Hamilton Township Health Department Receives an Unsatisfactory Rating For Their Food Safety Inspection Program
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

For Their Food Safety Inspection Program

 

By Tammy Duffy, PhD 

 

Hamilton Township Food Inspection Data: Source Hamilton twp website

 

 

 

The township of Hamilton, Mercer County,  released food establishment inspection results on Friday. This is a new initiative where they state they are committed to maintaining the health safety of residents and visitors to Hamilton Township.  In order to promote Hamilton Township’s health safety the Division of Health conducts inspections of retail food establishments, public recreational swimming pools and spas, and youth camps located within Hamilton Township.  If the township is truly committed to public safety, they need to alter their approach, inspection process, inspection postings, inspectors professionalism immediately.

 

Let's first review some of the data which comes directly from the townships web site.  The data only goes back to July 2012 and only shows an overall result, no details. The actual reports are not on line. The residents will have no idea why an establishment failed.

 

The data starts at the same magical start point date July 2012.  This is the same date that one will find if you OPRA any data (which is digital in nature) from the township. Prior to this date townships officials destroyed all digital data on all computers in the township.  There is no historical data available. There was no certification of the destruction of the records which is required by law. The destruction of public documents is against the law and a prosecutable offense.

 

Overall results:

 

• In 2012, there were only 23 sites inspected
• In 2013, there were only 296 sites inspected
• In 2014, 500 sites were inspected
• In 2015, 672 sites were inspected
• In 2016, thus far 127 have been inspected
• In 2014, 184 inspections were done in first half of year, 316 in second half of year

 

The data is quite remarkable in that it demonstrates a hockey stick effect at the end of every year.  Does this mean that the risk to residents is higher in the first half of the year at any food establishment?  Why are the inspections not happening in a more stable timeframe? These results demonstrate a blatant disregard for public safety.

 

More questions to ponder.......

 

• Why were there only 23 sites inspected in the second half of the year in 2012? Clearly, there were more than 23 food establishments in Hamilton then.
• In 2014, there were 500 inspections, yet in 2013 only 296. Where there 204 new food establishments added in Hamilton in 2014? 
• In 2015, there were 672 inspections, yet in 2015 there were only 500. Where there 172 new food establishments in 2015 added in Hamilton? Of course not.

 

 

We took the opportunity to call 30 restaurants on the list from various years and what we learned is quite remarkable. The restaurants have varying results from satisfactory, unsatisfactory to conditionally satisfactory. The restaurant owners were candid about the process and how they feel about this new initiative. There were a few repeated frustrations at all levels.

 

• The inspectors that come are extremely unprofessional. They are rude to the establishments staff and owners.

 

• The inspection process was different at all 30 establishments. The way in which the inspectors performed the inspections was different at each establishment.

 

• The inspectors arrive with an "axe to grind" attitude and are failing establishments needlessly.

 

 

It is clear from the thirty restaurant owners we spoke to, that the process is significantly broken.  It is quite concerning that the inspections are done differently at each establishment. How can the township set an evaluation result which is "standardized" if the methodology utilized in the inspections is flawed?  This flawed approach will not produce results that are of any value to the residents or public safety.

 

The list that has been posted by the township is nothing more than a list. It does not demonstrate the entire report, so the entire story is not shared.  There methods appear to be extremely flawed. The hockey stick effect to the timing of the inspections does not meet the FDA required mandates.

 

We have seen this before with the constant touting of the crime reports being the lowest in the township since 1977. The residents want to see where the data is from 1977, clearly it data that far back does not exist anywhere else in the township. If the township shared all the data for the food inspections, residents would be able to make better informed decisions.

 

This new initiative appears to be more of a smear campaign towards small local businesses vs. educating the public. If the township clearly wants to be open about the process, share the entire health inspection reports, the certifications of all the inspectors and the calibration results of the tools utilized by the inspectors.

 

The FDA set standards for food inspections.  The ultimate goal to be achieved by a food establishment inspection is to prevent foodborne disease. Inspection is the primary tool a regulatory agency has for detecting procedures and practices which may be hazardous and taking actions to correct deficiencies. Food Code-based laws and ordinances provide inspectors scientifically based rules for food safety.

