Floors For the Way You Live Transformation About To Happen
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

Floors For the Way You Live Transformation

About To Happen 

 

 

By Tammy Duffy

 

Photo courtesy of NAIMertz 

 

 

Congoleum products have been an integral part of the American home for decades. Their motto, "Floors For The Way You Live," is one of the most recognized motto’s in the industry. The introduction of vinyl products at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair proved a revolution for Congoleum.  A transformation is about to happen at the retired Congoleum plant, located at 861 Sloan Rd, in Hamilton, NJ.

Congoleum Corp., a manufacturer of vinyl sheet and tile products is among the nation's largest manufacturers of resilient vinyl flooring products, for both commercial and residential markets. Its corporate history includes such industry highlights as the introduction of the first no-wax floor and the first chemically embossed vinyl-sheet floor. Throughout a complex corporate history the Congoleum name has remained a constant.

 

Congoleum hit some troubled times between 1950-68.  They were forced by their competition to expand their line. In 1951, they acquired Delaware Floor Products, Inc., a Wilmington manufacturer of vinyl plastic tile and rolls as well as felt-base floor coverings and also a manufacturer of sheet-vinyl coverings for sinks and counter tops.

 

In 1953, they acquired Sloane-Blabon Corp., another floor-covering maker, for $10.3 million, and in 1955 the equipment and inventories of the fiber-rug division of Patchogue-Plymouth Corp., creating a subsidiary called Loomweve Corp. to manufacture tufted carpeting, woven fiber rugs, and automotive flooring in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

 

The acquisitions were moving Congoleum in the right direction.  The company shifted some of its linoleum production from sheets to squares in order to attract trade from do-it-yourselfers and brought out a linoleum tile with a special base and adhesive for use with concrete-slab construction. However, to meet intense competition from other tile makers the company had to reduce its price for asphalt tiles by 13 percent and for vinyl plastic tiles by 10 percent in 1955, even though this sector of its business was barely profitable.

Shifting emphasis away from linoleum, Congoleum moved its linoleum-making operations from the Kearny plant in 1957 to the former Sloane-Blabon factory in Trenton, New Jersey, retaining part of the Kearny facility to make asphalt and vinyl plastic tile. It installed at Marcus Hook what it called the largest rotogravure press in the world for a new plastic floor covering.

 

 

Based in Mercerville, New Jersey, outside Trenton, Congoleum embarked on a capital-spending program in 1989. One benefit of this program was that the Marcus Hook plant, which in 1987 led all Delaware river valley polluters by pumping more than a million pounds of ozone-destroying compounds into the air, completely eliminated this noxious discharge by switching from hazardous solvents to water in its inks. In 1991, Congoleum announced it would spend between $45 million and $50 million to improve several of its vinyl-flooring plants, with the bulk of the funds used to install new equipment, such as improved ovens and an improved printing system. The company was unable to borrow from banks for these improvements but in 1991 secured a $57.5-million asset-based working-capital line from CIT Group Inc.

Congoleum's net sales declined slightly to $263.1 million in 1995 in what the company attributed to a cyclical downturn in the homebuilding sector, accompanied by rising raw-material prices, and "a sluggish retail environment and higher interest rates." Net income fell to $9.4 million, with earnings negatively affected by a $1.5-million after-tax charge relating to a writeoff of accounts receivable from Color Tile, Inc. which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 1996. Congoleum's long-term debt was $90 million in June 1996.

Congoleum has had difficulties in the most recent years due to changes in consumer spending and asbestos litigation. The flooring plant located at 861 Sloan Avenue ceased operations in late 2014.   This particular facility was closed to consolidate operations to improve efficiencies in an increasingly competitive business environment.

 

It’s the end of an era for Congoleum at 861 Sloan Ave. However, this 65 acre property is up for sale again. A prior real estate deal did not finalize and a new, commercial real estate firm, NAI Mertz, is at the helm to sell the property. They are experts in this field. 

 

The Congoleum property is located within an industrial redevelopment zone,  at 861 Sloan Avenue.  It is a one million square-foot, inter-connected industrial complex, situated on 65 acres. The property offers immediate access to I-295, and is within close proximity of all major regional thoroughfares. It is adjacent to the NJ Transit station providing rail service to New York City, Philadelphia and Trenton.

