and tips on how to teach your children to recognize and react to dangerous situations and strangers, please visit http://www.ncpc.org/topics/violent-crime-and-personal-safety/strangers.
For Halloween safety tips, visit http://www.ncpc.org/topics/halloween-safety .
Thank you for your attention to this matter. This Halloween, be safe and be well - well informed, well prepared, and well connected.
Please stay tuned for an important message about storm preparation.
For more information on this and other Borough happenings, visit us online, 'like' us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check out the Borough News bulletin board at the Glen Rock Public Library.
www.glenrocknj.net

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Ridgewood-Glen Rock Patch Storm News

From the Ridgewood-Glen Rock Patch-

Now would be a really good time to 'Like' the Glen Rock, NJ Office Of Emergency Management given the expected storm. Only 22 'Likes'? C'mon, really? Also 'Like' the Glen Rock Police Department - NJ - NJ and Borough of Glen Rock for some more information. It never hurts.

Those in Ridgewood should definitely 'Like' the Ridgewood Police Department and the Ridgewood Professional Firefighters FMBA Local 47. On Twitter, check out @RidgewoodOEM.

Of course, I really like disaster reporting and will not sleep over the storm period, so check back and check back often.

From the FB page- https://www.facebook.com/RidgewoodPatch


About

Welcome to your source for Ridgewood and Glen Rock news. Check out Ridgewood.Patch.com; Follow us on Twitter @ridgewoodpatch; E-mail me at james.kleimann@patch.com; Or give me a call 201-364-3232.
Company Overview
Welcome to your source for Ridgewood and Glen Rock news.

Check out Ridgewood.Patch.com;

Follow us on Twitter @ridgewoodpatch;
...

E-mail me at james.kleimann@patch.com;

Or give me a call 201-364-3232.
See More
Description
This Facebook page should serve as a community board, a place to discuss issues in Glen Rock and Ridgewood as well as a place to post events going on in the neighboring towns.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Mitzvah Day

GRJC Mitzvah Day:
Five Drives to Help Lives!!
November 4, 2012
Activities surrounding Glen Rock Jewish Center's Annual Mitzvah Day will give you multiple opportunities to perform acts of loving kindness. This year's theme is "The Year of the Child".

Blood Drive at GRJC
November 4, 2012
9:30 am to 2:00 pm


Your blood donation will be used for the patients in our area hospitals who require life saving blood transfusions. It could be someone in your family, a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker...a baby, a mother, police officer or fire fighter. Please do your part. Give Blood. Save a Life!
To register: Contact Frances Skrobe at 201-652-1216 or via email at fskrobe@verizon.net or Jodie Stewart at jastewart@optonline.net. Walk-ins are welcome!!!
Please eat before donating and bring a photo ID. Thank you!


Soles4Souls
Drop off at GRJC

Your donations of used children's and adults' shoes will go to disaster-stricken areas in this country but also overseas to developing countries via Soles4Souls. The shoes can even be in bad shape but should be clean, with the pairs secured together, either tied or with rubber bands around each pair.
Bring shoes in any time between now and November 11 or 12 and leave them in the alcove near the front door of the synagogue. Thank you!


Toiletries to Benefit the Homeless
Drop off at GRJC

Toiletries will be collected to benefit homeless adults in the Bergen County Shelter in Hackensack, NJ. Items needed include: shampoo, soap, conditioner, moisturizers, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc. No mouthwash, please.
Bring items in any time between now and November 11 or 12 and leave them in the alcove near the front door of the synagogue. Thank you!


Book Donation Program
Drop off at GRJC

We will be collecting Books for Ramapo Readers to distribute to K-12 students in the Paterson public schools. Books more suitable to adults will be brought to the Bergen County Shelter for Homeless Adults or to other venues.
Bring books in any time between now and November 11 or 12 and leave them in the alcove near the front door of the synagogue. Thank you!
.


Food Drive
Collection at GRJC


Those who haven't yet brought in their filled grocery bags, please do so. If you have already brought your bag for the Center for Food Action please consider bringing in a second filled bag.
Donors can bring their bags any time. There are a lot of struggling folks out there who depend on our contributions! Thank you!

