Comcast was required recently to make some public relations enhancements in exchange for the Warner Brothers purchase agreement. In the Philadelphia viewing area, the result was that Comcast will service any low income household with school age children for less than ten dollars a month.
About five years ago, under Governor Corzine, New Jersey instituted a tax on cable companies which was to be put into a fund to provide a television subsidy to low income seniors and disabled residents.
When the fund got to $9.2 million, it was put into the General Fund by present Governor Christie and siphoned off to offset the State's budget deficit.
The end result is that many New Jersey senior citizens and disabled residents have had to drop service since they do not have enough discretionary income to cover the cost of cable television.
The government mandate to switch from analog to digital signal a year ago has not been a good thing for low income residents. It was enormous market potential for cable and network providers. Each digital channel can be broken up into many sub-channels so advertising and the variety of programming is potentially extremely profitable.
The hapless low income person who cannot afford to update electronics cannot use the present digital broadcast signal. The only options are to purchase a expensive digital receiver or to sign on with a cable provider.
This is a good time for Comcast to lead the way and make up the difference.
For those New Jersey residents who have been caught short by present Social Security freezes, a subsidy like that proposed for Philadelphia subscribers would mean being able to follow news, weather and emergency reports and, for many elders, would likely be their only form of entertainment.
Seniors rock.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Good Night, Irene
Here's how to describe the day after hurricane Irene: that feeling of dampness, like trying to wiggle into a wet sweatshirt left in the dryer on a tumble cycle instead of perma-press; and the smell...pungent and doggie, mildewy musty and limberger cheese, with so much humidity that water condenses in a droplet at the end of your nose.
This is the kind of stuff you won't find on the Channel 6 news reports. No fancy videos, just moist misery that comes from being surrounded by so much water: Water in the bathtub, water in the sink, water hanging in the air, water bashing against windows when hurricane winds gust past, water-water everywhere, coming down the Delaware in dangerous cascades making folks leave Trenton's Island community once more for safety.
On the one hand we are safe. On the other, Trenton is still waiting for the other shoe to drop. Flood crests are expected at record or near record levels well into tomorrow.
Governor Christie is scheduled for an update tomorrow, Monday, so resuming activites throughout much of New Jersey will probably wait until after his official update and the flood crest emergency is over.
During emergencies such as this one, the urge to find information drives members of the community to share their latest updates with whomever they come into contact. This primitive sharing is part of our social beast persona of course. However, sometimes unreliable sources and inaccurate information can lead to gossip.
Over the past 24 hours, several rumors have flourished in Trenton. Channel 6 unwittingly promoted one about the Trenton Water Company shutting down service "at 9 o'clock" and panicked residents started filling bathtubs.
Calls to authorities resulted in assurances that water was fine and in good supply, but the rumor persisted.
Channel 6, Philly, had a face/book I-pad "app" accessibility that let just about anybody post updates and someone posted a water company shutoff for Trenton. The commentators picked up on it as news.
Saturday night, it took Mayor Tony Mack and his personal interview over Channel 6 to correct the situation.
Today there was an early morning rumor that everyone in Trenton had to boil water...which was also unverified and so hopefully people will ignore that also for now.
The Trenton Police Department assures us that if there are any important changes in Trenton's Water Company service the Mayor's Office will use reverse 9-1-1 to notify residents of the emergency.
We must not spread rumors. Like the game of gossip, what starts out as a simple thought is bound to change each time it is repeated until it morphs into a fact with a life of its own although dead wrong.
The City of Trenton website for city affairs maintains updates on storm developments. That is much more reliable than gossip.
One more thing, those 500 seniors in Atlantic City who stayed behind and refused to be evacuated are doing just fine. I bet some of them are positioned to be the first AC residents into favorite casinos when the Boardwalk night-life re-opens tonight.
Seniors rock!
This is the kind of stuff you won't find on the Channel 6 news reports. No fancy videos, just moist misery that comes from being surrounded by so much water: Water in the bathtub, water in the sink, water hanging in the air, water bashing against windows when hurricane winds gust past, water-water everywhere, coming down the Delaware in dangerous cascades making folks leave Trenton's Island community once more for safety.