 

NAI Mertz is a leading commercial and industrial real estate firm in the Greater Philadelphia area with complete real estate services, including commercial, land, industrial, retail, site selection, and investment. 

 

The companies reputation is built on their ability to deliver solid solutions for companies locally, nationally and globally. Whether the need is 3,000 or 3,000,000 square feet, they provide the same level of attention. They are fully engaged to find the right buyer and solution for the transformation of the Congoleum site. Research plays an integral part in near-term decision-making and long-range planning for industrial sites.  NAI Mertz understands the local activity, industry trends.  These are key attributes in understanding the best course of action in industrial investment plans. 

 

 

NAI Mertz is the South Jersey representative for NAI Global and the Industrial and Retail Member representative for Greater Philadelphia. NAI Global is the largest managed network of commercial real estate service providers, comprising 6,700 brokers in 375 offices serving over 55 countries throughout the world. NAI Mertz of PA is the NAI Global representative for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton, PA area and Northeastern Pennsylvania. 

 

A new era is about to begin…….thanks to NAI Mertz.

 

 

Zendaya A True Beauty
Topic: FASHION NEWS

Zendaya, A True Beauty

 

By Tammy Duffy 

 

Zendaya in Vivienne Westwood couture at the 2015 Oscars 

 

The Webster Dictionary's definition of racism is......

 A belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various humanracial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to dominate others or that a particular racial group is inferior to the others.

During an episode of Fashion Police, Guiliana Rancic said,” I feel like she smells like patchouli oil or maybe weed,” when she viewed a photograph taken of the beautiful Zendaya. So, if you read the Webster's definition of racism, do you consider what Rancic said racist?  Does Rancic's comment demonstrate that dreadlocks are a less superior way of style and human representation? 

 

Here are the facts. Zendaya is drop-dread gorgeous and downright gracious. She has handled this negative event that Rancic caused with a level of style and grace that Rancic can only ever dream of having the capability to demonstrate. Rancic can learn alot from the ever beautiful Zendaya.

 Zendaya stated back, saying, “There is a fine line between what is funny and disrespectful. Someone said something about my hair at the Oscars that left me in awe. Not because I was relishing in rave outfit reviews, but because I was hit with ignorant slurs and pure disrespect.”

 

On the red carpet Zendaya shared why she decided to wear the dreadlocks. She loves her father very much. He has them, as well as others that are close to Zendaya. She wanted to look like them.  An homage to them because she thinks they are cool and she loves them.

Zendaya is a GREAT kid. She has love all around her. If Rancic would have bothered to ask Zendaya or the journalists or photographers who were there, why she chose that look, Rancic would have known. Unfortunately, this is not what E News does. They only judge not journalize. They have become the equivalent to the grocery store newspapers that no one really buys but will take a peek at while they are at check out on occasion. Newspapers riddled with lies and lack of journalism. 

I found it equally offensive that right after she made her statement of "apology" to Zendaya, the E network thought it would be great to show Honeybooboo devouring friend chicken, in essence to make fun of another child again. The poor kid has some massive health issues right now that are quite sad. Kids are off limits.

 

One can only hope that Rancic has learned a lesson. We will see.  Kelly Osbourne's reaction was equally as interesting. She states she is best friends with Zendaya. However when Rancic made that statement initially, Osbourne's first reaction to the comment was to laugh. This is clearly seen on the tape that shows Rancic making the comment. She then appeared to become uncomfortable with the statement on camera after her laughter. But, her first reaction was to laugh. She then got on the "I am not a racist bandwagon" when Zendaya stood up for herself. If Zendaya never said anything, would Osbourne never would have said anything?  Osbourne's comments seem so disingenuous due to the fact she is shown on camera laughing at the comment made by Rancic. If someone said something like that about a friend of mine I would have said something to them right then and there to support my friend. That is a friend. Osbourne did not do that. Her comments came out after Zendaya stood up for herself.

