October is Rett Syndrome Awareness Month

Do you know why
I have a purple porch light on my house?

And why I'm turning my page purple for the month?

It's to raise awareness about Rett Syndrome, because this is Rett Syndrome Awareness Month.

Rett syndrome is a disorder of the nervous system that leads to developmental reversals.

Rett syndrome occurs almost exclusively in girls and may be misdiagnosed as autism or cerebral palsy.

Studies have linked many Rett syndrome cases to a defect in a gene on the X chromosome. 

The condition affects about 1 out of 10,000 children.

Symptoms 

An infant with Rett syndrome usually has normal development for the first 6 - 18 months. Symptoms range from mild to severe.

Just some of the symptoms may include:

• Apraxia (a disorder of the brain and nervous system in which a person is unable to perform tasks or movements when asked, even though the request or command is understood and they are willing to perform the task)
• Breathing problems 
• Change in development
• Excessive saliva and drooling
• Floppy arms and legs -- frequently the first sign
• Intellectual disabilities and learning difficulties (assessing cognitive skills in those with Rett syndrome, however, is difficult because of the speech and hand motion abnormalities)
• Shaky, unsteady, or stiff gait; or toe walking
• Seizures
• Loss of purposeful hand movements; for example, the grasp used to pick up small objects is replaced by repetitive hand motions like hand wringing or constant placement of hands in mouth
• Loss of social engagement
• Severe language development problems

This video from the View really tells you a lot about Rett Syndrome.

(If you don't see the video in your email, please click HERE)

Please consider making a donation to Rett Syndrome Research. The cure is within reach.

You can donate RIGHT NOW by going to Kelly's "strollathon" page, HERE. Kelly is my best friend Beth's daughter. She is a Rett Syndrome Angel, and she really needs a cure ... so even if you can only donate a dollar or two, make a donation for Kelly! Someday, with a cure, she may be able to thank you herself!

Basic Politics ... for everyone in Iselin

Politics.  eek.
I like to live in my happy little world, and I hate arguments. On the other hand, I do like debates and discussions, if they are civil, and I am always willing to listen to other points of view. But I am usually on the unpopular side of any discussion. So I avoid much politics here on the Iselin Times. I want this blog to be a unifying force, not something that will create more reasons for people to dislike each other.

Well this article is all about politics. Because it's really confusing - at least, it's confusing to me. And I don't think I'm the only one. So here is some of the details about politics in Iselin. I don't think I'm putting up any information that is "opinion", I'm trying to stick strictly to "fact", so I don't think it's debatable. I tried to research this stuff really carefully, but, I COULD be wrong about something. Because like I said - I get confused by some of this. PLEASE comment me and tell me I'm not the only one who gets confused! And, even more importantly, if you see something wrong, please let me know right away so I can correct myself!

Election day will be November 8th.

Why, then, am I writing this information so early?

Because if you aren't registered to vote, you need to do that 21 days before the election, which is October 18th.
ARE YOU REGISTERED? If not, you can get all the information about how to do that by going HERE! So simple! Just make sure the form is in by October 18th!!!

I don't really care what side you are on. Everyone who is eligible to vote should do so. It's your right and responsibility. People in other countries FIGHT for this right.

What are the requirements to be eligible to vote?
You must be 18 by the date of the election,
a Citizen of the USA,
a resident of your municipality for at least 30 days before the election,
and you must not be a felon, in jail, or on parole.

Do you know where to go to vote? Where is your "polling place"?
Ha, I've got another great link for you! If you go HERE, you'll find out where you are supposed to go to vote, and you will also find out what Ward, District, Congressional District, and Legislative District you live in. And yeah, that can be really confusing, because the political map isn't carved up as simply as you would think it should be. (I know they have their reasons, but it adds to the confusion.)

And what if you aren't going to be home, or for whatever reason you can't get to your polling place on November 8th? Well, in that case you should look into a Mail-in Ballot! The fact is, you can vote by mail, and you don't even really need a good reason. They want it to be easy. And yes, I've got a link for information on that, too! That link is HERE :)

WHO ARE OUR REPRESENTATIVES?

Our President is US President Barack Obama. 
(The Presidential Election will be held Tuesday, November 6th, 2012. 
The Presidential Primary in New Jersey will be held in June 2012; this is when the parties will decide on their candidates.)


US Congressional District 7, and is represented Congressman Leonard Lance (R).
(He would be up for re-election in 2012.)


Our United States Senators are Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D)
(He is currently the oldest US Senator.  His re-election bid would come in 2014.)

and Senator Robert Menendez (D).
(He was elected to his six-year term in 2006.)

Our Governor is New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R).
(He keeps saying he is NOT going to run for Republican Candidate for President.  Everyone keeps talking about it and trying to figure out if he really means it.  We'll have to see.)


Our State Senate and State House District is District 19.  NJ District 19 includes Carteret, Perth Amboy, Sayreville, South Amboy, and Woodbridge Township.
District 19 is represented by State Assemblyman Craig J. Coughlin (D) and State Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski (D).
(They will be running against Angel J. Leon (R) and Shane Robinson (R).)

We are also represented in Trenton by State Senator Joseph Vitale (D).
(He will be running against Paul Lund (R).)


Our Mayor is Mayor John E. McCormac (D) 
(He will be running against Christopher Struben (R).)

And our Woodbridge Town Council:
James Major -- Councilman Fourth Ward (Yay! That's my Ward in Iselin!)
James V. Carroll -- Councilman-at-Large
Gregg M. Ficarra--  Councilman-at-Large
Kyle Anderson -- Councilman-at-Large (He's from Iselin!)
Brenda Yori Velasco --  Councilwoman-at-Large
Charles Kenny -- Councilman-First Ward
Richard A. Dalina -- Councilman-Second Ward
Michele Charmello -- Councilwoman – Third Ward
Robert G. Luban -- Councilman-Fifth Ward

("McCormac is running for reelection with at-large council members James Carroll, Gregg Ficarra, and Brenda Yori Velasco. Kyle Anderson, who was appointed to his at-large seat, is also running for a first time election, as is Michele Charmello, who was appointed to represent the third ward....(They are running against ) ...Christopher Struben, along with his council at-large candidates Eduardo Ascolese, Walter Kaczmarek, Jr., and Debra Reinhart..." )-- Jason Cohen, Woodbridge Patch article HERE and 

("On the WTRO side, there are Susan Boros and Peter Kothari.)
-- from the comments on the same article in the Woodbridge Patch, by Tom Maras.