 

The regulatory agencies supply towns with guidance on planning, scheduling, conducting, and evaluating inspections. It also supports programs by providing recommendations for training and equipping the inspection staff, and attempts to enhance the effectiveness of inspections by stressing the importance of communication and information exchange during regulatory visits. Inspections aid the industry by:

 

(1) Serving as educational sessions on specific Code requirements as they apply to an establishment and its operation;

(2) Conveying new food safety information to establishment management and providing an opportunity for management to ask questions about general food safety matters; and

(3) Providing a written report to the establishment's permit holder or person in charge so that the responsible person can bring the establishment into conformance with the Code.

 

Inspectors must be properly equipped to perform the inspections in their assigned territory.  Basic staff training is very important to staff development and should be a well-defined and documented process. There is zero information supplied to the residents of Hamilton on how often the food inspectors are trained or if they have been trained.  There is no inspector certifications posted anywhere to ensure the public the inspectors are current on technology and inspection protocols.

 

Another important data point missing from the inspectors reports is proof of calibration of the devices in which they utilize during an inspection. If they are going to fail an establishment for their refrigerator temperatures being off by a few degrees, they better be able to prove that the device they used for their measurement, is not out of calibration. If they go on to say that an establishment must replace their entire refrigerator, the township inspectors better be able to prove their tools are calibrated. In the event their devices are not calibrated or they cannot prove they were, or the township has no certication on file of the inspector, the restaurant owner would have ever right to sue the township for financial hardships created by the inspectors.

 

Our advise to residents about this data is it is flawed. Before anyone gets upset that they just ate at a place that received anything but satisfactory result from a township health inspector, know that the township is failing at their approach to food inspections. The hockey stick effect, the unprofessional nature of the inspectors, the lack of certification data shared on the inspectors, the lack of certification data on the tools utilized by inspectors, etc are just a few of the flaws.  The list they posted is not a true representation of the entire story.

The township should take the time to review and optimize their own inspection team and process before handing out any more fines. Their current program gets a UNSATISFACTORY grade from the residents and jeopordizes public safety.

 

The responsibility for this belongs at the top of the leadership in Hamilton. It was also shared with us that during events in area restaurants the top leader in Hamilton demonstrates a behavior that is "treacherous towards her employees. When she does not get her way she behaves like a spoiled child." 

 

The cadence of behavior is set from the top in business and in towns. If the top leader behaves in a manner that is creating an environment of intimidation, this transcends to those who work in their environment.  This no doubt why these 30 restaurant we spoke to, are seeing the unprofessional, intimidating, rude behavior by the inspectors. They are walking to the cadence of the leadership in Hamilton. 

 

IDEA.....Maybe the township should put some of the body cameras they are buying for the police department, on the health inspectors. This will allow them to evaluate how they are doing their inspections and help optimize the issues with the process. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hamilton Township Health Department Receives an Unsatisfactory Rating For Their Food Safety Inspection Program
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

For Their Food Safety Inspection Program

 

By Tammy Duffy, PhD 

 

Hamilton Township Food Inspection Data: Source Hamilton twp website

 

 

 

The township of Hamilton, Mercer County,  released food establishment inspection results on Friday. This is a new initiative where they state they are committed to maintaining the health safety of residents and visitors to Hamilton Township.  In order to promote Hamilton Township’s health safety the Division of Health conducts inspections of retail food establishments, public recreational swimming pools and spas, and youth camps located within Hamilton Township.  If the township is truly committed to public safety, they need to alter their approach, inspection process, inspection postings, inspectors professionalism immediately.

 

Let's first review some of the data which comes directly from the townships web site.  The data only goes back to July 2012 and only shows an overall result, no details. The actual reports are not on line. The residents will have no idea why an establishment failed.

 

The data starts at the same magical start point date July 2012.  This is the same date that one will find if you OPRA any data (which is digital in nature) from the township. Prior to this date townships officials destroyed all digital data on all computers in the township.  There is no historical data available. There was no certification of the destruction of the records which is required by law. The destruction of public documents is against the law and a prosecutable offense.

 

Overall results:

 

• In 2012, there were only 23 sites inspected
• In 2013, there were only 296 sites inspected
• In 2014, 500 sites were inspected
• In 2015, 672 sites were inspected
• In 2016, thus far 127 have been inspected
• In 2014, 184 inspections were done in first half of year, 316 in second half of year

 

The data is quite remarkable in that it demonstrates a hockey stick effect at the end of every year.  Does this mean that the risk to residents is higher in the first half of the year at any food establishment?  Why are the inspections not happening in a more stable timeframe? These results demonstrate a blatant disregard for public safety.