 

 

Rancic can only hope that some day her kids want to emulate her like Zendaya did of her father and friends with her hair style. This is what Rancic should think about before she opens her mouth again.

Ron Arad: An Italian Romance
Topic: ART NEWS

Ron Arad: An Italian Romance

 

By Tammy Duffy

 

 

 

Paul Kasmin Gallery in NYC opened their solo exhibition of metal works by Ron Arad (b. 1951). The exhibition, entitled, In Reverse, opened on February 12, 2015, incorporates work completed by Arad in 2007, 2011 and 2013. The exhibition closes on March 14, 2015.

 

Arad was born in Tel Aviv.  He attended the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem and the Architectural Association in London. In 1989, with Caroline Thorman, he founded Arad Associates, an architecture and design firm, in London.

 

This exhibition, In Reverse, was first installed at the Design Museum Holon, an iconic building that Arad designed in Israel.  The exhibition is comprised of six “Pressed Flower” sculptures made from compressed Fiat 500’s in various colors; brown, blue, red, white and  yellow, a walking bookcase, and much more.

 

The Arad’s first family car in 1949 was a Fiat Topilino Giradineeta. This car was one generation before the cinquecento.  One day, during the early morning hours when Arad’s was only 7, one of his neighbors came to their door to tell them that their  father had been in an tragic accident.  The family rushed to the scene of the accident on their bicycles. They quickly saw that their family Fiat had been run over by a large garbage van.  They could not believe that anyone got out of the car alive. His father nearly died in that accident. Arad’s father is still alive, at the age of 96, and refuses to stop driving.

 

 

Thirty years ago, Arad was taking a flight to Rome and was contemplating purchasing his first Fiat.  During his time in Rome he questioned,” Why are there so many older Fiat’s in Rome, but no Fiat 600’s?”  During his travels as he was stopped at a traffic light he shouted out to a driver of a Fiat. “Are you selling your car?”  The driver surprisingly said, “Yes.”  Arad purchased the car for $500. By shear coincidence, the driver actually lived in Arad’s neighborhood in London.  At the moment of purchase of his first Fiat, Arad said,” Some day this car will be art.” The car is still parked in Arad’s driveway rusting away (next to his new Fiat) and collecting moss.  It is not part of the exhibition. However, his statement did come true, that Fiat’s would become art some day.   

 

Fiat owners are unique. I waited for two years to obtain my 2013 Cinquecento (aka, Vincenzo Botticelli) to get the right color. The designer and internationally known Lapo Elkann pushed Fiat to have his grandfather Gianni Agneli’s company bring back its iconic Cinquencento.  He was successful. We do crazy things with our Fiat’s, they are like members of the family.

 

 

As you enter the exhibition as a lover of Fiat’s your reaction is not what you think it would be. You initial thought is, how could he have compressed all these beautiful vintage Cinquecento’s? This is a sacrilegious act, one could possibly think.  However, what one experiences upon walking from car to car is a romantic interlude.  Your love for the Fiat is exemplified. You cannot help but stare at each vehicle and see its compression made imperfections. Imperfections that are perfect. The beautiful chrome bumpers on every vehicle survive the compression. How is that possible? The Fiat is superhuman.  These three dimension action paintings will mesmerize you. You imagine the life each Fiat had. Who drove them, where they went, what they saw, what loved one was carried in them and what trials and tribulations they experienced. One of the vehicles actually still has the keys in it. One can almost envision turning the keys to the on position. Where would it take you? See where it takes you.

 

So where did Arad get the Fiat’s for his exhibition? From a very nice family garage owned by the Proietti family. Anyone who owns a Fiat knows who the Proiettoi’s are. For those novices, they are THE godfather’s of vintage Fiat 500’s. They have babysat some Fiat’s in their garage for more than 30 years.  They are the international cartakers of vintage Fiat’s. The first conversations that Arad had with the Proietti’s were difficult. They could not understand why he wanted to destroy these vintage beauties. Arad convinced them he was not killing them but resurrecting them and making them immortal. Immortalization was the easy part. Getting the Fiats out of Italy proved to be quite the difficult task.