Hmm.  I think I got everyone.  And I think it's all accurate.  
Let me know if I missed someone or something! 

Taste of Woodbridge Tickets available

The Taste of Woodbridge tickets are now available...  This article is from the Woodbridge Township E-News newsletter that I received today.

"Experience the best food, wine and beer that Woodbridge has to offer at the "Taste of Woodbridge" on Fri., Oct. 14 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. With more than 25 restaurants participating, you will have the opportunity to wine and dine on a wide variety of culinary delicacies from Woodbridge's finest restaurants. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $30 at Woodbridge Town Hall, The Community Center and YMCA, Music on Main Street concerts, "Taste of Woodbridge" restaurants or online at: tasteofwoodbridge.tix.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the door for $35. All proceeds will be donated to the Mayor McCormac Charity Fund. Raise your glass to a worthy (and delicious) cause. For more information contact The Mayor's Office at 732-634-4500 or wbmayor@twp.woodbridge.us."  --

BarronFest Art Show Tomorrow!

Last year, I participated in the BarronFest Art Show. This year, I'll only be a spectator. It was a bucket-list event, and as fun as it was, my priorities have been elsewhere this year. But I think everyone should still go see the art show; a little culture is a wonderful thing! I can't wait to see some of the works of art on display. Maybe I'll see you there?

The Quote of the Day

  Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.  

~Twyla Tharp

Welcome Back to the Sun!!!

This photo was taken with thoughts of Mrs. T., my dear neighbor who passed away a while ago. We miss you, Mrs. T., and I love to think of you knitting the trees with the sky and quilting the clouds, as your daughter wrote!

VETERANS BENEFIT FORUM TO BE HELD SATURDAY

Are you a veteran, or do you know someone who is?  This could be really important information:

A   “Veterans Outreach & Benefit Forum” will be held at the Woodbridge Community Center on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.   It will be hosted by Mayor John E. McCormac and Senator Joseph Vitale, and will include representatives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, New Jersey Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, Middlesex County One Stop Career Center, Social Security Administration, Woodbridge Township Department of Health & Human Services, Woodbridge Veterans Alliance, and Woodbridge Township veterans organizations.  All of these people will be on-hand to provide information on benefits and to answer questions regarding how to access and obtain benefits and services available to all veterans.

Admission is free…  the information is priceless…  contact the Woodbridge Township Department of Recreation & Resident Services at 732-596-4045 for more information.


WHEN:          SAT., OCT. 1, 2011

                   10:00 A.M. TO NOON

WHERE:       Woodbridge Community Center

                        600 Main Street, Woodbridge

Happy Rosh HaShanah!

 Rosh HaShanah begins today... Don't you love holidays?!

In honor of the holiday, Woodbridge Township Public Schools
are closed tomorrow and Friday.

I copied this information about the holiday from Judaism.about.com,

which you can find HERE.

"What Is Rosh HaShanah?"
Rosh HaShanah (ראש השנה) is the Jewish New Year. It falls once a year during the month of Tishrei and occurs ten days before Yom Kippur. Together, Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are known as the Yamim Nora’im, which means the Days of Awe in Hebrew. In English they are often referred to as the High Holy Days.

The Meaning of Rosh HaShanah
Rosh HaShanah literally means “Head of the Year” in Hebrew. It falls in the month of Tishrei, which is the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar. The reason for this is because the Hebrew calendar begins with the month of Nissan (when it's believed the Jews were freed from slavery in Egypt) but the month of Tishrei is believed to be the month in which God created the world. Hence, another way to think about Rosh HaShanah is as the birthday of the world.

Rosh HaShanah is observed on the first two days of Tishrei. Jewish tradition teaches that during the High Holy Days God decides who will live and who will die during the coming year. As a result, during Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur (and in the days leading up to them) Jews embark upon the serious task of examining their lives and repenting for any wrongs they have committed during the previous year. This process of repentance is called teshuvah. Jews are encouraged to make amends with anyone they have wronged and to make plans for improving during the coming year. In this way, Rosh HaShanah is all about making peace in the community and striving to be a better person.

Even though the theme of Rosh HaShanah is life and death, it is a holiday filled with hope for the New Year. Jews believe that God is compassionate and just, and that God will accept their prayers for forgiveness.

Rosh HaShanah Liturgy
The Rosh HaShanah prayer service is one of the longest of the year. Only the Yom Kippur service is longer. Rosh HaShanah service usually runs from early morning until the afternoon and is so unique that it has its own prayer book called the Makhzor. Two of the most well known prayers from Rosh HaShanah liturgy are:

Unetaneh Tohkef – This prayer is about life and death. Part of it reads: "On Rosh HaShanah it is written, and on Yom Kippur it is sealed, how many will leave this world and how many will be born into it, who will live and who will die... But penitence, prayer and good deeds can annul the severity of the decree."
Avienu Malkeinu – Another famous prayer is Avienu Malkeinu, which means “Our Father Our King” in Hebrew. Usually the entire congregation will sing the last verse of this prayer in unison, which says: "Our Father, our King, answer us as though we have no deed to plead our cause, save us with mercy and loving-kindness."

Customs and Symbols
On Rosh HaShanah it is customary to greet people with "L'Shanah Tovah," which is Hebrew that is usually translated as "For a Good Year" or "May you have a good year." Some people also say "L'shana tovah tikatev v'etahetem," which means "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year." (If said to a woman the greeting would be: "L'shanah tovah tikatevi v'tahetemi"). This greeting refers to the belief that a person’s fate for the coming year is decided during the High Holy Days.

The shofar is an important symbol of Rosh HaShanah. It is an instrument often made of a ram's horn and is blown one hundred times during each of the two days of Rosh HaShanah. The sound of the shofar blast reminds people of the importance of reflection during this important holiday. Learn more about the shofar in this article.

