Ben Jones –Black Face & Arm Unit, 1971
Acrylic on life-size plaster casts, 30 pieces, life size (arms/masks) Collection of the New Jersey State Museum, Trenton, New Jersey

Main Galleries
September 18, 2008 – February 22, 2009

Opening Reception: September 25th, 2008

This major retrospective of the work of Ben Jones features a complete survey of the artist’s work, dating from the mid 1970s through his most recent paintings. “Deliverance” explores various aspects of the artist’s body of work, and delves further into its close relationship to religions of the African diaspora.

  

Many of the artist’s key works are in the exhibition, including the iconic Black Face and Arm Unit, from 1971 (State Museum, Trenton). Organized by independent curator Ed Spriggs, whose relationship with Mr. Jones dates back to the early 1970s, when he was director at the Studio Museum in Harlem and Ben Jones was exhibiting his work there, this survey is an unprecedented examination of this important American artist’s work.

Pre-order your exhibition catalogue, “Deliverance” today at .

“Deliverance” is made possible by a lead grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional funding provided by The Joan Mitchell Foundation, Inc., the Lucius and Eva Eastman Fund, The Puffin Foundation, Ltd., and other generous individual donors.

This program was selected by the New Jersey Council on the Arts as part of the American Masterpieces Series in New Jersey. American Masterpieces is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts.

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Mid -Day Host WQXR

by Tom Dwyer

When Annie Begrowiczâ€s career as a radio host and announcer took off more than 20 years ago, she decided to change her hard to pronounce last name to something more radio-friendly. After a few failed combinations, she found a name with a nice ring to it: Annie Bergen, after Bergen Avenue, the street where she lived as a child in Jersey City.  Today, Annie Bergen still lives in Jersey City and sheâ€s now the mid-day host on the most listened to classical radio station in New York City, WQXR, owned by the New York Times.  Every weekday from 10 am to 3 pm, Bergen is the host of “The Mid-Day Show” where she treats her listeners to a cornucopia of classical music. She also hosts the Saturday morning show, “People in the Arts”, where she interviews artists from every corner of the art world.

Before joining WQXR in 2004, Ms. Bergen was the Chief Arts and Entertainment Reporter for Bloomberg Radio, WBBR.   She has also worked at Bloomberg Television, as well as a number of other radio stations including WBGO–the great jazz station located in Newark — where she hosted her own show called “Annie in the Afternoon.”    Bergen has won many prestigious awards for her reporting, including a “Gracie” from American Women in Radio and Television and two awards from the New York State Broadcasters Association.

 

Tom Dwyer
 How long have you lived in Jersey City?  

Annie Bergen
 I lived on Bergen Avenue in my very young years — my grandfather owned an apartment building where all of his children and relatives lived.  My father was in the military so then we moved to Europe for a few years.  When I was ten years old we moved back to my grandfatherâ€s house on Bergen Avenue.  My father had died and my mother decided going back to Jersey City was the right move.  We lived on Virginia Avenue for a while and then to Harrison Avenue.  I live in Jersey City now.
 
TD
You attended school in Jersey City – the Academy of St. Aloysius, better known as St. Alâ€s.   What kind of classes helped a budding radio star?   

AB
I went to St. Alâ€s and graduated in 1970. Itâ€s no longer there.  It was a great school and I had terrific teachers.  I took Spanish and Latin for four years which turned out to be wonderful preparation for the field Iâ€m in now. It helped me to pronounce different languages.   I actually created a book when I started in radio with the names of every classical composer and musician written out phonetically.  If I was playing a certain classical piece, and wasnâ€t sure how to pronounce a name, Iâ€d look in my book and there it was. This was before the internet.

TD
 When did you fall in love with music on the radio?

AB
I had always wanted to be on the radio from a very young age.  I even think that my graduation picture at St. Alâ€s says “Our DJ” because I was the one who put the records on at parties and was always changing the station on our car radio.  When I lived in France as a very young child I would listen to the Armed Forces Radio, which was the only thing we could get in English. I just knew at a very young age that I wanted to be on the radio. And so now doing what I do at WQXR is a dream come true.

TD
What was your first paying job in the radio world?