 

More questions to ponder.......

 

• Why were there only 23 sites inspected in the second half of the year in 2012? Clearly, there were more than 23 food establishments in Hamilton then.
• In 2014, there were 500 inspections, yet in 2013 only 296. Where there 204 new food establishments added in Hamilton in 2014? 
• In 2015, there were 672 inspections, yet in 2015 there were only 500. Where there 172 new food establishments in 2015 added in Hamilton? Of course not.

 

 

We took the opportunity to call 30 restaurants on the list from various years and what we learned is quite remarkable. The restaurants have varying results from satisfactory, unsatisfactory to conditionally satisfactory. The restaurant owners were candid about the process and how they feel about this new initiative. There were a few repeated frustrations at all levels.

 

• The inspectors that come are extremely unprofessional. They are rude to the establishments staff and owners.

 

• The inspection process was different at all 30 establishments. The way in which the inspectors performed the inspections was different at each establishment.

 

• The inspectors arrive with an "axe to grind" attitude and are failing establishments needlessly.

 

 

It is clear from the thirty restaurant owners we spoke to, that the process is significantly broken.  It is quite concerning that the inspections are done differently at each establishment. How can the township set an evaluation result which is "standardized" if the methodology utilized in the inspections is flawed?  This flawed approach will not produce results that are of any value to the residents or public safety.

 

The list that has been posted by the township is nothing more than a list. It does not demonstrate the entire report, so the entire story is not shared.  There methods appear to be extremely flawed. The hockey stick effect to the timing of the inspections does not meet the FDA required mandates.

 

We have seen this before with the constant touting of the crime reports being the lowest in the township since 1977. The residents want to see where the data is from 1977, clearly it data that far back does not exist anywhere else in the township. If the township shared all the data for the food inspections, residents would be able to make better informed decisions.

 

This new initiative appears to be more of a smear campaign towards small local businesses vs. educating the public. If the township clearly wants to be open about the process, share the entire health inspection reports, the certifications of all the inspectors and the calibration results of the tools utilized by the inspectors.

 

The FDA set standards for food inspections.  The ultimate goal to be achieved by a food establishment inspection is to prevent foodborne disease. Inspection is the primary tool a regulatory agency has for detecting procedures and practices which may be hazardous and taking actions to correct deficiencies. Food Code-based laws and ordinances provide inspectors scientifically based rules for food safety.

 

The regulatory agencies supply towns with guidance on planning, scheduling, conducting, and evaluating inspections. It also supports programs by providing recommendations for training and equipping the inspection staff, and attempts to enhance the effectiveness of inspections by stressing the importance of communication and information exchange during regulatory visits. Inspections aid the industry by:

 

(1) Serving as educational sessions on specific Code requirements as they apply to an establishment and its operation;

(2) Conveying new food safety information to establishment management and providing an opportunity for management to ask questions about general food safety matters; and

(3) Providing a written report to the establishment's permit holder or person in charge so that the responsible person can bring the establishment into conformance with the Code.

 

Inspectors must be properly equipped to perform the inspections in their assigned territory.  Basic staff training is very important to staff development and should be a well-defined and documented process. There is zero information supplied to the residents of Hamilton on how often the food inspectors are trained or if they have been trained.  There is no inspector certifications posted anywhere to ensure the public the inspectors are current on technology and inspection protocols.

 

Another important data point missing from the inspectors reports is proof of calibration of the devices in which they utilize during an inspection. If they are going to fail an establishment for their refrigerator temperatures being off by a few degrees, they better be able to prove that the device they used for their measurement, is not out of calibration. If they go on to say that an establishment must replace their entire refrigerator, the township inspectors better be able to prove their tools are calibrated. In the event their devices are not calibrated or they cannot prove they were, or the township has no certication on file of the inspector, the restaurant owner would have ever right to sue the township for financial hardships created by the inspectors.

 

Our advise to residents about this data is it is flawed. Before anyone gets upset that they just ate at a place that received anything but satisfactory result from a township health inspector, know that the township is failing at their approach to food inspections. The hockey stick effect, the unprofessional nature of the inspectors, the lack of certification data shared on the inspectors, the lack of certification data on the tools utilized by inspectors, etc are just a few of the flaws.  The list they posted is not a true representation of the entire story.