Tashlich is a ceremony that usually takes place during the first day of Rosh HaShanah. "Tashlich" literally means "casting off" and involves symbolically casting off the sins of the previous year by tossing pieces of bread or another food into a body of flowing water. 

Other significant symbols of Rosh HaShanah include apples, honey and round loaves of challah. Apple slices dipped in honey represent our hope for a sweet new year and are traditionally accompanied by a short prayer before eating that goes: "May it by Thy will, O Lord, Our God, to grant us a year that is good and sweet." Challah, which is usually baked into braids, is shaped into round loaves of bread on Rosh HaShanah. The circular shape symbolizes the continuation of life.

On the second night of Rosh HaShanah it is customary to eat a fruit that is new to us for the season, saying the shehechiyanu blessing as we eat it to thank God for bringing us to this season. Pomegranates are a popular choice because Israel is often praised for its pomegranates and because, according to legend, pomegranates contain 613 seeds – one for each of the 613 mitzvot. Another reason for eating pomegranates on Rosh HaShanah has to do with the symbolic hope that our good deeds in the coming year will be as many as the seeds of the fruit.

This year, Rosh HaShanah will be celebrated Sunset September 28, 2011 - nightfall September 30, 2011

Celebrate Banned Books Week

It amazes me that in this day and age, people are STILL trying to control what other people - other adults - can and cannot read. And, in fact, I don't want anyone telling me what me children can and cannot read, either; I want to make that decision for myself.

So, this is "Banned Books Week." And, in honor of the celebration, I'm going to read a banned book. Slaughterhouse Five is one of my favorite Vonnegut books of all time, and I keep it on my library shelf. It's on the list of books that have been banned. I plan on reading it tonight. What about you? Which of these books have you read, that you have enjoyed and perhaps learned a lot from, that someone would have wanted to prevent you from reading? From the ALA website, HERE;

"According to the Office for Intellectual Freedom, at least 46 of the Radcliffe Publishing Course Top 100 Novels of the 20th Century have been the target of ban attempts. The titles below represent banned or challenged books on that list."

1. The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald 2. The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger 3. The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck 4. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee 5. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker 6. Ulysses, by James Joyce 7. Beloved, by Toni Morrison 8. The Lord of the Flies, by William Golding 9. 1984, by George Orwell 11. Lolita, by Vladmir Nabokov 12. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck 15. Catch-22, by Joseph Heller 16. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley 17. Animal Farm, by George Orwell 18. The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway 19. As I Lay Dying, by William Faulkner 20. A Farewell to Arms, by Ernest Hemingway 23. Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston 24. Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison 25. Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison 26. Gone with the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell 27. Native Son, by Richard Wright 28. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, by Ken Kesey 29. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut 30. For Whom the Bell Tolls, by Ernest Hemingway 33. The Call of the Wild, by Jack London 36. Go Tell it on the Mountain, by James Baldwin 38. All the King's Men, by Robert Penn Warren 40. The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien 45. The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair 48. Lady Chatterley's Lover, by D.H. Lawrence 49. A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess 50. The Awakening, by Kate Chopin 53. In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote 55. The Satanic Verses, by Salman Rushdie 57. Sophie's Choice, by William Styron 64. Sons and Lovers, by D.H. Lawrence 66. Cat's Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut 67. A Separate Peace, by John Knowles 73. Naked Lunch, by William S. Burroughs 74. Brideshead Revisited, by Evelyn Waugh 75. Women in Love, by D.H. Lawrence 80. The Naked and the Dead, by Norman Mailer 84. Tropic of Cancer, by Henry Miller 88. An American Tragedy, by Theodore Dreiser 97. Rabbit, Run, by John Updike

Mark your Calendars for the Iselin Dist. 11 Fire Prevention Open House!

The Quote of the Day

Music Video for New Jersey

This is a youtube video of a peppy little rock song celebrating the great state of NJ...
wish it mentioned Iselin, but eh, nothing's perfect!

(If you can't see the video in your email, click HERE!)

Iselin's JFK is the #1 High School: September 2011 edition of Inside Jersey

Did all of you already see this, and no one mentioned it to me? Or is this news to you, as well?

I was on NJ.Com’s “Inside Jersey” section, and found their most recent ranking of NJ public High Schools; you can read it if you go HERE.  Or, you can buy the September 2011 edition of the “Inside Jersey” magazine, if you prefer print.

 

And YES, I was REALLY EXCITED!  Because it reaffirms something that we all already know …  That Iselin’ s JFK High School is NUMBER ONE!!!

I went to talk to the Principal of John F. Kennedy Memorial High School, Mr. Cilento, this morning.  He had seen the article, and was understandably very proud of his students, faculty, and staff.

“I truly believe it takes people, not programs, to successfully educate our kids,” he told me.  “We have a very dedicated faculty and staff, who take a lot of pride in making sure that each student who enters our building is successful.”  Mr. Cilento is famous for his speeches at assemblies and pep-rallies, declaring to the students that JFK is one of the best high schools in New Jersey.  Now he has even more proof!

I need to back up a minute, though.  To really understand our #1 ranking, there is one thing you need to know: mainly, that the ranking is based on a comparison of apples to apples.  Using the New Jersey Department of Education’s designation of “DFG’s”, or District Factor Groups, all of New Jersey’s school districts are divided into one of eight groups:  A, B, CD, DE, FG, GH, I, and J.  Schools grouped in each category are considered similar to each other.  The State of New Jersey formed these categories by considering specific socio-economic factors of each community from the US Census:  Educational Attainment, Occupational Status, Population Density, Income, Unemployment, and Poverty.

So the schools grouped in the “A” group have similar socio-economic status, and include places like Camden, Newark, and Perth Amboy.  On the opposite end of the spectrum, all the schools grouped into the J group have the highest socio-economic factors – places like Millburn and Mountain Lakes, where, for example, the median home prices are more than $900,000.  This makes sense to me.

 

JFK High School, and in fact all of Woodbridge Township, falls into the  “DE” category.   There are 52 High Schools in our category. We are grouped with towns like Jackson Township, Secaucus, Sayreville, Kenilworth, Ridgefield Park, and Toms River, among others. 

