Saturday, March 17^th

Two shows: 10 AM and 11:30 AM

South Orange Performance Arts Center (SOPAC) Loft

Song! Dance! Drama! 
Last year our production of the musical “Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs & Ham” delighted over 400 children, parents and grandparents. This year’s production of AIDA will amaze and captivate young children with creative story-telling combined with excerpts from the original Verdi score. Inspired by the world renowned performer Leontyne Price’s children’s book of the same title, the production features internationally acclaimed Mezzo Soprano and local resident, Lori Brown Mirabal, performing the role of Aida,  Tenor Dante Fiore singing as Radames and dance performances by Columbia High School Special Dance and Inspirational Dance Companies. Directed by Ruthanna Graves McQueen.
 
Recommended for children ages 3 – 12 years.          
Tickets are $5: Priority seating guaranteed for the first 100 advance purchases at each show. 

To reserve seats, click on the orange Donate Now button in the upper right corner, then select the Buy Now button to use the PayPal feature or send a check to:
 
SOM Community Coalition on Race
PO Box 1309
Maplewood NJ 07040

This event is part of the Coalition’s Integration through the Arts Project. This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and administered by the Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs.

Start Time: 7:30 pm
Date: 2012-03-27

Program Director Audrey Rowe & Executive Director Nancy Gagnier accept award from County Executive Joseph Di Vincenzo

 To support our Integration through the Arts programs, the Community Coalition on Race submitted its grant application to the Essex County Local Arts Program, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and the New Jersey Historical Commission in August of 2011.  Programs selected for support were presented with their award at a ceremony at the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center in Branchbrook Park.

If you are interested in joining a committee, visit the Committees & Programs tab above and then contact us at info@twotowns.org or by calling 9973-761-6116 for more information.  

Pictured from left to right are: bottom, John-Henry Dolisco of the Finance & Development Committee, Len Grossman of the Touring Committee, Alan Noel of the Neighborhoods & Civic Engagement Committee, Carol Barry-Austin and Meredith Sue Willis of the Schools Committee; top, Anthony Greene of the Executive Committee, Mark Mucci of the Interfaith Outreach Committee, and Kathryn Timpson and Alexandra Altieri of the Marketing Communications Committee.

The Conference’s mission is to work with leaders to create and enhance a society that embraces social justice for us all, and to value diversity, educate and empower leaders, promote inclusion and respect in schools, workplaces and communities.

Rev. Rick Boyer, Pastor, Prospect Church

Dr. Kahlil Gibran Muhammad gives the keynote address

Rev. Eustace Edomobi and Rabbi Mark Cooper

Anthony Greene, Coalition Chair

Mark Mucci, Coalition Trustee & IOC Chair

Voices in Harmony sings 'Draw the Circle Wide'

Peter Kurczinski, Dharmachakra Bhuddist Center

Over 500 people attend the Observance

CHS Special Dance Company members

Martha Gallahue, Ethical Culture Society Leader

Carol Barry-Austin, Joan Lee, Barbara Heisler

Volunteer Service Fair

The guest speaker was Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad, the new director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Harlem. Dr. Muhammad focused his remarks on the need for ongoing efforts in civil rights and race relations. He noted that Americans tend to measure “substance through symbolism.”  We need, instead, to move beyond symbolism and make a just society a reality.   Before moving with his family to South Orange, Dr. Muhammad served on the faculty at Indiana University as a history professor.   The Observance also included a dance performance by members of Columbia High School Special Dance Company, selected readings from faith communities, and music by the Voices in Harmony Choir. 

The Coalition’s Neighborhoods and Civic Engagement Committee joined forces with the Interfaith Outreach Committee and, together with the Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills, offered the community a variety of service projects at the event and throughout the community that support families and institutions here and beyond our borders.  The Coalition’s goal is to make the holiday “a day on, not a day off” by getting community members to support volunteer efforts now and throughout the year.

There was a wealth of volunteers and donors for all of the projects offered.  Food, coats, mittens, hats, shoes, books, and eyeglasses were collected to support a variety of local agencies; emergency food packages were assembled; children designed get-well cards for children in the hospital.  The South Orange Rotary ran a blood drive; the libraries sponsored teens reading to kids, a letter writing project to soldiers on duty; and the Marshall PTA held a screening of “My Friend Martin.”  The Coalition thanks all the groups that brought service and learning opportunities to our residents—the dedication of our local volunteer organizations helps all of us to live the dream by serving.