On the one hand we are safe. On the other, Trenton is still waiting for the other shoe to drop. Flood crests are expected at record or near record levels well into tomorrow.
Governor Christie is scheduled for an update tomorrow, Monday, so resuming activites throughout much of New Jersey will probably wait until after his official update and the flood crest emergency is over.
During emergencies such as this one, the urge to find information drives members of the community to share their latest updates with whomever they come into contact. This primitive sharing is part of our social beast persona of course. However, sometimes unreliable sources and inaccurate information can lead to gossip.
Over the past 24 hours, several rumors have flourished in Trenton. Channel 6 unwittingly promoted one about the Trenton Water Company shutting down service "at 9 o'clock" and panicked residents started filling bathtubs.
Calls to authorities resulted in assurances that water was fine and in good supply, but the rumor persisted.
Channel 6, Philly, had a face/book I-pad "app" accessibility that let just about anybody post updates and someone posted a water company shutoff for Trenton. The commentators picked up on it as news.
Saturday night, it took Mayor Tony Mack and his personal interview over Channel 6 to correct the situation.
Today there was an early morning rumor that everyone in Trenton had to boil water...which was also unverified and so hopefully people will ignore that also for now.
The Trenton Police Department assures us that if there are any important changes in Trenton's Water Company service the Mayor's Office will use reverse 9-1-1 to notify residents of the emergency.
We must not spread rumors. Like the game of gossip, what starts out as a simple thought is bound to change each time it is repeated until it morphs into a fact with a life of its own although dead wrong.
The City of Trenton website for city affairs maintains updates on storm developments. That is much more reliable than gossip.
One more thing, those 500 seniors in Atlantic City who stayed behind and refused to be evacuated are doing just fine. I bet some of them are positioned to be the first AC residents into favorite casinos when the Boardwalk night-life re-opens tonight.
Seniors rock!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Hurricane More Than Another Life Lesson
August was a bumpy month. I blasted through a concentrated biology course, was invited to an honors course this fall semester, bought my books, and just when I thought I could get a breather, we had an earthquake.
Now for heaven's sake. That was supposed to be a "once-in-a-life-time event" for the east coast, but then came news of hurricane Irene. Irene has a heck of a press agent and trumps the 5.9 earthquake with "not since 1903 has a hurricane hit New Jersey"!
I think I am out of adrenalin. Yep. Matter of fact here is my laid-back mental checklist:
Fill the bathtub so you can flush the john, find those fifteen year old matches left over from the nanny's wedding so I can light the centerpiece candles from both daughters' weddings,(I have been lugging them around for almost twenty years just because I could not bear to throw them out), run the fridge temperature up to high, fill my tea kettle with tap water, fill bottles to drink and water the kittycat...round up canned ravioli and evaporated milk, go to People's Bakery for a week's supply of torpedo rolls, check out the supply of peanut butter and jelly, change batteries in my flashlights, locate bandaids and antiseptic, surgical tape and duct tape...and of course my new text books.
Worse case scenario, I can study.
I hear that there are 600 seniors in Atlantic City who do not want to leave their high rise housing. Since they are talking about their walking down many many flights of stairs, I can identify with them. If they have comfort issues, like diapering or accessiblity, they may opt to stay in a part of their apartment where they feel they can cocoon.
I hope that they are safe. Let us not forget that seniors have life experience that has gotten them this far.
Some of the persons in our society today have a tendency to label everyone for convenience or reduce individuals to statistics.
Just maybe these folks feel their collective histories give them an advantage over a younger population that has become accustomed to "services". Give these folks room, please, to determine their own fate.
Well, here comes Irene. Stay safe.
Seniors rock.
Now for heaven's sake. That was supposed to be a "once-in-a-life-time event" for the east coast, but then came news of hurricane Irene. Irene has a heck of a press agent and trumps the 5.9 earthquake with "not since 1903 has a hurricane hit New Jersey"!