To view the Mitzvah Day brochure and sign up for a variety of volunteer opportunities, please visit: Mitzvah Day 2012

"There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up."

John Holmes
THANK YOU!!

Friday, October 19, 2012

Camp Memories & the New Rolls Royce of Day Camps (Spring Lake Day Camp)

I went to camp. I think camp for Jewish kids is a rite of passage. Most end up going to sleep away camp but I never did. I didn't want to leave my friends at home. I was afraid of losing the connection. But now, because of Facebook, I'm kind of jealous I never went because I see these sleep away camp FB groups where these people are all still really tight like 30-40 years later! But back to day camp...

I went to Town & Country in Old Tappan. I remember the names and faces of girls (and boys) I knew when I was five years old. I've recognized some of them in the mall here and there over the years. Most I never approached but I remember being in the changing bunk with them, looking up to the older girls, listening to Eye of the Tiger in the gymnastics building, and Jam On It on Joanne Lamstein's radio in the back of the bus with Johanna & Cathy Lamstein, Danny Bright & Todd McDonald . I remember Danielle Gallant and her older sister coming to camp hysterical crying. Crying for the ENTIRE DAY. Why? Because John Taylor (or Simon LeBon?) from Duran Duran had the NERVE to get married. I remember "cutting" periods with Lyris Autran, Jen Selig, Allyson Goldstein & Nirene DiNardo, going to the swings, and just hanging out, thinking we were so cool. There were water balloon fights with Adam "Droops" Kestin and Dave Tully. I remember loving color war, singing all the "fight songs" and watching the counselors paint the "team" plaques to be hung by the pool and all over campus. I remember the canteen, the fruit punch & orange drink in the mini cartons for snack. It probably wasn't the nicest camp but I definitely remember having fun, making friends, learning to swim and making lanyards in box stitch.

But, Town & Country is now something else. I'm not sure if it's homes or still some kind of camp but it isn't the old T&C, that's for sure. Any of these Bergen County camps were probably on very expensive land and they all sold out to developing companies. I can't remember all the names but there was definitely a Jellybean Camp and Camp Scuffy. I can't think of the others but if anyone else can recall, feel free to post them and your memories!

Day camp has come a long way. I now have a child and he's already gone to camp. He loved camp both years he's gone already. Choosing a camp is hard though. There are finances and camp ain't cheap no matter where you pick. You want to feel like you're getting the most for your money. And when you also work, you need something that really fits with your schedule, otherwise you have to factor in other costs like extra swim lessons outside of a camp that doesn't offer them or after camp babysitting.

Two years ago E was at the Glen Rock Jewish Center for camp. I can't express my love for them enough. The staff is a lot of the teachers from the school year and Hilarie the director is the same. I love the whole community here. But, they just don't have the kind of hours/weeks I need. It's just too short of a day and amount of weeks offered. It's very affordable. But they also don't have their own pool and my son can't be trusted to be at the town pool without me there. He's used to being there and he runs around the pool. If I can't stop him, I can't imagine someone else can either. I could be wrong but the fact remains, I still need more time/weeks. But, FYI, if you are even thinking of registering there, I'd make sure you do it the first day registration opens because it's sold out faster than a Springsteen concert in NJ.

Last year E was at Barnert in Franklin Lakes. It just wasn't the place for us. It's a beautiful facility. But they also don't have a pool and I really want daily swim instruction. The plus side is they are the only camp I know of around who does NINE weeks. BUT, they start at 9:30 vs most camps picking up by bus around 8-8:30a or having drop off at 9a. It cost maybe double or triple what GRJC costs and they expected me to pay $10/day for drop-off at 9a instead of 9:30 so I could make it to work on time. I think it's extemely ballsy to charge $3600 for camp for the summer where it's only until 3p three days a week and the other two are til 1p and lunch is additonal money. I had to pay the $10/day to the person watching him who was also his counselor. So for a half hour she'd already be there, where he's basically playing with toys with other kids there or on his own, I paid $270 in cash to her, then I also was giving a tip in the end. It just all left a bad taste for me. There was more but I'm not going to go on a negative turn (anymore than I have). It's just not for us.

