Glocally Newark » *Neighborhood

Chilln’ on Halsey!

LocalPhoto — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:00:51 +0000

The Halsey St. Block Parties have begun once again!
Last night kicked off a month long series of parties on Halsey St, shutting down the street from Central to Bleeker.
Live music, Sangria, Food, Vendors & More. Good times Chilln’ on Halsey!
If you didn’t make it, be sure to hit up Halsey this coming Thursday for Round #2.

Beaver St. Beat

LocalPhoto — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:08:16 +0000

The weather has been phenomenal lately and Newarkers are spending as much time as possible outdoors. This past Friday a crowd congregated on Beaver St. for the NDD’s weekly “Karaoke Fridays”.

Cool Down in Military Park

LocalPhoto — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:34:46 +0000

Wow! It is HOT outside today. Newark is a blazing 95 degrees! Art Kitchen helps Newarkers beat the heat in Military Park with their delicious ice coffee!

Fan Art Kitchen on Facebook

ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, FOOD, SPORTS! The city is alive and budding. We want to see YOUR perspective of Newark. So grab your cameras and start snapping away. Email submissions to localphoto@glocallynewark.com

1 Washington Park Gets New Look & New Tenants

Phil Hoops — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:15:14 +0000

Photo Credit: Phil Hoops

Wow…what a year it has been for the 1 Washington Park office building here in Newark. Around this time last year, the nearly thirty year old office building opened its doors to the Rutgers Business School.

The interior of the building where the school resides was beautiful and the school was outfitted with leather sofas and numerous LCD TVs.

The clear glass entrance way and stock ticker were also nice addition to the building but yet, something was missing. Aside from the big red “1″ at the top nothing really made the building stand out as being a part of the University. As a matter of fact, for over a year whenever I passed the building on Rt. 280 I always thought of it as just another office building.

As of a few weeks ago all that has changed and now the Rutgers Business School logo is proudly displayed. Who knows maybe one day the RBS building will become a staple of the Newark skyline along with the Prudential Building?

Along with the new sign comes a new tenant and a big one at that in the NFL Alumni Association. As first reported by NJ.com, the NFL Alumni Association officially relocated to Newark by way of Florida in July.

While there won’t be any draft days being held in Newark, the Alumni Association is vital to NFL players after there careers on the gridiron have ended. The group handles things such as pensions and works with researchers from around the globe to help prevent and treat concussions.

This is certainly a huge boom for Newark. To be honest with the way sports franchises have operated lately, I wouldn’t have been surprised if they had opened their headquarters somewhere in New York City. Instead, the group choose Newark as its new home. NFL Alumni head George Martin had a lot to do with the venue choice as he is a New Jersey resident himself.

So now Newark has its own NBA team, NHL team, an MLS team nearby and an NFL organization. The only thing left is an MLB ball club or an affiliated minor league team. Wishful thinking right?

Anyways, be sure to give your new Newark NFL neighbors a follow on Twitter @NFLAlumni.

Photo Credit: Phil Hoops

FABRIC HEAVEN on HALSEY

LocalPhoto — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:50:01 +0000

I recently checked out Newark’s downtown fabric shop, Halsey St. Fabrics. Awed by the by the inventory and the steady flow of people, I hung out and observed. This place is NO joke. There are non-stop customers walking through their door and purchasing massive amounts of fabric, lace, buttons, peacock feathers (?)… you name it, they got it.

When I returned to my desk I looked them up to find that I am not the only person who was amazed:

“I shopped in person for thread, buttons and glue. Huge range of thread and button colors and of button styles. Very reasonably priced. I was not in the market for fabric or trims but was amazed at the selection (including beads!) and will definitely try there first when I need those items. The staff was patient & extremely helpful. The store atmosphere was pleasant.”

“This fabric store has every type of fabric you want. The fabric is the most reasonable anywhere. Plus, the salespeople are knowledgeable & friendly. There is a parking lot directly across the street which made it that more convenient.”

Check out Halsey St. Fabrics
973-623-4985
91 Halsey St
Newark, NJ 07102

Newark’s Riverfront: Rust, Rivets, & Rebirth

Brick City Love — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:26:24 +0000

About a month ago, I discovered that Newark Riverfront Regeneration offered $5 boat tours. Even blogged about here and invited y’all to join me to check it out.