We would also like to thank the following state and local leaders for joining us in honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.:

• Congressman Donald Payne
• Assemblywoman Mila Jasey
• Assemblyman John McKeon
• Mayor Vic DeLuca, Maplewood
• Kathy Leventhal, Maplewood Town Committee
• Marlon Brownlee, Maplewood Town Committee
• Janine Bauer, South Orange Village Trustee
• Beth Daugherty, BOE President

Special thanks to all of the following for making the day possible and special:

Prospect Presbyterian Church and Rev. Rick Boyer for graciously hosting this year’s observance; Jason Asbury and all of the singers with Voices in Harmony; soloists Adrienne Bolden and Peter Ncanywa; Columbia High School Special Dance Company; the Interfaith readers: Rev. Eustace Edomobi, Peter Kurczynski, Masjid Warith-Ud-Deen, Rabbi Mark Cooper, Martha Gallahue; the Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills for their help in organizing service projects and volunteer opportunities; the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who assisted in the observance and the service fair; and all of the organizations that participated in volunteer activities this weekend.

Join us for light refreshments and drinks while…

• You earn top price for your unwanted gold jewelry! Certified gold and jewelry buyer will appraise and purchase on site
• The Coalition receives a donation for hosting the party from the buyer
• The Tenth Muse Gallery presents a special discount on purchases of fine and designer jewelry to help celebrate the Coalition’s efforts

How it works: simply bring your old or unwanted gold jewelry, sterling silver, watches, diamonds and estate pieces to the party.  Professional buyers will appraise each item while you watch, then you receive an instant payment in cash.   The certified buyers pay you the top value for the price of precious metals. 

How does the Coaliton benefit?

The Coalition receives a donation from the buyer just for hosting the party!  The donation is equal to 10% of total purchase price.  The more you earn, the more we raise!

Plus, The Tenth Muse Gallery will make a donation to the Coalition based on sales at the event as well.

Khalil Gibran Muhammad, an African American history scholar, South Orange resident, and the Director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, will be the keynote speaker for the Community Coalition’s 11th Annual MLK Observance.  Formerly a history professor at Indiana University, Dr. Muhammad is the author of The Condemnation of Blackness: Race, Crime, and the Making of Modern Urban America, published by Harvard University Press.  He  is working currently on a history of the racial politics surrounding Prohibition-era “tough-on-crime” laws. 

Each year at the Observance we celebrate Dr. King’s legacy in a variety of forms, including spoken affirmations and selected readings from various faith traditions; songs by the local Voices in Harmony choir; and reflections on Dr. King’s idea of the Beloved Community.  Anyone interested in singing with Voices in Harmony that day can simply come to Prospect Church at 1:30 PM to rehearse.  The closing event is a Volunteer Fair/Reception at 4 PM at the same location.  There, service and community organizations will share information and future service opportunities with residents and friends.  The ultimate goal for the weekend is to honor Dr. King while strengthening our community through service that builds bridges between races and empowers individuals. 

At the Volunteer Fair: 
Learn about several opportunities for volunteering at the local organizations listed above, as well as several others, including the South Orange-Maplewood Adult School, Essex County Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA), Sierra House, Family Intervention Services, MSO Packers, and Boy Scouts.
Service and Learning Opportunities:
For Kids:
Our Friend, Martin, a children’s educational film about Dr. King and the American Civil Right’s movement. SOPAC, January 16th, 10:30 am.  Sponsored by Marshall School.  Pre-order tickets by emailing a request for information to Delores Mae, dwmae@yahoo.com 

Letters to Soldiers, Week of January 9th – 12th
For all ages, drop In during open hours
Hilton Branch Library
1688 Springfield Ave
973.762.1688 

What are you doing for others? Celebrate the day of service by thanking others for their service. Write a letter thanking our troops for their service to our country.  Letters will be included in care packages sent by Operation Gratitude. 