AB
That was at WEVD in 1977 — the best known Yiddish radio station in the country (laughs).  I had just graduated from college and had no experience.  I sent a resume to WEVD which was in New York and they called me in and hired me that day to run the board.  This was really old time radio and I learned how to do everything from setting up microphones to running the sound board. Eventually I became a staff announcer where I would announce the upcoming show like, “Now stay tuned for the Greek Hour”, and “Now stay tuned for the Danny Stiles Show.” This was a wonderful experience and really got me started in radio.

TD
Your mid-day show at WQXR focuses on the great masters.  Are young people tuning in?  Are you getting young people listening to classical music on the radio?

AB
Unfortunately itâ€s not a growing trend.  Fewer young people are being introduced to classical music because of the lack of arts education in the schools.  But parents still want their children to take piano lessons, which is a great way to be introduced to the classics. So there is still hope.

TD
You have interviewed many of the greats of classical music like Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Placido Domingo and Van Cliburn.   Other favorites?
AB
Oh, there have been so many, itâ€s really hard to say.  Iâ€ve been blessed on my shows to be able to book whomever I find interesting – be it a film maker, a novelist or a jazz player.  But there have been a few that really are great memories.  Tony Bennett is just a wonderful man with an incredible talent.  BB King is another great talent, and the actresses Helen Mirren and Bernadette Peters were articulate and fascinating…just to name a few. 

TD
Being a jazz lover myself, Iâ€m totally knocked out that you worked for WBGO, the great jazz station in Newark.  When were you there?

AB
I was there from 1986 to 1989 with my own show called “Annie in the Afternoon.”  I played all types of jazz but Iâ€m a big fan of Brazilian music. I still have a huge collection of Brazilian music with hundreds of albums and CDâ€s.  I look back fondly on those years.  Jazz, like classical music, must be protected and nurtured for generations to come,   which brings us back to the arts in the schools.  I believe it is absolutely essential to have these programs in the schools. It is so important for a well-rounded life. 

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…coming to a town near you

                                                            Tom Dwyer

 What do Frank Sinatra, Meryl Streep, Yogi Berra, Bill Bradley, Thomas Edison, Toni Morrison and Bruce Springsteen all have in common? They are part of the first group of New Jerseyans inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.  On May 4^th, fifteen men and women became the inaugural class of inductees at a ceremony at NJ Pac.  In order to be considered as an inductee for the New Jersey Hall of Fame, one needs to have lived in New Jersey for at least five years.

 There are five categories—Historical, Enterprise, Arts & Entertainment, Sports
and the General category.  The Historical category is open for deceased New Jerseyans whose contributions transcend any one particular category.  Clara Barton, Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein were picked in this category.   The Enterprise Category is open to scientists, business leaders, inventors, leaders in medicine, entrepreneurs and philanthropists.  Buzz Aldrin, Malcolm Forbes and Robert Wood Johnson were picked in this category.   The Arts & Entertainment Category includes musicians, singers, songwriters, actors & actresses, artists, dancers and those who work in the related fields. Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen and Meryl Streep were inducted in this category.  

The Sports Category is open not only to athletes, but also to coaches and others in the field of sports.  Yogi Berra, Bill Bradley and Vince Lombardi were the sportâ€s inductees.
The General Category encompasses  educators, military leaders, writers, poets, scholars, religious leaders, civil servants, politicians and others not specifically falling into the other categories. Toni Morrison, General Norman Schwarzkopf and Harriet Tubman were the inductees of this category

Don Smith, the executive director of the New Jersey Hall of Fame, was instrumental in helping to create the organization.  “The New Jersey Hall of Fame will honor our citizens who have made invaluable contributions to society and the world beyond. The Hall of Fame will send a message to children that they can and should strive for excellence in any endeavor of their choosing. By presenting such significant role models, we believe that the Hall of Fame will become a source of learning, inspiration and hope for all

One of the programs that the New Jersey Hall of Fame has developed that helps to promote

The New Jersey Hall of Fame  invites  prominent individuals and organizations in New Jersey  to help promote the Hall of Fame and to take part in selecting the inductees.  Everyday citizens can also vote for a person they believe is worthy to be a Hall of Fame member.