I think I am out of adrenalin. Yep. Matter of fact here is my laid-back mental checklist:
Fill the bathtub so you can flush the john, find those fifteen year old matches left over from the nanny's wedding so I can light the centerpiece candles from both daughters' weddings,(I have been lugging them around for almost twenty years just because I could not bear to throw them out), run the fridge temperature up to high, fill my tea kettle with tap water, fill bottles to drink and water the kittycat...round up canned ravioli and evaporated milk, go to People's Bakery for a week's supply of torpedo rolls, check out the supply of peanut butter and jelly, change batteries in my flashlights, locate bandaids and antiseptic, surgical tape and duct tape...and of course my new text books.
Worse case scenario, I can study.
I hear that there are 600 seniors in Atlantic City who do not want to leave their high rise housing. Since they are talking about their walking down many many flights of stairs, I can identify with them. If they have comfort issues, like diapering or accessiblity, they may opt to stay in a part of their apartment where they feel they can cocoon.
I hope that they are safe. Let us not forget that seniors have life experience that has gotten them this far.
Some of the persons in our society today have a tendency to label everyone for convenience or reduce individuals to statistics.
Just maybe these folks feel their collective histories give them an advantage over a younger population that has become accustomed to "services". Give these folks room, please, to determine their own fate.
Well, here comes Irene. Stay safe.
Seniors rock.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Senior Art Show 2011 Results
Wow! We are all winners!
This year's contest is history and the broad participation of Mercer senior artists and community members have made it a truly memorable event.
Kudos to the Mercer County Office on Aging, Mercer County Division of Culture and Heritage, Mercer County Department of Human Services, and the Board of Chosen Freeholders for producing this year's successful Senior Art Show.
Mercer County Executive, Brian M. Hughes, pointed out that this was the second time in a week that the Freeholders had attended an art event. That is encouraging for us because funding for seniors is disappearing in so many areas.
Keeping our art alive is important for two reasons: it benefits self expression, of course, but also produces a legacy to pass on to succeeding generations. Seniors have unique perspectives that only come from years of experiences living in worlds that will never happen again.
With that in mind, it give me great pleasure to introduce this year's winners of the Mercer County Senior Art Show.
First Place and Best in Show: Terry Goldstein's work on paper titled "Pain".
First Place and Juror's Choice: Joan Birchenall's watercolor "Waiting for Passengers".
Oil Painting---
non-pro: First Place, Raj Oberol,"Quta-Minar Tower"
Honorable Mention, Judith Tallerman,"Isabella"
pro : First Place, Jean DePietro,"Lilacs in Silver Teapot"
Honorable Mention, Norman Fesmire,"Lucas"
Acrylic---
non-pro: First Place, Carol Johnson,"Senior Tea Party"
Honorable Mention, Gerri Butcher,"Serenity"
pro : First Place,Emily Chapman, "Amsterdam"
Honorable Mention, Jean Lyndall-O'Donnell, "Stardust"
Watercolor---
non-pro: First Place,Joan Birchenall, "Waiting for Passengers"
Honorable Mention, Kuen Liao,"Street"
pro : First Place,Jackie Wouwenberg,"Winter Meadow"
Honorable Mention, Suzanne Hunt,"Hoping Hopewell"
Photography---
non-pro: First Place, Joe Schmeitz, "NYC Skyline"
Honorable Mention, Anne Benedict,"Stowaway"
pro : First Place,Janice Montervino,"Faith"
Honorable Mention, Gerald Sternberg,"Halong Bay, Vietnam"
Works on Paper---
non-pro: First Place, Terry Goldstein, "Pain"
Honorable Mention, Frank Pastore, "Little John"
pro : First Place, Ming Ji,"Landscape"
Honorable Mention, Robert Allard,"Clinton Mill"
Craft---
non-pro: First Place, Ronald LeMahieu, "The Maize God"
Honorable Mention, Pauline Weber,"Victorian Tulips"
Mixed Media---
non-pro: First Place, Nancy Scott, "The View"
Honorable Mention, Ahuva Arie, "King David Playing the Lyre"
Special thanks to the Show Judge, Margaret Kennard Johnson. Her impressive resume includes Pratt Institute, University of Michigan, Black Mountain College, just for a start. I was told that she is also in her nineties! That makes her truly a find for our show. I am so sorry that I did not have the pleasure to meet her.