Teens Read to Kids
Friday January 13th from 3:00-4:00pm, Registration Required
Main Library
51 Baker Street
973.762.1622 ext 5005
http://www.maplewoodlibrary.org 

Middle School students and teens ages 10 and up may volunteer to read aloud to a group of young children.  It is a fun opportunity for teens to help out in their community, and for young children to hear some good stories.  Teens should contact Irene Langlois at: teens@maplewoodlibrary.org to sign up to read.  There will be a training session for teen readers ½ hour before the program.  Teen volunteers must arrive at 3:00 pm.  

Children ages 4-9 may register to be part of the audience and to hear some good stories.  The program will be from 3:30-4pm 

Book Drive for Children
Collecting used/new children’s book to send to libraries in Ghana and Liberia through World Education Initiative.   Sunday, 1/15/12 from 10:30 am – 12 pm.  Books can be dropped off inside the Irvington Ave. lobby door. 
First Presbyterian and Trinity Church
111 Irvington Ave, South Orange, NJ 07079 
Email Address: churchsocietyatfpt@gmail.com
Website: diversechurch.org
Contact: Nnenna Okoro at  nokoro@gmail.com
Phone of main contact: 973-223-4979- mobile; church office phone# 973-762-7879 

GENERAL:
The South Orange Public Library is asking for volunteers on Monday, January 16 who are willing to help paint the downstairs hallway at the library between 10am and 3pm. No preregistration is required although there is a signup sheet at the library. 

Blood Drive 

January is Blood Donor Month.  The South Orange Rotary Club is having a Blood Drive on Monday, January 16, Martin Luther King Day, at the Rescue Squad on Third Street in South Orange between 10:30 am and 3:00 pm.  For an appointment, please contact Stacey Borden, 973-454-6272 or staceyelectric@optonline.net 

Food Pantry Collection
Collect dry foods to be sent to the Weequahic food pantry in Newark.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Location: Food can be dropped off inside the Irvington Ave. lobby door. 
First Presbyterian and Trinity Church
111 Irvington Ave, South Orange, NJ 07079
Email Address: churchsocietyatfpt@gmail.com
Website: diversechurch.org
Contact: Nnenna Okoro at  nokoro@gmail.com
Phone of main contact: 973-223-4979- mobile; church office phone# 973-762-7879
Sort Eyeglasses
New Eyes for the Needy needs at least 15 volunteers to complete sorting
Timeframe: Martin Luther King Weekend, January 14 – 15
Location:   549 Millburn Avenue, Short Hills, NJ 07078
Contact: Jean Gagano
Phone: 973.376.4903
Website:  www.neweyesfortheneedy.org 

On-site Volunteer Projects at Prospect Church, Monday, January 16th:
JLOSH (Junior League of the Oranges & Short Hills) Done-in-a-Day Projects for Families: 

• Backpack Pals: Assemble 100 weekend backpacks of food for local children for distribution through the Backpack Pals program in Maplewood and South Orange
• Creating art projects for disabled children who attend Horizon School
• Creating cards and “giggle bags” for children at St. Barnabas Medical Center
• Sorting & packing mittens for deserving children

Shoe Collection for Soles4Souls
Diane Thomson is collecting gently worn shoes for Soles4Souls, as part of a collaboration with The National Association of Professional Organizers.  Soles4Souls (S4S), is a Nashville-based charity that provides shoes to the world’s less fortunate men, women, and children, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria. Since 2005, S4S has given away over 14 million pairs of shoes to souls in over 127 countries, including the United States. This is a win-win opportunity for everyone. You make more room in your closets, while helping someone in need. All shoes are accepted, except muddy or moldy shoes.  Bring shoes to the MLK Observance & Volunteer Fair. 

Interfaith Hospitality Network: Creating placemats for families staying in temporary shelters at local churches
Contact: Kanani Briggs, 973.327.4903, Kanani@ihnessexnj.org 

MEND (Meeting Emergency Needs with Dignity) Food and Coat Collection
Collection of gently used coats and non-perishable food items 
Peace & Tolerance Video: Screening of short anti-bullying and anti-hate video. Produced by First Presbyterian and Trinity Church of South Orange
Food Coupon Collection: Collect food coupons from Sunday newspapers and circulars for Project Bean to buy food and distribute to the needy