John F. Kennedy High School is number one of the 52 schools listed in the “DE” factor group.  And, as Mr. Cilento mentioned, “We are the only school in Middlesex County to receive a number one ranking within our group.”

I asked Mr. Cilento why he thinks our students are so successful, and he spoke to me again about the hard work and dedication of the faculty, staff, AND the students; and he continued,  “We believe that our great diversity, and the respect that our kids have for one another, has a lot to do with our success.  Our staff and students have bought into our vision, that the things we do across the curriculum – language arts, mathematics, (everything) – has helped with our success.”

Mr. Cilento also gave a lot of credit to caring parents, who are supportive of both their children and the High School.  “The parents have a major impact on the educational process, and the majority of our parents do support us, and do trust us to educate their child.”

“People will buy houses in Iselin specifically so their child can go to school here at JFK,” continued Principal Cilento.  “We have even had students from neighboring towns whose parents are willing to pay tuition in order to get their child enrolled here, and that is because of our reputation.  We have a good reputation in Academics, Athletics and the Arts.  (Our goal is to) set a positive educational tone, where children can come to school every day without the feeling of being harassed or intimidated.”

“What are your challenges, going forward?” I asked Mr. Cilento.

“We want to continue to challenge our students,” he said.  “We want to raise the bar academically.  We are looking to constantly improve all of the standardized testing scores, the SATs and PSATS as well as the state-mandated HSPA scores. We’ve had several students each year score perfect scores on sections of the SAT, and some of our students go on to very competitive Ivy League colleges, “ he concluded. 

The future can be very bright for a student at JFK High School in Iselin!

Devils come to the Community Center Tomorrow Wednesday 9/28 at 11 AM

The New Jersey Devils will take CENTER ICE at The Arenas at Woodbridge on Wednesday, September 28th, at 11:00 AM, to issue a challenge for Woodbridge Township residents to participate in “Drop-A-Ton” Wellness Program.

They will join Woodbridge Township Mayor John E. McCormac and the Mayors Wellness Campaign to encourage Township residents to sign-up for and participate in the “Drop-A-Ton” health and wellness weight-loss campaign. The Woodbridge “Drop-A-Ton” challenge is designed to encourage and assist participants lose weight and engage a healthier lifestyle. The Woodbridge “Drop-A-Ton” challenge is on Facebook: (HERE) where participants in the weight loss program can sign-up, pledge weight loss goals and track progress.

Raritan Bay Medical Center provides participants with weight loss tips, healthy menu and diet recipes, fitness and exercise tips. An easy-to-use, confidential weight loss tracking program will calculate Body Mass Index so weight loss participants can target their ideal weight and goals. Weight loss totals will be based on the honor system.

Challenge participants who lose more weight than Mayor McCormac will win a three-month free membership to the Woodbridge YMCA and a “Total Makeover” from Vito Mazza Salon & Spa. The NJ Devils will provide game-day tickets to “Drop-A-Ton” participants for the Nov. 23 game against the Blue Jackets.

In addition to the weight loss challenge, “Woodbridge Drop-A-Ton” will help in the fight against hunger in our community. For every pound pledged, Woodbridge “Drop-A-Ton” will donate $1 to “We Feed Woodbridge” in support of local food pantries. The objective of the Woodbridge “Drop-A-Ton” weight loss challenge is to help Woodbridge residents lose a ton - 2,000 pounds - and to engage a healthier lifestyle, and to donate $2,000 to our food pantries. The challenge ends on Oct. 31, 2011. Sign-up today… Take the Pledge… and work toward a healthier lifestyle… and meet the NJ Devils as part of your work-out program.

The Quote of the Day

Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army.  

~Edward Everett

Get Some Work Done

One of the differences between my blog and a newspaper is ME. I'm not a reporter kind of person.  I don't dig deep to get all the details.  I observe, and I like to show you what I've observed, but I'm not going to be the person who makes a million phone calls to figure out what is going on behind the scenes, unless I'm realllly curious about something. 

I took a nice walk the other day, and saw these machines digging up the lawn behind School 26.  I decided to take a few pictures, because I always like to see work being done; and I wanted to show them to you, because I thought you might be interested too.

It seems like some work needed to be done on the storm drain pipes behind the school.  And the work got done, and now they are finished, and they've seeded the field, and grass should be growing back there again soon. I like to see work getting done, even if I didn't know it needed to get done.

That's the thing about infrastructure.  It's a big word, and it's important, and it's probably expensive.

Infrastructure is defined on Wikipedia as

"basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise,[1] or the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function.[2] The term typically refers to the technical structures that support a society, such as roads, water supply, sewers, electrical grids, telecommunications, and so forth, and can be defined as "the physical components of interrelated systems providing commodities and services essential to enable, sustain, or enhance societal living conditions."[3]

So I like to see some work being done.  And I'm hoping all of our politicians and the staff that they hire are keeping up with all of the infrastructure needs of our community.  Because that's what we elect them for, right?

The Quote of the Day

The Quote of the Day

glitter-graphics.com 

Watch for the Woodbridge Bike Tour today!

Review of Pearl Jam 20 - the Movie Available on Comcast ON DEMAND NOW!

Pearl Jam is celebrating their 20th anniversary making music, and so they've come out with a movie documenting the band's history. A Cameron Crowe film, It's an enormous collection of 119 minutes of new (and old) footage and images and music. It came out in a few theaters across the country last week, and it is enjoying a very limited run in theaters. I suppose most people will ignore it, and die-hard Pearl Jam fans will buy the DVD. Plus it will be on PBS in October. But for those of you with Comcast Cable like me, you can get it for $6.99 RIGHT NOW through OnDemand!!! And, well, yeah, I'm buying the DVD too... are you surprised? Not if you know me!

Watch the full episode. See more American Masters.

(If you can't see the video preview above, click HERE!) 

It's hard for me to give a review of this movie as though I was a disinterested critic, since I'm a big fan. I read one review that said that it would have been better if Cameron Crowe played a journalist instead of a fanboy, or something like that. BUT... I am a big fan. So I loved it. I believe that if you are interested in music in general, you should enjoy learning about the history of this legendary Rock band. If you hate Pearl Jam, I'm sure it will leave you cold.