The township should take the time to review and optmize their own inspection team and process before handing out any more fines. Their current program gets a UNSATISFACTORY grade from the residents and jeopordizes public safety.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MCCC’s AAWCC Chapter Celebrates Women’s History Month with Tribute to Harriet Tubman March 12
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

City of Lights
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

 

 

Baltimore's Inner Harbor will be aglow March 28-April 3 for the inaugural Light City Baltimore, a festival that combines light art installation, free concerts and entertainment, and a conference dedicated to the theme "Powering Social Change."

 

The starring attraction will be the nightly BGE Art Walk: 29 light installations situated on the Inner Harbor promenade and nearby streets, projected o area buildings and floating in the harbor waters.  As they make their way along the path, festival-goers will be entertained at outdoor stages by nationally known bands, performance groups and street theater.   There will even be a kid's version night with family friendly, "lighted" cotton candy.

 

The artwalk and entertainment will take placec from 7pm to 11pm Sunday through Thursday and 7pm to midnight on Friday and Saturday. FREE event! www.lightcity.org for more details 

 

Lantern Asia in Virginia
Topic: ART NEWS

 

 

During the day, guests will have the opportunity to see the detail and craftsmanship of these mystical works of art. By night, experience the art illuminated in enormous proportions. The highly detailed workmanship of these Chinese artisans will leave you breathless.

This exhibit, rich in history, dates back  to the Han Dynasty. It is the largest of its kind in the U.S. and will only happen at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 

The City of Norfolk is proud to host LanternAsia, the first ever Chinese Lantern Exhibition in Virginia and all of the eastern seaboard at our Norfolk Botanical Garden,” said Mayor Paul D. Fraim.  “This magnificent display of larger-than-life art will draw thousands of visitors to our City, celebrating culture and diversity.”

Norfolk’s selection as the location for this unique exhibit is a testament to the City’s ability to attract not only global companies, but talent and culture from all over the world,” said Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones.  “To keep the economy growing and be a great place for businesses, families and visitors, we need to continue to demonstrate Virginia’s ability to play on the world’s stage.”

Thunderbirds SHOW
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

 

Women Against Women in Business
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

 

A few weeks ago during a national meeting for a company, a new Vice President of an area was introduced. She is a woman. A woman who is attractive. As she began to share her background a female coworker, poked another in the back like a cattle dog. The woman ignored her poke. She poked again and asked, "We know you know her, what is the scoop with this woman?" What is she good at?  Does she care about women?"  The tone of the questioning annoyed the person who was poked as well as the question. They did not respond. The poker was not quiet about her question. Again, another poke and the same series of questions, yet at a higher decibel. The other person finally turned around and said, "Great lady, very competitive and wants to win."  

The conversations over the next few weeks from other women in the company demonstrated this same level of mistrust and negativity towards the new VP.  The person who was poked is a new employee at the company, it bothered them that the women acted in this manner. It is never a good thing when other women do not want to support or help other women. That is not a healthy culture. These women asked the question," Does she support women?", yet their very behavior is not of a positive sisterhood in business. Why should or would this new VP support them, when they have this attitude about her already and they do not even know her. 

No one really talks about it, but one of the main issues preventing women from getting along with other women is jealousy. In the professional world, it breaks down to one of two things: jealousy over how good you are at what you do or jealousy over how good you look doing what you do. 

These related but distinct problems each deserve their own explanation.  I’ll start with Green Monster #1: when you’re prettier than the average woman. Many of you reading this are probably already feeling an aversion to the topic—none of us likes to admit that other people are better looking than we are or, even worse, that we resent them for it. In fact, many of us don’t admit it, not even to ourselves. Instead, we channel the jealousy into resentment and let it lurk inside of us until the object of it does something that we can interpret maliciously—and then we hate them for that reason.  What I wish is that being hated for being attractive isn’t necessarily about what you look like. A lot of it is about what you do with what you look like. The most sought after person may not be the most beautiful one but rather the one who puts herself out there. Yes, I’m talking about flirting. So, while I would never suggest that an attractive woman should slum herself up so her co-workers, but one may have to for a client,  I would suggest that there are things that can be done to avoid being eaten by other women by Green Monster #1, especially since, while in my experience women might be jealous of any attractive woman, they only actively hate those who inappropriately use their sexual appeal to get ahead.