 

Arad compressed these vehicles as a therapeutic exercise from his childhood. Seeing  the family Fiat compressed by the garbage truck at such a young age was traumatic. Compressing these Fiat’s prove to be liberating. His love for his Father oozes from the vehicles. The first vehicle was compressed by an anthropomorphic monster. First they placed it between two steel compression plates and squeezed it to death. Then to finish it off, they removed it from the monster and placed tons of heavy rock on top of the Fiat and ran a construction vehicle over it numerous times. This process took two days. This was going to take too long, so he took the cars to Centraalstaal B.V. in the Netherlands to be placed in a professional compressor. This compression processes took just minutes per car to complete.

 

Go to this link below to see more photos from this exhibition

 https://www.facebook.com/Duffyculturalcourture/photos/pcb.417787695050473/417786861717223/?type=1&theater

 

The exhibitions romance does not end there. As you walk to the back of the gallery there is an architectural structure sitting on the floor. At first you are not sure what it is. The piece is entitled, Restless. It is a walking bookcase. This is insanely romantic. As we think of all the books on our shelves, those we have read, reread, lent and borrowed. We think about where our books have traveled, where they have led us to travel. The walking bookcase can represent so many things. It represents the restless movement of information. If someone does not have the information or knowledge, one can use the structure to help fulfill a need. Maybe even help cure a broken heart. This exhibition lifted my heart. 

 

Some of Arad's past work has been described by critics as "scary", considering its "macho concrete and cut metal; tense sheets of tempered steel and guillotine edges.” His biomorphic shapes are created from his medium of choice, steel.

 

In 2008, he designed the Bauhus Museum in Tel Aviv. In 2008–09, Arad paired with Kenzo to create his first perfume bottle. The bottle was on display in his exhibit No Discipline. He has also designed the Design Museum Holon together with Bruno Asa, which opened in Israel in 2010. Also, in 2010, Arad started his collaboration with New Eye London to design an eyewear collection.

Go to this link below to see a video that is in the exhibition 

 https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=417784878384088&set=vb.359697407526169&type=2&theater

The romantic aspects of this exhibition do not end within the walls of the gallery. I received the most wonderful surprise after I purchased the hard cover book, that coincides with the exhibition. As you read the book, you come across these beautifully arranged pressed flowers throughout the book.  They are the same color as the Fiat’s in the exhibition. They are strategically placed in the book. The flowers are placed in areas of the book that make mention of his father in some instances. This is just lovely, creative beyond belief and utterly romantic. 

AN UPSCALE NYC FASHION SHOWCASE WITH CELEBRITIES AND PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES FOR NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND
Topic: FASHION NEWS

AN UPSCALE NYC FASHION SHOWCASE WITH CELEBRITIES AND PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES FOR NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND

 

By Tammy Duffy 

 

 

 

 

 

The 9^thannual, ‘Where Music Meets Couture Fashion Show, brought together a host of celebrities and professional athletes for an altruistic cause. The festive occasion occurred on Friday, February 13^th at The Attic Rooftop Lounge, during the NBA All-Star Weekend, and illustrious New York Fashion Week.

 

Attendees enjoyed a fabulous VIP mix and mingle against the backdrop of complimentary cocktails, sponsored by Star Vodka, Beverage Company. Following the pre social mixer, guests enjoyed a variety of posh couture looks, sported by a prestigious list of renowned athletes and celebrities. The models for the evening included, featured celebrity model, Nicole Murphy, NY Giants, Walter Thurmond III, St. Louis Rams, Rodney Mcleod Jr., Oakland Raiders, DJ Hayden, Brooklyn Nets, Darius Morris, and French Professional Basketball Player, Alexandre Nicolai. The opulent affair also featured garments and accessories by Columbian Designer, Edwing D’Angelo, the Tyrell Collection, Schuyler, Nikini Swimwear, and the Andrew Harris Collection. 

 

The annual fashion soiree not only recognizes the success of the CEPR team, but also its notable list clients and partners, too. Additionally, the gala serves as the perfect platform to help bring relevance to the benefit of supporting charities and worthy causes. For this year’s showcase, CEPR donated a portion of the event’s proceeds to the Walter Thurmond Foundation for Arts and Education, which benefits the improvement of youth literacy within inner-city schools.