AS a big fan, I loved the opportunity to learn more about the band in general; even things I knew already were put more in context. And because so much of the old footage is candid, you have a chance to learn a lot more about the band members. I found myself laughing a lot more than I expected to. And I know I'm going to need to watch it a few times to really see all of the dimensions of the film.

So, it's a gray weekend; not exactly raining right this minute, but definitely a good day to sit inside. If you're even vaguely interested in Pearl Jam, you might as well invest the $6.99 and 2 hours and enjoy the afternoon!

Flea Market at St. Cecelia's STILL ON! Inside Lourdes Hall until 2:00

The St. Vincent de Paul Society is holding their annual flea market today until 2:00 PM.  You should go and see some of the bargains that they have for sale! I got some nice jewelry and some new dishtowels.  There are crafts and toys and lots of things for all!

The flea market is being held inside because of the threat of rain - it is in the Lourdes Hall of St. Cecelia's Church in Iselin.  It is the main fundraiser for the charitable organization.  


Gotta love shopping!

The Quote of the Day

Ain't it like most people, I'm no diff'rent, 
we love to talk on things we don't know about...

-- Lyrics from "Ten Thousand Words" by the Avett Brothers

The Avett Brothers at  PNC last night

MADE IN THE USA

Why did I not think of this sooner?

I've been reading economics articles and books and researching a lot of $$$ kinds of things lately, mainly to try and educate myself.  And one of the things that really worries me is the amount of products that are manufactured outside of the USA; because we need American jobs, and sure, the things made overseas are cheaper, but what is it costing our country, indirectly?





And, in the meantime, I've been trying to start my Christmas Shopping.  And I've been finding some good sales, and buying things a little at a time.  (So that's why I'm saying - I wish I thought of this sooner!)

Well, for the gifts I have left to buy, at least, I've decided... I'm buying AMERICAN MADE ONLY.  And I just realized that I don't have to go to a store and look at every single label.  I can go online, and find out what manufacturers are making things here, and buy from them!


So I googled it, and came up with this website:  StillMadeInUSA.com. And they have ALL KINDS of things that are made in the USA.   And I can save money by shopping on line, right?  And I still have time to support the USPS by having them deliver it regular mail, where that is an option.

Sure, it might cost more.  But hey, less is more, I hear.  Plus, it's more important to help the USA than it is to buy more cheap sh*t for people... 'cause really, no one I know really even needs much of anything.

So that's what I'm gonna do for my Christmas Shopping from here on in, and I hope other people do too!




glitter-graphics.com

VOLUNTEER FIREMEN NEEDED!

The Iselin District #11 Fire Department is currently looking for motivated volunteers.   I found this information on the Fire Department's website, which you can see HERE.



Facts about our Fire Department: 
100% Volunteer
Answer over 600 alarms each year
Two fire stations, Auth Avenue & New Dover Road
Fire protection for a large portion of Iselin & Colonia
35 Active volunteer firefighters who are your neighbors & friends
Countless hours of training
State of Art fire apparatus, motor vehicle extrication & rescue equipment

Why Volunteer? 
You will gain practical firefighting experience and knowledge
You will make lifelong friends and enjoy various social events
You may take advantage of several benefits (below) made available to members

BENEFITS 
Additional Training Courses
The fire department makes available any training course given by the Middlesex County Fire Academy to active volunteers. These courses cover a broad range of topics including additional firefighting applications, HazMat and rescue courses and EMT certification and are paid for by the department.

LOSAP 
LOSAP or Length of Service Award Program provides a "retirement" benefit based on volunteer activity in the department and total length of service. Members become eligible for LOSAP benefits after the completion of 5 years of active service.

Tuition Reimbursement 
The Woodbridge Township Council has approved participation in a State of New Jersey plan whereby active volunteers may be eligible for partial tuition reimbursement from approved colleges provided they meet certain requirements. This program is funded by the Township of Woodbridge.

Workmen's Compensation Plan 
As a member of fire department, you will be covered by Workmen's Compensation for any injuries sustained while performing firefighting duties.

Life Insurance 
Life insurance is provided at no cost to members of the department.

Community Center Membership Discount 
The YMCA at the Woodbridge Community Center offers members a 50% discount on membership.

**Please keep in mind that being a Volunteer 

requires motivation and sacrifice. 

We take our business seriously and expect others to as well** 

REQUIREMENTS TO VOLUNTEER 
Between the ages of 18 and 45
U.S. citizen and resident of Iselin area (Iselin and Colonia)
Complete background check
Valid NJ Drivers License
Pass a physical examination (paid by fire department)
Complete Firefighter 1 training (paid by fire department)
Respond to a certain minimum number of calls per year

VOLUNTEER!! To apply for membership, stop by the firehouse at 20 Auth Ave., call 732-283-1208 or complete the Recruitment Inquiry Form. After your completed form is received, someone from the membership committee will contact you.

Time for a Change

You might as well celebrate it, because you can't stop it!

The Quote of the Day

“To be interested in the changing seasons 

is a happier state of mind 

than to be hopelessly in love with spring.” 

-- George Santayana(Spanish born American Philosopher, Poet and Humanist who made important contributions to aesthetics, speculative philosophy and literary criticism. 1863-1952)from ThinkExist.com

The Weekend Weather?... Yuck.

This isn't really the weather report I was hoping for, but according to the website "Severe NJ Weather", 

"...the entire State of New Jersey should see between 2 and 3 inches of rain between now and Tuesday.  Local amounts of 3+ are definitely possible, especially towards the coastal areas of NJ. The ground is very saturated from recent rain so please be aware of possible flooding."

I hope he's wrong...

More about the Senior Housing Renovation

I got this email from the township's Office of Communications, after today's press conference.  

I like the idea of this project, because I like anything that helps people get back to work around here.  Plus, the senior housing needs to be upgraded periodically, just like any other building, right? Keep it fixed up or it's going to fall apart! 

They made the announcement from Iselin, because that's where they are starting; and the first renovated apartments should be ready in December. 