In the Bergen/Passaic area, there is basically only one private day camp- Spring Lake Day Camp in Ringwood. I actually worked there in the summers of 1992 and 1993. I remembered it more like Camp North Star than Camp Mohawk (Meatballs reference) to be honest. I remembered it being more on par with Town & Country. Stacy Pett, Mark (swim guy), and I hanging out in the "grove" in the mornings, "Gossip, Gossip, We Want Gossip" with Alex Morik & Amy Ouida on Friday mornings for line-up on the big lawn by the pool. But, regular camp. Bug juice, hot days & homemade PB&J for lunch.

Well, we're not at North Star anymore! I went there this past Saturday for their Open House event....

Oh. My. God. How could you NOT want to send your kid there? I was so in awe when I got out of the car- it barely looked like the same place. We had a lot of the specialties when I worked there but not in the same capacity whatsoever. New buildings, new pools, added activities. One of the biggest changes I noticed is the food pavilion. We all used to bring lunch, kids and adults, and they'd put it in refrigerators until lunch time. I remember lunch time well because after we all scarfed down our bagged lunch I'd French braid nineteen heads, quickly, using forks to avoid a lice epidemic. Now they have a catered hot lunch, included in the cost of the summer tuition. What? We had some of that lunch on Saturday and it was awesome. Organic milks, yogurt, bbq, fruit, salad, kid-friendly, etc. Floored.

I took a tour and one thing was better than the next. They expanded the grounds, they made new bunks, there is zip lining, a cooking studio, nature, ceramics, arts & crafts, go carts, dance, drama, hockey, basketball, daily swim instruction & free swim, music, boating, rock climbing, and special events like Carnival Day. It's become the Rolls Royce of camps in Bergen. It is just a beautiful place where I would be thrilled to send my kid. Of course, you get what you pay for and you pay for what you get. So it's a hefty price tag for the summer. But, in the same breath, I can say, I wouldn't need additional babysitting or a special early morning drop off. They are picked up and dropped off door to door by a bus so I wouldn't have to race against 208 traffic to get him there on time and still make it to work on time too. I wouldn't have to leave work in the middle of a sale to pick him up. THAT alone makes it worth it. There is just a lot of awesomeness there I'd like E to experience. He had such a fun time there just for the Open House. I can only imagine how much he'd love a whole summer.

So, I don't know what we're going to do. You may even be wondering why I'm writing about camps in October. But believe it or not, a lot of these camps have early-bird special pricing that ENDS by the end of October. They also all fill up quickly because there actually are NOT that many options anymore for full eight week camps. There are sport/acting/dance specific "camps" but those are usually only 2-4 weeks tops. If you're home, planning to go on vacation, or have other plans, these shorter camp sessions might have a lot of appeal to you, but if you work, you kind of need something stable for as many weeks as possible. Luckily E's school has a "mini camp" for the two weeks after school ends, which is imperative for me to be able to use. I also sign up for that the day I get the registration paper to ensure a spot is held. I need as little lag as possible which I assume anyone who works would also need. I get that most full time working parents use a regular daycare setting so they may not have these problems but E's school is a regular school that lets out for the summer. And I love the school so there isn't a question of switching to a daycare setting (although I am a huge daycare center supporter).

Of course there are other options for camp around. I'm pretty sure if I think Spring Lake is the Rolls Royce of Bergen, Ramapo is arguably the Maybach? of Rockland? My friend has worked there for like fifteen years and from what I hear, it's ridiculously awesome. Just totally out of my realm of possibility on cost. So I won't even look at it. But if Stein works there and is in charge, it must be great. My other friend, Cohen, sends her kids to Deer Kill, also in Rockland and can't rave enough. It's still one at the top of the list for E. I just haven't been able to get there- it's in Suffern and it's just out of my way. Tried to get there in the summer during camp and I just couldn't do it.But she's not the only one I've heard good things about it from. I've also heard great things about the Wyckoff Y. It's also just one of those programs though that isn't lengthy enough in weeks for me and I'd have to pick up and drop off. I'm just really looking for a bus option this year.