This was a beautifully presented show thanks to the combined efforts of Eileen Doremus, her staff, and the folks from Meadow Lakes. My notes from the reception are incomplete so I apologize for those hard workers and coordinators I have left out.
You know who you are and I speak for artists everywhere who would not be able to have a forum or platform or venue if it was not for your efforts. Your enthusiasm and support for our art show makes you key to our success.
One more thing, the winners of this show are now going to be heading to the State Show which will be also presented at Meadow Lakes. I will post details as them are available.
Senior Art Rocks!
This year's contest is history and the broad participation of Mercer senior artists and community members have made it a truly memorable event.
Kudos to the Mercer County Office on Aging, Mercer County Division of Culture and Heritage, Mercer County Department of Human Services, and the Board of Chosen Freeholders for producing this year's successful Senior Art Show.
Mercer County Executive, Brian M. Hughes, pointed out that this was the second time in a week that the Freeholders had attended an art event. That is encouraging for us because funding for seniors is disappearing in so many areas.
Keeping our art alive is important for two reasons: it benefits self expression, of course, but also produces a legacy to pass on to succeeding generations. Seniors have unique perspectives that only come from years of experiences living in worlds that will never happen again.
With that in mind, it give me great pleasure to introduce this year's winners of the Mercer County Senior Art Show.
First Place and Best in Show: Terry Goldstein's work on paper titled "Pain".
First Place and Juror's Choice: Joan Birchenall's watercolor "Waiting for Passengers".
Oil Painting---
non-pro: First Place, Raj Oberol,"Quta-Minar Tower"
Honorable Mention, Judith Tallerman,"Isabella"
pro : First Place, Jean DePietro,"Lilacs in Silver Teapot"
Honorable Mention, Norman Fesmire,"Lucas"
Acrylic---
non-pro: First Place, Carol Johnson,"Senior Tea Party"
Honorable Mention, Gerri Butcher,"Serenity"
pro : First Place,Emily Chapman, "Amsterdam"
Honorable Mention, Jean Lyndall-O'Donnell, "Stardust"
Watercolor---
non-pro: First Place,Joan Birchenall, "Waiting for Passengers"
Honorable Mention, Kuen Liao,"Street"
pro : First Place,Jackie Wouwenberg,"Winter Meadow"
Honorable Mention, Suzanne Hunt,"Hoping Hopewell"
Photography---
non-pro: First Place, Joe Schmeitz, "NYC Skyline"
Honorable Mention, Anne Benedict,"Stowaway"
pro : First Place,Janice Montervino,"Faith"
Honorable Mention, Gerald Sternberg,"Halong Bay, Vietnam"
Works on Paper---
non-pro: First Place, Terry Goldstein, "Pain"
Honorable Mention, Frank Pastore, "Little John"
pro : First Place, Ming Ji,"Landscape"
Honorable Mention, Robert Allard,"Clinton Mill"
Craft---
non-pro: First Place, Ronald LeMahieu, "The Maize God"
Honorable Mention, Pauline Weber,"Victorian Tulips"
Mixed Media---
non-pro: First Place, Nancy Scott, "The View"
Honorable Mention, Ahuva Arie, "King David Playing the Lyre"
Special thanks to the Show Judge, Margaret Kennard Johnson. Her impressive resume includes Pratt Institute, University of Michigan, Black Mountain College, just for a start. I was told that she is also in her nineties! That makes her truly a find for our show. I am so sorry that I did not have the pleasure to meet her.
This was a beautifully presented show thanks to the combined efforts of Eileen Doremus, her staff, and the folks from Meadow Lakes. My notes from the reception are incomplete so I apologize for those hard workers and coordinators I have left out.
You know who you are and I speak for artists everywhere who would not be able to have a forum or platform or venue if it was not for your efforts. Your enthusiasm and support for our art show makes you key to our success.
One more thing, the winners of this show are now going to be heading to the State Show which will be also presented at Meadow Lakes. I will post details as them are available.
Senior Art Rocks!
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