Woodbridge Township Mayor John E. McCormac outlines the public/private partnership to renovate and upgrade Senior Housing Authority units at Cooper Towers in Iselin . The long-term $2.25 million reconstruction project provides new, up-dated and modern housing to Woodbridge senior residents.  Joining Mayor McCormac for the announcement: Jean Asouline, President, Cooper Towers Tenant Association, the Woodbridge Housing Authority and Redevelopment Agency and representatives of local trade unions.

Woodbridge Township and Construction-Trade Unions Announce $2.25 Million Public/Private Partnership Program to Renovate Senior Housing Apartment Buildings

 

Long-Term Project Utilizes In-Place Funding… Offers Cost Savings for Construction and Renovation of Housing and Apartments… Provides Quality Jobs for Township Trades Workers… Provides Modern Housing for Woodbridge Senior Residents 

Woodbridge, NJ - Mayor John E. McCormac, representatives of Woodbridge-area construction and trade unions, the Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency, and the Woodbridge Housing Authority , today announced a joint public/private partnership to renovate and upgrade Senior Housing Authority units at Cooper Towers in Iselin . 

 

The long-term reconstruction and renovation project, designed to upgrade 415 senior housing units maintained by the Woodbridge Housing Authority at Stern, Olsen, Finn, Adams and Greiner Tower complexes, decreases administrative costs (thus allowing more dollars to be invested in actual construction), offers employment opportunities to professional tradespersons from Woodbridge-area construction and trade organizations, and provides new, up-dated and modern housing for Woodbridge senior residents.  The $2.25 million project utilizes monies currently on-deposit with the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

 

Joining Mayor McCormac to announce the project were members of the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters (U.B.J.C.A.), the United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local #9 (Trades Union), Caroline Ehrlich, Executive Director of the Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency (RDA), Donna Brightman , Executive Director, Woodbridge Housing Authority , Dennis Henry, Director, Woodbridge Township Department of Public Works, and senior residents from Cooper Towers.

 

“This unique public/private partnership represents good government by utilizing available Affordable Housing monies received from developers - not taxpayer dollars – to renovate and update 415 senior housing apartments and provides employment in a down economy to Woodbridge-area craftsmen, plumbers, electricians, masons, and tradesmen,” said Mayor McCormac.  “While these are challenging times for many local municipalities, Woodbridge continues to work out-of-the-box to implement creative projects that achieve our mandate of maximizing taxpayer resources, assuring the availability of modern housing to senior residents, and providing employment opportunities to Township workers.”

 

The Woodbridge Township Redevelopment Agency will serve as the project general contractor, directing the work, coordinating labor, purchasing materials, and insuring the permitting, inspection and quality of the project.  The Woodbridge Housing Authority will make vacant units available – five units at a time – for rehabilitation and renovation.  The Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters (U.B.J.C.A.) and the United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local #9 (Trades Union) will provide the necessary labor to staff the project, providing laborers where possible who are Township residents.  The renovation of each apartment will include new kitchen (flooring, cabinets, appliances), bathroom (flooring, fixtures, cabinets), and the renovation of the living and bedroom areas (flooring, windows, doors, painting). 

 

It's the END OF SUMMER :(

Yup!  Hard to believe, but Summer is Over!  Today's the last day, so enjoy it while you can.  It officially changes to Autumn tonight at 11:09 PM.  And sure enough, if you take a walk down the park, most of the leaves are green, but a few....










This is what the Huffington Post had to say, HERE:

Today, Sept. 22, 2010, is the first day of fall for North America and that means the autumn equinox is fast approaching.
The autumnal equinox, signifying the sun being in line with the equator, officially takes place at 11:09 p.m. Eastern Time tonight (3:09 a.m. UTC on Sept. 23, 2010). That means the first day of fall is officially celebrated on Sept. 23 this year in Europe and Asia.

A Video from Hoppermusic

Iaian Matthews and Eric Anderson played at the Woodbridge "Music on Main" music show last night. This video from Hoppermusic shows a very soulful performance; I'm really sorry I missed it, but I hope to get to one of the next shows, in October.

The next show will be October 4th, and it will be Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary fame. For more information, go directly to the website, HERE.

 

Finances in New Jersey

I love to read the email I get from Jaffe Communications every day, called "The Morning Briefing."  I get a lot of interesting information about what's going on around New Jersey, and I love the way they write.... a bit about politics, a bit about current events, a bit about finance.   I got this little tidbit from them this morning.  For more information on Jaffe Communications, go to their website at www.jaffecom.com

STATEWIDE - We keep being told the recession officially ended in mid-2009, yet the latest Census figures show New Jerseyans had less cash in 2010. The average median household income in New Jersey was $67,681. That's down 2.7 percent from the year before and 2.9 percent less than the inflation-adjusted total of $69,674 in 2006. Income dropped in 13 of the state's 21 counties compared with 2009, with Morris and Camden taking the biggest hit. Perhaps, just maybe, the recession is still lingering? 

-- "The Morning Briefing - September 22, 2011" - Jaffe Communications

Cooper Towers in Iselin to be Renovated

This afternoon, Mayor John E. McCormac, representatives of Woodbridge-area construction and trade unions, the Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency, and the Woodbridge Housing Authority, will get together at the Cooper Towers Senior Residence on Oak Tree Road in Iselin to announce a $2 Million Public/Private Partnership Program to renovate the senior housing apartment buildings.

The long-term reconstruction and renovation project, designed to upgrade 415 senior housing units maintained by the Woodbridge Housing Authority , decreases administrative costs (thus allowing more dollars to be invested in actual construction), guarantees employment of professional tradespersons from Woodbridge-area construction and trade unions, and provides new, up-dated housing for Woodbridge senior residents. The $2.25 million project utilizes monies currently on-deposit with the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

I personally like anything that gives people jobs and at the same time maintains property... you never know, I might end up living in the Cooper Towers when I'm old!

The Quote of the Day

Facts do not cease to exist 

because they are ignored.

 

• Aldous Huxley, Proper Studies (1927) - from wikiquote.org/wiki/Aldous_Huxley

Kenny and Billy on News 12 New Jersey!

Kenny and Billy's Service Center was on Kane in Your Corner! See the show HERE. Kane interviewed Kenny Wenzel about how to tell if a used car you are considering has been in a flood or not. Cool! And good information! So - go watch it!