But here are the NJ/NY options I know for those getting ready to start their 2013 summer planning:

Glen Rock Jewish Center: http://www.grjc.org/learn/summer-camps.asp

Barnert: http://www.barnerttemple.org/Learning_Together/Preschool_and_Kindergarten/Day_Camp/

Spring Lake: http://www.springlakedaycamp.com/

Wyckoff YMCA: http://www.wyckoffymca.org/childcare-camp/camp-wydaca/

Ridgewood YMCA: http://www.ridgewoodymca.org/camp

Rockland:

Deer Kill: http://www.deerkilldaycamp.com/?gclid=CPCe3IvUjbMCFcSd4AodfCoAYA

Blue Rill: http://www.bluerilldaycamp.com/

Camp Ramah: http://www.ramahnyack.org/

Ramapo Country Day: http://www.ramapocamp.com/#/home/

Ramaquois: http://www.ramaquois.com/

And if you're in the market for sleep away- My old camp director bosses (Lori & Ephram) at the Clifton & Bergen YMHAs (back in the early 90's) own Camp Wekeela in in Maine. I see their pictures from camp on FB all the time and I hope to one day be able to afford to send E to sleep away there. If there are any people I would trust with my kid for the summer, it's them. I remember when I worked for them when I was 20, their dream was to own a camp. Now they do and I'm sure it rocks.

http://campwekeela.com/

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Halloweenie Activity

I do not like Halloween. I'll be honest. Even as a kid, I remember not wanting to be anyone but me. But it comes, every year, and is slightly more fun now, having a kid really excited to wear a costume. Of course, now it's not my choice of costume for him anymore, so gone are the cute things and now it's all about the almighty superhero. Green Lantern in my house. I'm sure if you have a small boy, you're feeling my pain.

BUT, there are always some cool things to do if you're into the Halloween spirit. For both kids and adults. These are two I grabbed off Facebook so if you're looking for something fun, these looked pretty interesting...

 
 

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Fraud presentation

***IMPORTANT for all of you who have fallen for the email from your "friend" stuck in another country needing heaps of cash wired to them. And for all of you that might fall for it in the future.***

REMINDER: SCAM & FRAUD PRESENTATION TONIGHT: The free workshop about scam and fraud prevention starts at 7:00pm tonight at Glen Rock Borough Hall in the Courtroom/council chambers. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. Learn how to identify and protect yourselves and loved ones. Avoid becoming a victim. Presented by the GRPD. Any questions call Det. James Calaski at 201-670-3948.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Ladies Night

I can't go- too much going on this week. But I do always enjoy Blue Moon! Join the Glen Rock Newcomers & Neighbors group and you can be part of fun events like this!! It's a lot of fun and you'll make new friends. How could you resist? I thought I was out of the N&N group because I've been living here since 2006 and this cool group of ladies sucked me back in.

From Madame GRN&N Prez:

Things are shaping up for Ladies Night Out! Please buy your tickets by Thursday AM so we can get the restaurant a headcount. They are VERY busy on Fridays so we will need a solid reservation. http://glenrocknewcomers.com/events/fiesta-friday

From the N&N site:

Come join the Ladies of GRNN for dinner and drinks at Blue Moon Café in Wyckoff. It’s a fun atmosphere to chat, catch up and to enjoy a live band while we chow! Price includes an appetizer, soft drinks and choice of dinner from a set menu. Don’t miss the fiesta!!


Cost:
$27 per person.
Cost includes an appetizer, dinner, soda, coffee, tea, tax, and tip.
You will only have to pay for any additional drinks (they have a bar).

Who can attend:
Female Members only. Please buy a ticket by 10.17.12.

Finding the Group:
Ask for the GRNN Ladies Night Out.

Host:
Katie will be hosting this event, http://glenrocknewcomers.com/profile/Gibs

Directions:
Plenty of free parking. Located in the Boulder Run Shopping Center.
http://www.bluemoonmexicancafe.com/


Monday, October 15, 2012

Coffee & Political Hell. And Vote Ali.

What is the story with coffee culture? I feel like Seinfeld asking this...like, I HEAR Jerry saying, "What. Is the deal. With coffee?". But seriously.