 

HAM Tapestry Program Features Master Weavers
Topic: ART NEWS

HAM Tapestry Program Features Master Weavers

The Hunterdon Art Museum is hosting a daylong celebration of tapestry on Sunday, March 22 beginning at 9 a.m.

The event, A Day of Contemporary Tapestry, includes lectures and demonstrations by master weavers Archie Brennan and Susan Martin Maffei. Guests will be treated to opening and closing receptions and can tour the Museum’s Contemporary International Tapestry exhibition, which features the works of 39 renowned artists – including Martin Maffei and Brennan -- and fills three galleries. There’s an optional lunch available from Metropolitan Seafood Co.

Tuition is $50 or $40 for Hunterdon Art Museum members.

For more information or to register, please call 908-735-8415 or visit www.hunterdonartmuseum.org.

Contemporary International Tapestry runs until May 10. The Museum, located at 7 Lower Center St. in Clinton, is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ABOUT THE HUNTERDON ART MUSEUM

Expanded Art After Hours Programming, “More in March” at the Zimmerli
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

Expanded Art After Hours Programming, “More in March” at the Zimmerli

 

New Brunswick, NJ – The Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers offers “More in March” with a dynamic schedule of programs and new exhibitions. In addition to the regular schedule of events during Art After Hours: First Tuesdays, the evening includes a special presentation of the talk “Vision Research: Interactions between Scientists and Artists.” For music lovers, the New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra salon series and Music at the Museum invite audiences to explore music in new ways. For younger artists, Passport to Art and Drawing Club offer opportunities to get creative. Activities take place at the Zimmerli, located at 71 Hamilton Street in New Brunswick, on the Rutgers University College Avenue campus. Admission to the museum and public programs is free. Registration fees vary for classes and workshops. For more details, visit www.zimmerlimuseum.rutgers.edu.

 

The Zimmerli stays open late on March 3 for Art After Hours: First Tuesdays. The evening kicks off with a curator-led tour, at 6 p.m., of George Segal in Black and White: Photographs by Donald Lokuta. Lokuta met Segal in 1984 at the sculptor’s studio, located on his family’s farm in South Brunswick, sparking an artistic alliance that would engage him for more than 16 years and result in nearly 15,000 negatives. This new exhibition provides rare glimpses of Segal in the studio, as well as with friends and family. The tour is immediately followed by the next selection in the Big Ten: Art series, spotlighting an intriguing work from the Zimmerli’s collection. At 6:30, Rutgers Professor and Busch Campus Dean Thomas Papathomas presents “Vision Research: Interactions between Scientists and Artists.” With a focus on Salvador Dali's painting Gala Contemplating the Mediterranean Sea Which at Twenty Meters Becomes the Portrait of Abraham Lincoln (Homage to Rothko), he discusses artists who use an intuitive grasp of visual perception fundamentals to open new horizons in research. Papathomas also highlights how visual scientists use their research-based knowledge of visual brain function to arrive at some understanding of the art experience and, occasionally, venture into making art. Slide Jam follows at 7:30 with artists Megan Suttles and Stephen Westfall discussing their new work. Suttles is the founder and curator of the artists’ collective Hot Wood Arts Center in Brooklyn. Her work explores the eternal struggle between restraint and disorder. Westfall is an Associate Professor in Painting and the Department Graduate Director at Mason Gross School of the Arts. He has exhibited for more than four decades; his paintings have revolved around relationships among colors and between color and composition. The Rutgers Chamber Jazz ensemble performs throughout the evening. Professor Kenny Davis directs these top students from Rutgers Mason Gross Jazz Studies program. Art After Hours takes place from 5 to 9 p.m., offering free admission and complimentary refreshments. To learn more, visit bit.ly/ArtAfterHourZTues. 

 

The New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra (newbrunswickchamberorchestra.org) continues its salon series on Saturday, March 7, at 7 p.m. Musical selections are interspersed with wine, cheese, and conversation, inviting guests to chat with the musicians about what inspires them and the process behind their art. An additional performance takes place on Friday, May 8, at 7 p.m. Admission is free for the salon series.