 

In thinking about writing this article, there are three main questions with which I struggled. The first is: why are women jealous in the first place? I don’t have the answer, though perhaps women are still socialized to think that their primary task in life is to get a mate, and the main thing that mates are looking for (so it may seem) is the most attractive woman around. Other women are therefore competition, even if logically a woman can recognize that she’s in a relationship or not actually interested in dating people at the office herself or that there’s actually not a cash prize for being the best looking person in the office. Still, perhaps it’s experienced as a subtle insult to not receive attention directed at someone else, and the hurt of not being singled out finds an outlet in jealousy at the person who is singled out.

 

Question two: what can we, as women, do to stop the vicious cycle of women hating women? Again, I don’t know. We can all do our part by recognizing feelings of jealousy when we have them and working through our own issues instead of taking them out on other people. Though, as I discuss below, sometimes we actually aren’t jealous of the pretty girl and are rightfully pissed that flirting and sex appeal are being harnessed as professional tools to advance. If you are silent about your social life and have short hair, you are automatically labeled as the office lesbian. 

 

Question three: what can one do now that she’s found herself the object of office jealousy (and jealousy’s BFFs, resentment and hatred)? Many of you will likely argue (with good reason) that it isn’t the persons responsibility to change anything—that the jealousy is about other people’s issues and not your fault. True, but . . . like many things in life, you can be in the right and still be professionally damaged from your moral high horse. Every person has to decide what price they’re willing to pay for any one of a million different behaviors, and using your physical assets in a professional context is no different. 

 

From what I’ve seen, more often than not if people at work dislike someone for no other reason than because that person is attractive, it’s not only because they are jealous of how pretty that person is. Why do I think that? Because there are plenty of very attractive women I’ve worked with or gone to school with who other women don’t hate. Is it that the ones who are hated are just that beautiful? No. Well, is it that the ones who are hated are just that much bitchier? No. So what is it? I’ve thought about this issue a lot, and my best analysis is that women hate women who use their physical attractiveness to their professional advantage. No one hates the Angelina Jolie twin hard at work at her desk in a turtleneck and flats (or even a professional suit like the rest of us mortals wear). Women tend to hate the Angelina Jolie twin who wears a short skirt and a low-cut blouse and smiles suggestively at the partner while asking about assignments. So, if women hate you and inside you tell yourself that it’s because they are jealous, but you actually want to get along with other women professionally, here are my suggestions:

Know that you rarely if ever make friends by talking about how pretty you are

It may depend on your audience, but I feel comfortable saying that 99% of the time, you don’t engender positive opinion about yourself when you 1) talk about an issue with another woman and attribute the conflict to the other woman being jealous of you; 2) talk about how many men are after you, the compliments you receive on how beautiful you are, how some guy crashed his car while staring at you walk down the street, how it’s so hard to be you because of all the attention, etc.; 3) talk about how guys in the office stare at you, hit on you, etc. (unless of course it’s a sexual harassment issue, and then you absolutely should talk about it, probably to your boss in the form of a formal complaint). Just remember, no one likes a braggart, and when you draw attention to an aspect of yourself repeatedly, people notice and tend to draw conclusions about you that may not be favorable.

 

Recognize your own self-worth. 

 

My assumption about many women who spend a lot of time flirting or talking about the items listed above is that their main source of self-esteem is their appearance. Regardless of whether or not I’m right, I view these women as less complicated and competent than they actually are because their own internalized belief that their looks are the best thing they have to offer comes across loud and clear, and I believe it because they believe it. A lot of us have been rewarded in life for how we look, and it’s natural that a certain amount of self-esteem has become attached to our pride in our appearance. However, we’re not in high school anymore. I maintain that it’s actually professionally damaging to project ourselves as pretty faces. Why? Because we’re so much more than that. We’re smart and ambitious and competent. If we still derive pleasure and self-esteem from being physically desired, then it’s important to leave that aspect of ourselves at home because people pick up on what we project, and if you spend a lot of time priding yourself on your looks and drawing attention to your physical attractiveness and flirting at the office, then a lot of your colleagues will view you in a one-dimensional way, and you will never be truly valued for what lies under the surface. You are more than a pretty face. Step forward and embrace that truth.