I'm not a coffee drinker- never was. I don't feel the effects of caffeine like most people do. I don't understand the whole, "don't talk to me until I've had my coffee..." thing. I've always been a night owl as anyone that knows me can attest to- especially my husband who caught me laying on the floor, in the dark, under my vanity table last night at 1:19 am, on the phone with a childhood friend, discussing our upcoming twenty year reunion. He was like, WTF are you doing and what could you possibly have to talk about the reunion at this hour? Well, that's my best hour. And lucky it is because then my other longtime-from-childhood friend was texting me about her two year old's fever. And then my 3 year old was yelling out about nothing. Good thing B usually wears earplugs. Blame Rita, I get the night owl gene from my mother.

So back to the coffee. When I was a social worker and worked in an office for the first time, I was almost face-planted at my desk at 10:30 every morning. I'd drink their in-office coffee and it never helped. It just upset my stomach. Sorry, TMI. But yeah, then I stopped drinking it when I stopped working in an office. Never missed it.

For like sixty days, I was on phentermine for weight loss. Don't care if you judge- it was the BEST. THING. EVER. For the first time in my life I wasn't thinking about food at all. I felt like I was focused, accomplishing things, productive as hell. AND NEVER TIRED. I could sleep only five hours a night and never feel it. WELL, you can buy a box a wine on the daily and drink it all up and no one cares. But you can only get phentermine by prescription and doctors are stingy as all hell with it. So annoying, but whatever. I started going to Starbucks in the morning. I'm trying out coffee again. I need SOMETHING. Some kind of stimulant or I'm going to be fat AND tired.

I'm finding the Starbucks culture to be completely douchey. I want a small, not a tall. Why does everything have to be it's own language. I could have an anxiety attack just listening to people order. Then heaven forbid you get into one these coffee asshole's way, you're lucky if you don't get knocked out.

I happen to like their "Skinny Vanilla Latte". I don't even know what a latte actually is, but the whole drink is sweet so it's right up my alley. But the other day someone ordered a gran-day no-whip non-fat chai tea with 2 splenda or some crazy shit. Then today, someone ordered something with "two pumps". Then some guy who is a regular there was talking to me as we're at the "accoutrements" counter as I call it- where the sugars/milk/napkins are and she SHOOED me away with a look like- "HEY I HAVE SHIT TO DO!". Sorry two-pump chump, I didn't know you couldn't just walk AROUND me. I'm not that big- I've been on diet pills, biotch. I lost 10 lbs in like three weeks. I mean, how much could you need to do to it after getting a drink with two pumps of something??

Anyway, it kills me to say "Tall Skinny Vanilla Latte" and pay $3.58 for something when the foam on top goes flat, is only like 3/4 full. It's all a scam. It's unfortunate- I don't even want to talk shit about Starbucks since at least, as far as I read, they are socially liberal and gay supportive. I haven't been talking much about politics for a few reasons. One, I don't care who you're voting for and why. I've heard enough. It's getting ugly, I don't want to argue with people I really do like, outside of politics. Two, no one is changing anyone's mind. Your FB passion is nice and all, but for most, it's the ultimate in Slacktivism. Let me know what you're doing beyond passing on articles from whatever side's bias you're reading. I'm sure for every article you have on your side, I can find three hundred more on mine. And then you can find four hundred to refute mine. It's ridiculous. I've only been posting things I think are funny (which I've even been keeping that to a minimum) and stuff about what some people call "social issues" and I just call "human issues". Most of the Republicans *I* personally know aren't the morality police either- they do believe in gay marriage and womens reproductive rights. So to me, it's not D vs R, it's human vs inhumane.

Hey- I was disappointed with Obama's performance at the first debate too. I don't just blindly love Obama. Or any candidate. Well, except Bill and Hill, but they're another story all together. But I am beyond passionate about marriage equality. BEYOND. I don't even understand how this is up for debate in this day and age. I don't understand why more people aren't totally just storming Washington and rioting or something when a candidate for ANY office runs on how they're going to push their religious beliefs into law. I think someone should be immediately disqualified if they even mention God or religion anywhere in their campaigning. I don't know what happened to "separation of church and state" because it sure seems very important for a POTUS candidate to be vocal about his religion and belief in a god. Most definitely a Christian version of God too. Personally, I'd like to see an atheist or at least an agnostic in the White House because then it would at least SEEM like a fair playing field for all. That will never happen because for some reason we've moved to an America that's totally cool with a whole religious overtone in politics somehow.