Chick-Fil-A Fundraiser Tomorrow!Thursday, Sept. 22, from 5 - 8 PM

Print out this page and bring it with you so they get credit!

 

 

Thursday, September 22

5:00pm - 8:00pm 

Location -- Chick-fil-A in the Woodbridge Center Mall 

Come out and eat with your family and support Boy Scout Troop 31 tomorrow! The boys will also be selling calendars for $6.00; in it you get coupons to use at chick fil a all year long. Please just print out the flyer and bring it with you so the scouts will get credit. Thanks for supporting the Boy Scouts!

Are YOU the next American Idol???

I just saw this in my email ... it's a little late now, but hey, maybe if I run out there this minute I can still get an arm band and audition!  :)  How about you?

AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 11 AUDITIONS
Thursday, September 22
IZOD Center

American Idol is back! American Idol has held auditions at the IZOD Center three times and has always turned up bright stars, including Season 10’s Pia Toscano. This year it could be you! Registration: Sept. 20 - Sept. 21 Auditions: Thurs. Sept. 22 Auditioners can pick up a wristband NOW through approximately 8:00 AM on Thursday, September 22. Auditioners will not be permitted to camp out. Once auditioners obtain their wristbands, they will be asked to return to IZOD Center by 5:00 AM on Thursday, September 22 for auditions.

There is no paid ticket for this event. Contestants must first come onsite to register in order to audition on September 22. For more information on the audition process including official rules, FAQ's, and release form, please CLICK HERE.

Auditions will be held at IZOD Center.

Registration will occur September 20 and 21. Auditions will occur September 22.

Wristbands will be distributed from approximately 7:00 AM on Tuesday, September 20, until approximately 8:00 AM on Thursday, September 22. Auditioners will not be permitted to camp out. Once auditioners obtain their wristbands, they will be asked to return to IZOD Center by 5:00 AM on Thursday, September 22.

Front of Line Information: ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE “FRONT OF THE LINE BANNER"

Check in for Affiliate winners is BY 7:00AM at the registration desk on Audition day. You must have your letter AND I.D. WITH you. If you cannot locate the AI Registration Desk, check with American Idol Security or an American Idol Staff member (in the AI t-shirts) for the exact location if you cannot find it.

 GOOD LUCK, and let me know if you get an audition! 

The Quote of the Day

That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history 

is the most important of all the lessons that history has to teach.

• Aldous Huxley, "Case of Voluntary Ignorance" in Collected Essays (1959) - found on Wikiquote

Did you know about The Woodbridge Bike Tour?

The good thing about our township is that there is always something going on.  The bad thing is that there is SO MUCH going on, it's hard to keep track!


Did you know that one of the things you can do this weekend is participate in the 4th Annual "Tour De Woodbridge" Bike Tour?  It will take place on Sunday, September 25th, and will go through all 10 towns, for a grand total of either 29.4 or 15 miles.  (I haven't seen the map, but that's what the brochure says.)  You can look at the brochure, HERE.  If you are going to participate, you should download the brochure so you can fill out the registration information and send it in.

Here's some details:

The Tour will be held on Sunday, September 25th.
It's a TOUR, not a race!

6am Registration Opens....7am Bike Tour Starts

The tour starts and finishes at The Club at Woodbridge, 585 Main St, Woodbridge N.J. 07095

-- The Tour will take place rain or shine
-- Fee: $30.00/person, Day of Tour; Checks made out to:
Mayor’s Council On Physical Fitness & Sports (MCPF&S)
-- Ages 12 and over/Helmets are Mandatory!
-- T-Shirts were guaranteed to pre-registered cyclists prior to September 15th, so if you haven't registered by now, it's too late for that, but that's OK; you are still welcome.

For information / In person registration: Tour Director Jeff Marmelstein JEFFMCLUB@aol.com

The course will include 3 Rest Stops with

Water • Bagels • Fruit • Snacks

at Warren Park/Hopelawn....Alvin Williams Park/Sewaren....Merrill Park/Colonia

*Please note that due to road closures for the tour you must reach each rest stop no later than the designated time or a Police Sag [Support and Gear] Vehicle will transport you and your bike to the finish.
Breakfast at completion of race Sponsored by Wegman’s

Course Bike Maintenance Courtesy of:
Howie at Jerry & Stans Bicycle Shop, 442 Amboy Ave, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861 -- 732-442-4370

Iselin Library is Open for Business...

... and I got this from the library's FACEBOOK PAGE:

This month at the Iselin Branch Library we started a BOOK CLUB! Our club takes place once a month, on a Friday from 3:30 - 4:30pm. There is no registration for this program. Children between grades 3 - 7 are welcome to join the fun!

Each month Mrs. Amera will choose an author of the month. Then we might talk about the author, the author's books/ illustrations, the style the author wrote in, genre, etc. Together we might make cards for the author/illustrator, we might draw/write about one of our favorite books/series for our display, you might meet new people, and if your lucky you might check out one of our NEW books! Everyone gets a chance to share their opinion and share their favorite or not so favorite book/author/series/etc.

Our September author of the month is Jon Scieszka. If you're in the mood to laugh, read or re-read some of your favorite stories.

If you missed this month's program stop in next month between 3:30 - 4:30pm on Friday, October 7th!

The Quote of the Day

What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, 
it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment.  
And this is the moment you can choose to make everything new.  Right now. 

~Author Unknown

JFK FOOTBALL

If you want to see the JFK Football Game from September 16th, you can watch in on the Township's TelVue Player on line, which you can access HERE. Or tune to channel 35 tonight at 10 pm, or Saturday/Sunday at 10:30 pm.

The Quote of the Day

Today 
is the greatest day I've ever known, 
can't wait for tomorrow, 
I might not have that long. 

- Smashing Pumpkins, Today

The Avett Brothers are coming to PNC!

(Click HERE if you don't see the video on your email...)

