"From our ashes springs the phoenix of celestial hope . . . " (p. 136) The Book of Tea

Yes, flowers, woods, mountains, and snow melt greater than it has been for more than 50 years so the water falls in Yosemite are spectacular. My family lived near here one summer when I was about 10. My brother closest in age to me is coming to visit and we plan to drive through the town. They had a peach cannery and we would take a wagon and get free peaches (the rejects). People here are quite open ,friendly and white. I've been making inquiries about the whiteness and don't yet have a satisfactory understanding of the absence of diversity. Evenings are quite cool and days have gotten to 100 but of course its a dry heat so much more bearable. Jazzie has many new friends and listens for the woman next door to come home from work as they have a routine of playing ball in the yard before dinner. There's a school across the street that reminds me I am here to write, not simply play. I've been off caffeine for two weeks and developing new strategies to get me engaged. These include meditating twice a day, keeping a journal and working toward a set number of hours of writing each day with the willingness for it to be good or bad. Working on completing several incomplete projects: an article started about 8 yrs ago with Hopi and Navajo students who have since become teachers and we write about how they define teacher professionalism within a context of indigenous sovereignty. Working on the textbook with Guy Senese called The Teacher's Conscience. Working on an article about the neoconservative agenda nationally and how it is being fostered by Booker and Christy juxtaposed the agenda at Central High School with Ras Baraka. Part of it will also be woven into the textbook, as will the other article, as we know the importance of including inspirational stories about powerful educators! I was asked to make my dissertation into a book when I completed it all those many years ago and I resisted. I've been re-reading it and searching out the people who were involved in the research to explore the possibility of adding more longitudinal information and turning it into a book. So far I have located two of the people on Facebook and we are back in communication. I am confident I can find at least six more and may take a trip to the Navajo reservation this fall. Several projects at once will keep me writing and fortunately they all feed into a central focus about radical democracy. Hope life for you is fabulous!

General Membership Meeting

We will have a General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, November 29th at 7:00p.m. at Do Something, 35 James St. Hope to see you there! carolyne

A New Chapter

I want to begin this message by first thanking each and every person that came out Monday evening for the election. In my humble opinion it was a reflection of where we are going not only as an association but a neighborhood as well. To have had as many individuals wanting and willing to serve the neighborhood as was represented on that night is a clear indication to me that the efforts of those who began this crusade did not go in vain but has now come to fulfillment.

I would also be remiss if I did not thank directly those who served with me on the Board over the last three plus years. These individuals went above and beyond what was required of them to get us to where we are today. If it were not for their support and dedication I can honestly say that the milestones we have reached as an association would not have been obtainable during my time as president.

As for the new Board, I want to congratulate those who have been newly elected. We are at a critical stage in our development as an association and there is still much to be done. We must make every effort in the upcoming year to insure that every resident has the full opportunity of participation in taking our neighborhood to the next level. So I encourage not only those who ran but those who have the desire to play a role, whatever that maybe, to volunteer to either lead or join a committee or just lend a hand when you can because at the end of the day we can only be as great as those who are willing to do what is necessary to get us greatness.

We have less than two months remaining in the year and we ought to make sure that it ends on a strong note. So to that, it is my intention to meet with the new Board as soon as possible so that we can work towards getting a meeting with the neighborhood where we can discuss some clear and obtainable objectives for the upcoming year. In addition, we should look to continue our practice of community outreach around this time of year to those who are less fortunate then ourselves.

Thank you again for your vote of confidence and support and I look forward to proudly serving you and the needs of our neighborhood during my term in office.

Sincerely,

John Samon, President

Permit Parking Added

News has just been given that the City Council passed the ordinance allowing permit parking for residents of University Ave and the eastern end of James St.

Specifics as to what neighbors are required to do have not been given at this time but as soon as they are made available we will let neighbors know.

Newark Museum - Comic Costume Contest

Comic Costume Contest
Saturday, October 28, 10:00 am

Comics enthusiasts and kids of all ages are invited to display their artistic flair and passion for the genre by coming dressed as their favorite comics characters. The action starts at 10:00 am with the Parade of Costumes at 12:30 pm. Great prizes will be awarded in a number of categories for various age groups.

Grand Prize: 26" LCD Television from P.C. Richard & Son
Other prizes include a home computer system, Six Flags tickets and more!

Super Hero Batman and his Batmobile will be at the Museum from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. The Dark Knight, portrayed by real-life Newark Police Detective Genaro Ortiz Jr., has appeared at community events for more than 15 years on behalf of the Newark Police Department to promote safety and educate children about the dangers of drugs and weapons.

Read More

Where Do We Go From Here?

Over the last several months we have faced what seems to have been a barrage of issues, from Rutgers (parking decks), NJIT (can they be trusted?), and our safety (two shootings in the past three months). With all of that we have newspaper articles being written about us (not all good - see Trouble In The 'Hood) and questions being asked by every one, even some of our neighbors, what is up with those James St people? and why won't they just go a long with the program? Which leads me to writing this article on this early Friday morning.

You see unlike the President of the United States, I read the newspapers and I listen to what every one is saying. Having been the president of this association for the past three years I came to understand one thing and that is I can't do this job alone. It takes committed individuals who give not for themselves but for those they have come to know as their neighbors. Being part of a diverse neighborhood as ours you come to realize that not every one will see things the same and our prejudices come from our own individual experiences in life. There aren't many of us that can say that they lived here all of their lives but it is how we treat and respect one another today that will determine what our neighborhood will be tomorrow.

This evening I came across a part of history that we all share and why we are an association today. If you have some time take a moment and read through this document (Our History). You see I believe, as it has been often stated, you can't know where your going unless you understand where you came from. For me it is not about me or any other individual. It is much bigger then that and until we all understand that, then what ever is done will be done in vain.

When I started on this journey there were only a few committed to making others in this neighborhood believe that it was possible. What was possible you might ask? That this neighborhood could truly come together and be just that. Well I stood on their shoulders and saw that it was possible. And then together we helped others to give of themselves and their God given talents to bring us to where we are today. It is always said that change is never easy but we must put ourselves in a position to direct how that change will effect our lives. It can either be for the better or the worst. The choice belongs to each and every one of us who live here but as for me and my family we choose the better. How about you? Which one will you choose?

Let us finish this race together and prove to those who call us "C.A.V.E." (Citizens Against Virtually Everything) people that we are far more civilized then they will ever be. Not because we allowed other people's actions to dictate who we are and what we stand for but because we stood for what we believed to be right.

to be continued.........


Side Note: It is my intent to utilize all of the outlets available to me to keep every one informed of the actions and challenges facing the association. Please when you have time go to this site and read the history behind our difference in opinion with Rutgers.

Also look out for my next article "Small Victories" highlighting some of the accomplishments made over the past three years as an association.

And if you have an article to share just send it in so that we can post it on our blog.

The State of Newark's Neighborhoods

This is a reminder that all interested residents of the James Street Commons who want to attend the Town Hall Meeting at Rutgers University on August 22nd should RSVP now. You can do so by contacting Marcus Allen of NewarkNow at 973 733-3460 or by email info@newarknow.org. Space is limited so only those who register will gain admission.

How I See It

Newark Now is holding an engagement titled "How I See It" which will display photos that were taken by residents all over the city. We were given (5) invitations for the event, if anyone is interested please send me an email. The date of the event is Thursday, June 16th, 2005 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm. It will be held at the New Jersey Historical Society, 52 Park Place, Newark, NJ.