Yes I care about economics. Finances. But I care about people and their rights more. Always did, always will. I didn't get into social work to become a millionaire. I love money, I love material things, but I love my friends more. I love people who need help. I may not be wealthy and I definitely have anxiety about bills like everyone else. But someone ALWAYS has it worse and I'm not above helping those in need. More importantly, these "hard times" everyone keeps talking about are also about HUMAN RIGHTS and not everyone having the same ones. And then it's about womens rights being stripped from us. So yeah, it's not all about the mighty dollar for me. It's about my friends- good, honest, hard-working people, parents, children, aunts, uncles, etc all who just want the same freedoms the "norm" enjoys. It's time for The New Normal folks....

Which all brings me to the quote I will leave you with this morning....

This is my friend Ali. She used to be married to a guy. Now she's with a woman. I don't care who she is with- she's just really, really smart. And she says smart things. I saw this on FB this morning and I'm ready for Ali2016. Actually I'm ready for Ali2012 but I don't think she has time to raise the billions of dollars she'd need to fight the good fight this year.

Here's what she said:

"Well I'm sold! So excited to vote for Romney! I can't wait to get my free calendar so I can start having some babies and doing my part to fix the economy! Ha- of course I’m going to get married first, I'm not some drug-smoking teen ...streetwalker! No food stamps for me, I'll take that 2nd income instead, thank you very much! Hey, pass me one of those binders full of women, would ya? So I can pick out a wife, that's why, silly! Wait…I can’t…what? But I thought he said TWO parents? And I’m not so great with numbers, but wouldn’t it be more efficient if we were BOTH cranking out babies at the same...no? Oh. I see. Not legal. Well, I suppose it might be helpful to have a man around- I'll admit, I’m not sure I really understand how to take care of this uterus thingamabob. And he'll probably make more money than a wife would! Alright, bring me one of the binders full of men instead. Whatever helps create jobs and save America. Can I still keep these assault rifles though? Oh, I know we won’t really need them once we're all married and raising kids in two-parent households...but we should probably keep them handy for defending our marriages against the gays, right?"
 
Vote. Ali.
 
 
I would. Look at her. She never tried to gay me up either & I've shared a hotel room with her. Love you Ali.

Photo by Brian Gallagher

Sunday, October 14, 2012

GRJC Movie Day- Sunday!

I can't go but here's the 411 on Movie Day!

Glen Rock Jewish Center
It's Show Time!
Sunday, October 21 at 4:00 pm







Glen Rock Jewish Center Film Series Kicks Off Second Season with "Kinderblock 66: Return to Buchenwald"
Date: Sunday, October 21
Place: Glen Rock Jewish Center -- 682 Harristown Road, Glen Rock, NJ
Time: 4:00 pm
Fee: $10/person,includes popcorn, snacks, soft drinks, coffee and tea. Open to the public.
Contact: GRJC Office at 201-652-6624


The film's director, Rob Cohen will lead a discussion following the film.
Summary:
By late 1944, World War II appeared to be nearing its bloody end. In the East, the Soviet Army had pushed the Nazi war machine back toward Germany's borders, while from the West, the US and British armies were advancing toward the Rhine. But even as the war's outcome became clearer ,the Nazis continued to carry out their effort to exterminate the Jews of Europe.
As the Nazis liquidated the extermination camps in the East, they forced tens of thousands of Jewish prisoners westward on death marches. Transports arrived at the Buchenwald concentration camp from Auschwitz in the winter of 1944/45. Unknown thousands of prisoners died on the way.
Upon seeing this influx of new prisoners, the Communist-led underground at Buchenwald, which administered the camp on a day-to-day basis, made a conscious decision to protect the youths who were among the newest inmates. They established a children's block, barrack 66, led by Antonin Kalina, a Czech Communist and his deputy, Gustav Schiller, a Polish Jew. The barrack was situated far away from the camp's main gate and far from the gaze of the Nazi SS. The underground strove until the last days of the war and beyond to keep the youths alive.
On April 11, 1945, Buchenwald was liberated. Nearly 1,000 boys survived. On April 11, 2010, sixty-five years later, several of the surviving boys from block 66 returned to Weimar and to Buchenwald. This is their story.