 

Understand the broader consequences of sexualizing yourself as a professional woman

I firmly believe that it is damaging to all professional women when any professional woman chooses to use her looks to get ahead. Why do I say “chooses”? Because I do think that it is a choice. True, none of us chose how God made us, but we all make choices about what to wear to work and how to interact with our clients and colleagues. Am I… gasp…saying that women can’t wear whatever they want to? I am absolutely saying that. Am I…gasp…saying that women have to take responsibility for how people respond to their natural state of being? Yes. Why? Because our “natural states of being” are socialized. Many women get positive responses to their looks and learn (from an early age) how to keep getting those responses through subtle things like eye contact, body language, etc. Do you do things of which you’re not aware that others perceive as flirting? Why don’t you ask someone you think would be honest with you because you might be surprised by the answer you get.  It is always best to not get hammered or even drink at company functions as a woman. Trust me, when you do, you are judged, attractive or not.

 

If you’re a pretty girl, please think about this: As much as you may enjoy getting attention for being pretty, the cost is high. The pretty will hate you, the unattractive will hate you. There will be daily judgment, daily rumors and daily injustice. When you draw attention to your looks for professional benefit, even if subconsciously, you are reduced to a lowest common denominator, you damage your relationships with other women, and you create an expectation that all women who could flirt to get ahead should, which continues a scheme of rewards for behavior that we as professional women want to leave behind us. We no longer need to battle it out to be the fairest of them all. We have a seat at the table now. We can get ahead on our own merits. We aren’t reliant on men to take care of us. Ladies, I beg you to be more than just your pretty face, and I think you’ll find that in the process, you’ll be more respected by women and men alike. I also beg you to keep your comments to yourself. The world of business is hard enough for women, we do not need other women destroying our opportunities or self esteem. 

 

I am not so sure the problem I mention here is limited to just attractive women.  I've seen plenty of women I wouldn't consider very attractive conduct themselves in the same manner.  I can't stand such women anywhere since I think they're pandering to men instead of being themselves & it just diminishes any "attractiveness" they may have.  Plus it makes it harder for every other woman to be taken seriously on the job.  At this same meeting there were many women who were completely inebriated, sleeping around, cheating on their mates, dressing inappropriately or even frumpily. It was the frumpy ones who were most critical of the attractive women. This is an interesting paradym. It never ceases to amaze me that these people post the videos of their antics all over social media.  During this same meeting numerous unattractive women were lap hopping, throwing judgmental glances at anyone who did not look like them or looked attractive.  If someone never has a kind word to say about anyone when you are with them about others; you can guarantee when you are not in front of them, they are doing the same about you.

I don't think attractive women should be subjected to double standards as you seem to suggest; however, I do think they should conduct themselves just as professionally as anyone else & be considerate of everyone, not just men.  I wouldn't dream of using my looks to get ahead since maybe some of these people wanting to resort to that should look into a career where that would be an advantage.  Maybe they should also pursue jobs in environments where their preferred dress code is the norm.

 

A lot of it is has to do with what you look like.  I worked in a group where there were only 3 other women around my level of experience. Two of them were definitely more attractive than I was (or am!). Slim, tall, perfect hair and skin and makeup, and gorgeous shoes. I'd say both were equally competent. Both wore girly jewelry and pointy shoes and took pride in their appearance.

One was universally liked by women and men in the office. The other was only liked by the men. The difference was all in attitude. I think women realize quicker than men when they're dealing with a show-off. Or maybe we're more inclined to call it for what it is because unlike the men we can't see it as a personal compliment she'd make the effort for us.

The woman in question would do things like share unsolicited advice from her hairdresser, or about her dress size, or from her boyfriend. The nice pretty woman would leave that until she was either asked, or for a more appropriate setting like a coffee break or after work. It was pretty clear which one was just a nice woman who happened to be pretty and which was a pretty woman ramming it down our throats.

I think we're all capable of having both strong friendships and strong dislike of good looking female colleagues, which goes to show it isn't about their looks in the end. It's about their attitude to us and professionalism in the office. Perhaps their beauty distorts their own perceptions but I don't think its fair to call it a cross for them to bear that they are disliked by other women. 

 

If you're pretty as well as competent, congratulations. Remember to show everyone how competent you are by not using your looks to either curry favor with the men or put down the women. Then we will like you even if you wear size 2.

 

 

 

 

Beauty brings out the worst in people.  Brains and beauty makes people hostile. If men fall over their feet at the sight of a beautiful woman who is modestly dressed and who comports herself as an equal coworker who does not flirt, it should not become the problem of the beautiful women if others are envious when this woman is getting this unwelcomed attention and just trying to do her job.  

Beautiful women are seen as not being smart or nice and manipulative and must have done something to get where she is.  It’s a man’s world in that respect.  
If a gorgeous friendly woman smiles at a man he thinks she wants him, which is nonsense.  Women need to stand up to the stereotypes and come to grips with their own perceived shortcomings. 