 

Registration is now open for upcoming sessions of the Zimmerli’s Spring Session of Drawing Club and Summer Art Camp. Drawing Club for Children and Young People meets after school (4:15-5:15 p.m.) for five Wednesdays. Sessions begin March 11 for 9 to 14-year-olds. The schedule for Summer Art Camp 2015 is posted, with classes for all levels and interests. Students can choose from a variety of basics (drawing, painting, sculpture) to such special topics as Adventures in Egyptian Art, Comic Book Creations, and Leap into Chinese Culture. Wes Sherman, a 13-year veteran at the museum, returns to lead a faculty of practicing artists and arts educators. He is a successful independent artist and holds an MFA from Mason Gross School of the Arts. Advance registration is required for all classes (fees vary). For complete details and to register, visit bit.ly/ZAMclasses.

 

Music at the Museum spotlights the talents of Mason Gross faculty members. On Sunday, March 15, at 2 p.m., "Piano Plus" features pianists Zoe Browder, Allison Brewster Franzetti, Karen Dalley, and Jing Yang, accompanied by soprano Pamela Stein and percussionist Peter Saleh. The ensemble performs works by Mozart, Crumb, and Salkind-Pearl. This family-friendlyweekend concert series is organized by the Mason Gross Extension Division and hosted by the Zimmerli. Admission is free, but seating is limited. For the complete schedule, visit bit.ly/ZAMMatM.

 

ZIMMERLI ART MUSEUM|RUTGERS

The Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum houses more than 60,000 works of art, ranging from ancient to contemporary art. The permanent collection features particularly rich holdings in 19th-century French art; Russian art from icons to the avant-garde; Soviet nonconformist art from the Dodge Collection; and American art with notable holdings of prints. In addition, small groups of antiquities, old master paintings, as well as art inspired by Japan and original illustrations for children’s books, provide representative examples of the museum’s research and teaching message at Rutgers. One of the largest and most distinguished university-based art museums in the nation, the Zimmerli is located on the New Brunswick campus of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Established in 1766, Rutgers is America’s eighth oldest institution of higher learning and a premier public research university.

 

VISITOR INFORMATION

Admission is free to the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers. The museum is located at 71 Hamilton Street (at George Street) on the College Avenue Campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick. The Zimmerli is a short walk from the NJ Transit train station in New Brunswick, midway between New York City and Philadelphia.

 

The Zimmerli Art Museum is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., and the first Tuesday of each month (except August), 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The museum is closed Mondays and major holidays, as well as the month of August.

 

Z Café featuring the Food Architects is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a variety of breakfast, lunch, and snack items. The café is closed major holidays, as well as the months of July and August.

 

For more information, visit the museum’s website www.zimmerlimuseum.rutgers.edu or call 848.932.7237.

 

Magical World of “CATS” Comes to MCCC’s Kelsey Theatre March 13 to 29
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

Magical World of “CATS” Comes to MCCC’s Kelsey Theatre March 13 to 29

 

 

Cats, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s magical musical homage to the feline world, comes to Mercer County Community College’s (MCCC’s) Kelsey Theatre in March.  Playful Theatre Productions will present nine performances over three weekends, including four matinees. Dates and show times for evening performances are: Fridays, March 13 and 27 at 8 p.m., and Saturdays, March 14, 21 and 28 at 8 p.m. Matinees will be presented on Sunday, March 15, Saturday, March 21, Sunday, March 22 and Sunday, March 29 at 2 p.m.  Kelsey Theatre is located on MCCC’s West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.  An opening night reception with the cast and crew follows the March 13 performance.  

Winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score, “Cats” ran on Broadway for 18 years, totaling 7,485 performances.  Playful Theatre Productions has gathered a talented, spirited cast of actors for this extraordinarily popular show, which is based on T.S. Eliot's collection of whimsical poems, Old Possum's Book Of Practical Cats (1939).  