Have you ever heard of the Avett Brothers??? I love them. They are hard to categorize, maybe alternative country/bluegrass, with rock and pop influences. This video shows one of their more mellow songs; they also have some songs that are almost punk rock, if you can have bluegrass mixed with just a dab of punk and a dab of rock. Does that make sense? Anyway, I love them, and I've travelled far and wide to see them; they've played in NYC and in Philly, and at a festival in South Jersey - but now I get to see them here at the PNC on September 23rd! I am ordering my tickets tonight, I think. I didn't get tickets yet, but it was a pretty safe bet that they would still be available, since very few people around here have heard of them. Let me know if you are coming!

Union County MusicFest 2011

Today is another great day for the Union County MusicFest. Today's line up includes the Smithereens and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. In case you missed yesterday's show, here are a few great videos I found on Hoppersmusic's Youtube channel; you can see a lot more on his Youtube channel HERE, or on his website, HERE!





(If you don't see the videos in your email, go HERE!)

How 'bout a little SHOPPING?

There are garage sales out there this morning, all over Iselin... go drive around and find some! I know of at least one, on Cherry Street off Benjamin. Gotta love SHOPPING!

The Quote of the Day

A candle throws its light into the darkness, 
in a nasty world so shines a good deed. 
Make sure the fortune that you seek 
is the fortune that you need. 

- Ben Harper, Diamonds On The Inside

Nicole Atkins at the MusicFest Today!

(If you can't see the video in your email, go HERE!)

According to the schedule, Nicole Atkins will be appearing at the Musicfest in Clark at 2:00... you still have time to get there, if you leave now! Nicole Atkins is really good, I hope you get a chance to see her...

The Quote of the Day

Here's to the few who forgive what you do, 
and the fewer who don't even care. 

- Leonard Cohen, Night Comes On

The Quote of the Day

I know I was born 
and I know that I'll die, 
the in-between is mine. 


- Pearl Jam, I Am Mine

Union County MusicFest starts tomorrow!

EXCITING!
It's our own local music festival!
MusicFest ’11 -Oak Ridge Park, Clark, NJ ** FREE ADMISSION **
For the whole schedule, you can go to the Website HERE,
or just scroll down!

Here is a video from last year's Musicfest:


(If you are getting this post in an email, you'll need to come right to the Iselin Times to see it)

Friday, September 16
4:00pm - 4:30pm - The Skins
4:45pm - 5:15pm - Satellite Hearts
5:30pm - 6:00pm - Dirty Bird
6:15pm - 6:45pm - Chelsea Kills
7:00pm - 8:15pm - Live's Ed Kowalczyk
8:30pm - 10:00pm - Collective Soul
*** special appearance on the "Friends Of MusicFest" stage with the "Running Late" between main stage sets

Saturday, September 17
12:00pm - 1:00pm - Mike Peters of The Alarm with The School Of Rock Allstars
1:00pm - 1:30pm - Cy Curnin of The Fixx and friends
2:00pm - 3:00pm - Nicole Atkins
3:30pm - 4:45pm - Toad The Wet Sprocket
5:15pm - 6:45pm - Paul Rodgers
7:00pm - 8:15pm - Neon Trees
8:45pm - 10:00pm - Blondie
*** special appearance on the "Friends Of MusicFest" stage with Mike Peters, Cy Curnin and others between main stage sets

Sunday, September 18
12:00pm - 1:00pm - Ema
1:30pm - 3:00pm - Bruce Springsteen tribute with the School Of Rock Allstars
3:45pm - 5:15pm - The Smithereens
6:00pm - 7:30pm - Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes
*** special appearance on the "Friends Of MusicFest" stage with the Bobby Bandiera Band

The Quote of the Day

You would think with all the genius and the brilliance of these times, 

we might find a higher purpose and a better use of mind. 

- Jackson Browne, Say It Isn't True

The Quote of the Day

Time can bring you down, 
time can bend your knees. 

- Eric Clapton, Tears In Heaven

A Message from the Superintendent of Schools

(If you can't see the video, click HERE.)

Back to School Open House

Every year, each of the schools schedules an Open House.  All parents are urged to attend.

9/13 - School 26 Open House, at 7:00 PM
9/14 - JFK High School Parent Faculty Forum, 6:30;Open House, 7:00
9/20 - Iselin Middle School Open House, 6:30 PM
9/22 - School 18 Open House, 6:30 PM
9/22 - School 24 Open House, 7:00 PM

You may have gotten information sent home with your kids about this.  If you didn't see anything, you can also check on line.

14th Annual Softball Game for Habitat for Humanity Tomorrow!

Senatore Vitale, the Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce, and Deminski and Doyle from NJ 101.5 will be playing Softball tomorrow... come out and watch! All proceeds from the game will go to benefit Habitat for Humanity.


The game will be tomorrow, Wednesday, September 14, from 7:30pm - 10:30pm -- (rain date is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 21.) at Warren Park – Field 1, Florida Grove Road, Woodbridge, NJ. Tickets are $5.

For more information call, 732-636-4040.

The Quote of the Day

You better start swimming or sink like a stone, cause the times they are a-changing. 

- Bob Dylan, The Times They Are A-Changin'

The Coffee Party

So, even though my drink of choice is tea, my politics are 100% Coffee Party.
This is a video about the Coffee Party movement. What do you think?


(Come right to my web page, by clicking HERE, to see the video!)

From the Coffee Party Youtube page:

The Coffee Party is a democracy movement that began on Facebook, powered by volunteers and small donations from every-day Americans; not by oil barons, corporate lobbyists, or partisan think tanks. Thus, we are able to advocate for the interests of the American people without having our objectives, and the notions on which they are based, governed by powerful interests that already have too much influence in Washington.

We are a non-partisan, fact-based, solutions-oriented network determined to have an impact in our nation's deliberative process. If we abandon our civic duty to multi-national corporations and the ruling elite, the interests of our nation as a whole will be neglected. Recognizing that many Americans are searching for a way to participate in our political process without adhering to any partisan or ideological framework, our aim is to provide a gathering place and a method for those who might not otherwise have a voice in our democracy. These are the voices we value most.

In some ways, the American Revolution started with dumping tea into the Boston Harbor and declaring coffee the national drink: "Coffee was declared the national drink of the then colonized United States by the Continental Congress, in protest of the excessive tax on tea levied by the British crown."

The Coffee Party Website is HERE.