“Trauma” is a melancholy song about fear, stemming from a dark childhood experience. It’s a true story about Carl Brister’s first-hand experience of sexual abuse as a child. “I processed it over time,” Brister said. “When I wrote the song, I came to understand that often traumatic situations relegate us to stay in dark and […]
The final plans for the new South Orange Public Library were unveiled last week at a Town Hall Meeting held at the original library site on Scotland Road. Architect Andrew Berman showed off the plans for the library’s design at the meeting that included representatives of the South Orange Public Library and South Orange Village […]
WEST ORANGE — A soft opening and ribbon cutting was held on April 20, celebrating the re-opening of Thomas Edison’s Black Maria. The Black Maria is a replica, constructed in 1954, of the World’s First Motion Picture Studio. It’s located at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park (TENHP). The re-opening of the Black Maria […]
Garden State Arts Weekend spotlights New Jersey’s arts, bringing together artists and the spaces where they showcase. Artist Christine Romanell spearheaded the idea, modeling the weekend after New York’s Upstate Art Weekend, an annual celebration that brings thousands of visitors to art spaces in the New York counties north of The Bronx. The historic Manufacturer’s […]
Durand-Hedden House and Garden recently hosted Columbia High School’s Accomplishing Artists Exhibit and Reception in their Carriage House. Lisa Marinardi, Durand-Hedden House and Garden event coordinator, said, “Ike was amazing putting it all together, in addition to being an artist.” Ike Hempstead, an 18-year-old senior at Columbia rallied the high school artists to make it […]
The Lions Club of West Orange recently held their major fundraiser in the West Orange High School Tarnoff Cafeteria. Lion’s Club Director and West Orange Chamber Board member Roger Schneider got a lot of the credit for the event’s success. “Roger hand delivers invitations. He has the personal touch,” said Mayor Susan McCartney. “He’s […]
The Wilshire Grand Hotel shook and the chandelier began vibrating last week as the force of nature temporarily interrupted the 14th Annual Meet the Mayors of Essex County event in West Orange. Attendees looked at each other quizzically but no one seemed too fazed, and the panel discussion carried on. “We are the most exciting […]
There were stickers and a raffle but there was also a giant bunny, a boa constrictor, a python and an alligator snapping turtle at the Recreation Department’s Spring Fling event in the new library. More than 100 people were at the event presented by the Recreation Department and Mayor Susan McCartney on March 28 at […]
WEST ORANGE — A celebration of the music of Nat King Cole was recently presented at Nia Fellowship Baptist Church by Community Concerts for Peace and Love. The evening kicked off with Bufford School of Music students, a local neighborhood music school, led by Greg Bufford. The Rev. Al Platt, pastor of the church, modestly […]
Isaiah House, a homeless shelter on North Munn Avenue in East Orange, recently announced it was receiving a $2 million grant from philanthropist and billionaire MacKenzie Scott and her organization, Yield Giving. “This is real. I could not speak,” said Zammeah Bivins-Gibson, executive director of Isaiah House. “I kept saying ‘Thank you God’ over and […]