The Kelsey stage will be transformed into a trash-strewn alley populated by the “Jellicle” tribe – the narrator Munkustrap, the wise leader Old Deuteronomy, the playful prankster Rum Tum Tugger, the shunned Grizabella, The Glamour Cat, the hefty Bustopher Jones, and many more.   Expressing themselves in imaginative dance and magnificent music, the cats will croon their way into fans’ hearts with unforgettable songs, most famously the blockbuster hit “Memory.”

The cast includes Kaitlyn Anthony of Bordentown as Victoria; Noah Barson of Richboro, Pa., as Macavity/Rumpus Cat; Kyle Blocker of New Brunswick as Rum Tum Tugger; John Boccanfuso of Yardville as Alonzo; Reise Bridgers of Hamilton as Victor; Tia Brown of Lawrenceville as Bombalurina; Emily Cobb of Ivyland, Pa., as Coricopat; Jaci D’Ulisse of Trenton as Electra; Devyn Fox of Yardley, Pa., as Rumpleteazer; Shannon Garahan of East Brunswick as Jellylorum; Wyatt Kim of Yardley, Pa., as Carbucketty; Jaimie McMillin of Bordentown as Grizabella; Michael O’Hara of Yardley, Pa., as Bill Bailey; Emily Christine O’Sullivan of Hamilton as Cassandra; Trina Mar of Croydon, Pa., as Admetus; Kate Skelly of Bordentown as Jemima; Nicholas Pecht of Hamilton as Bustopher Jones/Gus; James Petro of Hamilton as Munkustrap; Sasha Saco of Philadelphia, Pa., as Jennyanydots; Tom Sawyer of Yardley, Pa., as Tom Skimbleshanks; Colleen McMahon Skillman of West Windsor as Demeter; Matthew Snyder of Levittown, Pa., as Matthew Mungojerrie Roman Sohor as Parlin as Deuteronomy; Rachel Tovar of Trenton as Tantomile; and Michael Zweig of Philadelphia, Pa., as Mr. Mistoffelees.  Pit singers include Heather Corson, Vianna Fagel, Sally Page, Amanda Ramus, Michelle Rittmann, and Michelle Whitescarver.

The production staff includes Producer Suzanne Smith, Assistant Producer Hilary Leboff, Director/Choreographer Dani Tucci-Juraga, Music Director Laurie Gougher, Master Builder James Petro, Lighting Designer Robert Terrano, Associate Lighting Designer Star McCloud, Sound Designer Evan Paine, Assistant Lighting Designer Eric Collin, Light Board Operator Chris Neilsen, Wigs by Donna Reed, Makeup Designer Koren Zander, Costumers Kate Pinner and Michelle Rittmann, and Stage Managers Nancy Russell and Ruth Kresge.

Tickets for “Cats” are $20 for all. Free parking is available next to the theater. Tickets may be purchased online at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit the Kelsey website or call the box office for a brochure.

Fifth Shades of Grey a Review by Duffy
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

Fifty Shades of Grey

 

Review by Tammy Duffy

A film about dominance, dominated the market this weekend, Fifty Shades of Grey. Is the movie really about dominance, submissiveness or a true love story where two people find love at the highest of levels. Does this couple have what people long for, a relationship filled with love, trust and communication that works at all levels? You betcha! Hence, why they made almost $90 million in the opening weekend. American's long for the great American love story.  We are romantics at heart.

 

When the first book by E. L. James was released I had a friend loan it to me to read. When she gave it to me to read she said, "Oh my god, tell me what you think of the book, this poor girl went through hell." After I read the book I told my friend what I thought. I said, "Lucky girl." I did not view what she went through as hell.  I read the other two books in the trilogy. They were enjoyable, but I do question why the ending of the third book, E. L. James killed her ability to write the next book.  I will not ruin the ending for those who have not read it. It was not the ending I wanted.

 

Anastasia Steele found someone who she could really communicate with at all levels. They trusted each other. So many relationships and marriages end because there is no trust and no communication. I think all couple should go through courses before they get married that evaluate their ability to communicate and trust each other. This will lower the divorce rate.