Did I have any takers?

I went and LOVED it. There 3 more days left – this weekend (August 21/22) & August 28.

What can you expect?

To start off, everyone meets at City Hall and caravans over in 2 shuttle buses.

The boat launches from behind the locked gates at the water treatment plant, so you can’t just meet at the dock.

Did you know that 1.2 million people’s toilets empty into this water treatment plant? I didn’t. But from the smell, I wouldn’t doubt it.

That’s Damon in the purple, blue & green hat. He runs the program and is a wealth of Newark Riverfront knowledge.

Your boating transportation for the day is provided by the Hackensack Riverkeepers. They host other programs and tours; more fun outings to look into!

They’re also super knowledgeable about the Passaic river; it’s history, wildlife, uses, preservation, etc.

Two boats go out. Captain on the other boat does their tour, while Damon does ours. Both boats meet up periodically throughout the trip at the larger points of interest.

The tour talked about all the industries that use the Passaic River, as well as the development plans the city has for making the riverfront more accessible to its residents.

The river for work (below) or play (above).

I’ll leave all the fun facts & interesting stories for you to find out when you go for a tour (August 21, 22, or 28) because 1) I’d probably just get the facts wrong and 2) you really should check it out.

Stories like why this multi-acre site is covered with 10 feet of concrete. Two words – Agent Orange. Or more specifically – just one: Dioxin. You don’t want to miss that one. Trust me.

My personal favorite thing about the tour was seeing Newark in a whole new perspective. I walk around the streets. I stare at the skyline driving down 280. I admire the waterfront from the train. But never before have I seen Newark from the river.

The picture below shows the old Morris Canal all cemented up. Newark’s light rail that goes out to Grove Street runs under the city in the old canal beds.

I loved the bridges. There are SO many of them. The iron and steel. Rust and rivets. Industrial and historic. It’s my kind of aesthetic.

Did you know the Pulaski Skyway was designed by railroad engineers? Opening in 1932, it was one of the first superhighways in the country.

I think this next one might find its way into a gallery matted frame and onto a wall in my home. I love the hard geometric lines softened by the lens flare.

Ok; enough with the bridge photos.

Go see Damon and take a tour of Newark’s Waterfront (August 21, 22, & 28). Tell him Carrie sent you.

Click here for more information. For tickets, email newarkriverftont {at} gmail.com or call Ms. Roberts in the Planning Division at (973) 733-3917.

A little Hollywood in Newark

Blake Turner — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:16:56 +0000

“Fashion can be bought, but style is priceless.”

1212 Raymond Blvd is the new home of SO EXCESSIVE, a costume jewelry boutique that opened this past month. SO EXCESSIVE’s mission is to introduce unique jewelry to the newark area that embodies the decadence and glamour of Hollywood.

The downtown, 350 square foot space was recently converted by local entrepreneur Keena Williams. Williams, a newark native has been working in the community all of her life and was heavily involved in the expansion of the TEAM Charter Schools. The boutique is a replication of herself and a way of continuing to give back to the community. “I have always wanted to open a store in Newark and to be a part of the rebirth,” says Williams

SO EXCESSIVE owner, Keena Williams (Right) & Marketing Coordinator Ruani Ribe (Left)

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Williams and her marketing coordinator Ruani Ribe. They gave me a brief tour of the boutique, which was quite impressive. The walls were filled with bold, decadent necklaces. Ribe says that they are using social media to introduce women to these items and offer tips of how to wear costume jewelry, what type of outfits may best match and how to care for it.

SO EXCESSIVE Facebook Post: Splurge or Steal! Steal Kim Kardashian's date look for only $15 at So Excessive!

The boutique also carries bracelets, earrings, rings, beaded mirrors and an assortment of other “excessive” accessories. In addition to seeing a couple things that I would looooovvvveeee to take home, I also would recommend SO EXCESSIVE for gifts.