The world needs to come to terms with themselves that there are beautiful people (born beautiful) in it who possess more than their looks who are also smart, kind, caring, creative and talented and learn to live with it or try to bring out in themselves what is good and not tear down the beautiful people of the world to make themselves feel better. 

Women are women’s worst enemies, unfortunately, especially professionally, and it is worse in southern states where the concept that women are in competition for men is most acute (because many women in these parts are powerless, uneducated, and really do need a man to survive).  The problem with women being jealous of other women and working hard to try to bring them down must be discussed and exposed.  It is unfair for some women to be subjected to constant harassment as a result of other women’s jealousy or relative professional inferiority. If nothing else, someone should create a website, a forum in which women can express their various experiences with this, and how it harms them professionally and otherwise (such as emotionally).  There is no excuse for pretty women having to deal with other women’s (and sometimes men’s) insecurities in the form of harassment, attempts to undermine credibility, and even slander. It has been observed, women quitting their jobs and losing benefits instead of dealing with the constant unfair professional accusations resulting from other women’s jealousy.  Ridiculous. This stuff needs to be exposed, and the perpetrators should be named, exposed, and held accountable. Most men have no idea what we are talking about - although some savvy men get it. Women need to stick together and to empower one another thereby. This issue has been silent far too long.  

‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ Comes to Life on Stage at MCCC’s Kelsey Theatre March 11-20
Topic: ART NEWS

Arts Council of Princeton Presents Every Fiber of My Being A Group Textile Exhibition
Topic: ART NEWS

 

Every Fiber of My Being is curated by the Arts Council’s 2016 Spring Anne Reeves Artist-in-Residence, Diana Weymar. Growing up in the wilderness of British Columbia, Diana learned the importance and practical value of a vivid imagination. In her artwork, she is interested in how to interact with existing materials – photographs, clothing, text – to address issues of storytelling, identity, narrative, and documentation.

 

Maira Kalman is a frequent contributor to The New Yorker Magazine and is well known for her collaboration with Rick Meyerowitz on the New Yorkistan cover in 2001 and The New York City Sub-Culinary Map. Maira is currently creating an illustrated column for The New Yorker based on travels to museums and libraries.

 

Amy Meissner's textile art combines traditional handwork and contemporary imagery to explore themes of the body, fear and loss. Her materials are vintage, discarded or found, with cumulative histories that shape the narrative of each piece.

 

The aim of Cassie Jones’ felt pieces is to create a “pleasurable conundrum.” She explains, “I like work that is both painterly and sculptural, familiar yet strange, representational, but abstract, knowable but un-nameable all at once.

 

Caroline Lathan-Stiefel’s piece, Wider Than the Sky, was inspired in part by Emily Dickinson’s poem of the same name, which addresses the brain’s capability to contain immeasurable vastness and creativity.

 

Danielle Hogan is a maker, educator, and practice-led researcher. Her research embraces the fields of craft in contemporary art and the feminist possibilities of/and feminist theory regarding craft media and their processes.

 

Katie Truk’s pieces are a marriage of sensual malleability of pantyhose and the rigidity of wire. Thread binds and extends the aggression and vulnerability, echoing life’s twists, turns, and pulling within our rigorous regulations and expectations.

 

Every Fiber of My Being will be on view in the Arts Council’s Taplin Gallery from March 5 throughApril 17, with an Opening Reception on Saturday, March 5 from 3-5pm and an Artist Talk onSunday, March 6 at 1pm. Paul Robeson Center for the Arts, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ. Parking is available in the Spring and Hulfish Street Garages and at metered parking spots along Witherspoon Street and Paul Robeson Place.

 

The Arts Council of Princeton, founded in 1967, is a non-profit organization with a mission of Building Community through the Arts. Housed in the landmark Paul Robeson Center for the Arts, designed by architect Michael Graves, the ACP fulfills its mission by presenting a wide range of programs including exhibitions, performances, free community cultural events, and studio-based classes and workshops in a wide range of media. Arts Council of Princeton programs are designed to be high-quality, engaging, affordable and accessible for the diverse population of the greater Princeton region.

 

MCCC Gallery Hosts “Mercer County Artists 2016” Feb. 22 to March 24; Award Winners to be Announced at Opening Reception Feb. 24
Topic: ART NEWS