 

During the filming of this movie Dakota, according to sources, never went into the red room until she had to be filmed. She wanted to be surprised at all levels. Consequently, during the filming Dornan spent a lot of time in the red room during filming to acquaint himself with the tools.

 

Charlie Hunnam was originally cast in the role of Christian Grey alongside Dakota Johnson in the role of Anastasia Steele. Hunnam gave up the part with Jamie Dornan taking over. It was a tough casting call after Charles Hunnam had to quit the film. Dornan clearly needs acting classes.

 

The soundtrack of the film is fantastic. At the opening of the film legendary artist, Annie Lennox belts out , “I put a spell on you”. My mind gets lost in her voice.  It was just fabulous.

 

 Dakota Johnson did a fantastic job capturing the essence of the character Anastasia as demonstrated in the books. Her shy innocence, yet her ability to dominate the film and the story is captured perfectly.  However, Jamie Dornan cannot act. He cannot kiss, He cannot perform S&M, he cannot he cannot he cannot....If I was going to let someone tie me up to a bed post there better be chemistry and he better know what he is doing. He had the mannerisms of Doogie Howser, MD. The change in casting at the last minute is palpitated in this film. This should be a lesson to director, Sam Taylor-Johnson. A director always needs to have a back-up plan. 

 

Dornan did not capture the essence of Christian Grey, Charlie Hunnam would have. Amelia Warner, Dornan's wife has nothing to worry about having her husband in this film. He was so awkwardly animated in the film that I found myself laughing at him. I felt bad for him. He was as awkward as a virgin scientist. However, Anastasia's chemistry portrayed towards Grey was spot on to the book. So, one may ask, why did E. L James chose to make Grey look so sexually awkward in this film? Why did she cast Dornan who has the persona of the weirdo Chris who is currently on the Bachelor series? There is no doubt this is because of the sudden changing in casting, their choices were limited. Dornan  should take acting lessons before they start filming the rest of the films.

 

I have reset my expectations for Grey's character in the film and definitely think the other two films will be enjoyable. According to sources, Melanie Griffith said she will not go and see the film, due to the nudity of her daughter. The film is not about the nudity in my opinion. I think Griffith should go see it for she would be very proud of what her daughter has done.

Cybersecurity Meeting In CA, Invitation Only
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

Cybersecurity Meeting In CA, Invitation Only

 By Tammy Duffy

Today, the White House hosted a cybersecurity event with Silicon Valley's top corporate leaders to discuss the growing cyberattack threats.

The summit was held at Stanford (Calif.) University, and officials from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service and the FBI will also be in attendance, asking the private sector companies to share information on how to combat future cyberattacks.

The list of confirmed speakers included Apple CEO Tim Cook, as well as CEOs of Bank of America, Bancorp, American Express, Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente, Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, Facebook, Google and Intel.

Notably missing from the panelists and speakers are representatives of Home Depot, J.P. Morgan Chase, Target, Sony and Anthem — five companies who suffered major, public data breaches over the past year. A senior administration official said the companies were not excluded from the panels. Why one might ask?  Additionally, officials from the National Security Agency and CIA were not on the list of panelists and speakers.

Privacy was the central theme at the panel, along with consumer protection and cybersecurity 

Cybersecurity Meeting In CA, Invitation Only
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

Cybersecurity Meeting In CA, Invitation Only

 By Tammy Duffy

Today, the White House is hosted a cybersecurity event with Silicon Valley's top corporate leaders to discuss the growing cyberattack threats.

The summit was held at Stanford (Calif.) University, and officials from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service and the FBI will also be in attendance, asking the private sector companies to share information on how to combat future cyberattacks.

The list of confirmed speakers included Apple CEO Tim Cook, as well as CEOs of Bank of America, Bancorp, American Express, Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente, Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, Facebook, Google and Intel.

Notably missing from the panelists and speakers are representatives of Home Depot, J.P. Morgan Chase, Target, Sony and Anthem — five companies who suffered major, public data breaches over the past year. A senior administration official said the companies were not excluded from the panels. Why one might ask?  Additionally, officials from the National Security Agency and CIA were not on the list of panelists and speakers.

Privacy was the central theme at the panel, along with consumer protection and cybersecurity