Don’t miss the SO EXCESSIVE grand opening!
Lunchtime with SO EXCESSIVE
Friday, August 27th, 11am-2pm.
1212 Raymond Blvd. Newark, NJ 07102
T: 973.623.1456

Attendees will receive a free lunch with purchase. (Lunch is provided by our favorite cupcake shop, Art Kitchen)
GlocallyNewark will see you there!
SO EXCESSIVE
Like SO EXCESSIVE on Facebook
Follow SO EXCESSIVE ON Twitter

Out with the old, In with the old.

LocalPhoto — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:11:16 +0000

Old Light Post

Over the course of the next few days Newark is getting rid of the mass produced industrial style street lamps Downtown and replacing them a with more Victorian styled look.

New Lamp Post

SOUL POWER!

Art Junkie — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 02:39:34 +0000

Vinyl Lovers! Lovers of vintage music! Here is something for you.

PloyYester: Vintage Vinyl by Natasha Diggs is an art show and pop up record shop that opened this past weekend Aug 14th at Newark’s newest art space, The Kedar Studio of Art on Broad Street. The second floor walk-up boasts a gallery/exhibition space attached to a workroom that for this show serves as a record store.

Brooklyn based DJ Natasha Diggs (who stocked the store with a portion of her vast collection of records for sale) was asked by yours truly, to create an art installation out of not only her many records, but also her collection of record players, posters, weathered suit cases and other interesting objects she often peddles at New York flea markets. An Arizona native who recently moved to the Big Apple from Prague she adores all things vintage: her outfits, which recall the days of platform shoes, hang perfectly on her thin wry frame complimented by her oversized glasses.

Although the switch form DJ to artist was at times challenging, her completed installation is a marvel to behold. The commanding collage of cut album covers stirs up a recollection of blaxploitation movies. Isaac Hayes rises out of the fray, his hands drawing up the rhythms of times past. A sunburst of 45s becomes a halo to a dress by local designer Vera Soares. Andy Warhol’s cover for Aretha Franklin is hung to show a clever crossroad between art, music and the record.

To be fair, do not let my own bias for visual references mislead you: Ms. Diggs is a master of her craft. She has performed extensively in Europe and New York and collaborates with long time love Bryant K to form DJ duo Max & Spence. During Saturday’s opening she put her record collection to work, which included tracks by Prince, Gil Scott Heron, Parliament Funkadelic and even Osunlade all of which were for sale. But if you missed the show there’s more! Vinyl lovers can visit Kedar Studio 12-4pm, Wed to Sat or by appointment, to see the exhibit and shuffle through the over 1000 records of rare and hard to find soul, disco, funk and jazz. I was even surprised to find a few calypso albums that I quickly snatched up!

PolyYester: Vintage Vinyl by Natasha Diggs
Aug 14th – Aug 21st
@ The Kedar Studio of Art
585 Broad Street, 2nd fl, Newark NJ 07102
http://www.kedarstudio.com
info@kedarstudio.com
hours: Wed-Sat 12-4pm

PolyYester: Vintage Vinyl by Natasha Diggs at The Kedar Studio of Art.

Natasha Diggs

Installation by Diggs

Visitors browse through the many records for sale.

Now here is a question to the readers.
Can anyone name a few of the record shops that once called Newark home? I personally remember digging in the stacks in the basement of Mc Cory’s, but I knew little of where to look then. Here is a short list myself and friend Q.D. Earl from Unlimited Music Merchants put together:

Cedric’s on Bergen St
Stephen’s on Broad St next to Market
Buddy’s on Lyon’s Ave off of Clinton Place
The Wiz on Broad & Raymond Blvd

Kedar Studio is located at 585 Broad Street, on the 2nd floor a location that once housed another record shop. Today for a limited time, Newarkers can once again climb the steps, hangout, and search and then find their favorite albums.

NEWARK STACHE BASH!

LocalPhoto — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:04:24 +0000

This past Saturday night Index Art Center hosted a “Stache Bash,” a very cool mustache party featuring mustache-inspired art. The event bought in masses of people from locals to students, to artists to young professionals, to out-of-towners. Everyone dressed the part, sporting all types of staches… Some real!

A mother poses with her daughter in front of the mustache frame!

Vintage Mustache Sculpture

Local vinyl master Steven Hutchins shows off his sheet of vinyl mustaches!

Photo Credit: Samer Fouad