 Don Smith is now busy looking for the right place to house the NJ Hall of Fame. As of now, there is only a website.  But Smith, and other members of the board, are looking at all options when it comes to finding the most suitable place. They are hoping to have a main museum and numerous satellite locations around the state. The New Jersey Hall of Fame office is located in the Meadowlands.  And, there is talk of possibly having the Hall of Fame located at Xanadu, the new entertainment complex located in the Meadowlands slated to open in November. “It seems that

At the induction ceremony on May 4^th, only two of the inductees could not make it: Meryl Streep, the actress, and Bill Bradley, basketball great and ex-senator. Ms. Streep was so overwhelmed by the honor, that she plans to visit New Jersey, (when she finds the time between her very busy schedule) to receive the award in person.

At the ceremony, baseball great, Yogi Berra, was asked what the induction meant to him.  “The Hall of Fame is a wonderful idea to teach kids and I am honored to be included in such an impressive group of individuals.  My wife and I have lived in

Smith believes that there will never be a shortage of great people to fill the NJ Hall of Fame. “I believe we will never run out of candidates for the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

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                                                By Tom Dwyer

In a recent article in USA TODAY, Jersey City was picked as a model of smart growth for the rest of  America to follow.    Bob Leach, who is the director of the Jersey City Historical Project, a program of the Jersey City Public Library and the Jersey City Division of Cultural Affairs, remembers when Jersey City was written off as a wasteland back in the 60â€s and 70â€s.  He believes that the revitalization of the city is a great thing, but he also wants the people of Jersey City, old and new, to remember the very important and sometimes colorful past of Jersey City.

Leach, who was born in Jersey City in 1938 and has called it home all his life, grew up hearing stories about Jersey City from his relatives, most times around the kitchen table. “This was before television,” Leach said, “and most evenings we would listen to the radio or just talk. And many times my aunts and uncles would tell stories that would have me on the edge of my seat. And, it was then that the art of story telling captured my imagination.”  

 His passion for keeping the history of Jersey City alive has taken him to schoolrooms, senior citizen centers, the backrooms of taverns and the libraries in Jersey City. Twelve years ago, after retiring, he was hired by the Jersey City Library to continue his story telling and to archive his stories for future generations. “I like to tell people that I am not a historian, I am a story teller,” Leach said. “I tell stories based on local history.”  And tell stories he does. Recently, he spoke and previewed his video on the life of Frank Hague, the most famous or infamous mayor Jersey City ever had at the Jersey City library branch located at Five Corners. The group of fifty or more attendees watched the video on the life of Hague and listened as Leach spoke about Hagueâ€s reign, which ran from 1917 to 1949.  “I grew up in a very special time. I was born in an era when it seemed that there was only one pope, (Pious the 12^th) one president (FDR) and one heavyweight champ (Joe Louis).  It was a time of great stability. There were these mythical giants out there, and for us school children in Jersey City; there was only one man bigger, and that was Mayor Frank Hague.”

 Leach has been fascinated by Mayor Hague all his life.  Each year, his mother would point out Mayor Hague marching in the Holy Name parade and tell stories about him.  Ever since Leach has been a young man he has set out to interview anyone who knew Frank Hague. He has first person accounts on audio and video tapes from dozens of Hudson County residents.

On the fourth floor of the main library of Jersey City, located at 437 Jersey Avenue., Leach has his office where most days he is compiling his stories, videos and tapes for people to hear. “In the beginning, I told my stories mostly in taverns, but now at my age, I want to leave as much material on the history and stories of Jersey City as I can, so Iâ€m busy making sure everything is on video. Soon my videos will be available at the lending desk of the library, and with videos I can reach a younger generation.”

Leach has also written two books, Saloon Stories—about the saloons of Jersey City and Hoboken back in the early days, and The Frank Hague Picture Book. He also founded the Jersey City-based Irish Cultural Society of New Jersey.  But the thing that makes him most happy is the telling of the story in person. He has many favorites and some of the most important are about the very early history of Jersey City when the settlers first arrived. One of his favorite stories when he speaks to kids and adults alike is   “Half Indian Jack and the Buried Treasure.”  Itâ€s a story about an escaped slave who worked on a Dutch farm in Harsimus Cove.  He was half Indian and half black. The story is about a treasure that was buried in Downtown Jersey City and still has not been found.  Another story is about the colonial heroes like Cornelius Van Vorst who helped found Jersey City.

Leach also likes to tell stories about the unions and just how powerful they were in Jersey City when he was a boy. “Jobs were handed out by the unions and sometimes a scab might try to get around a union. This is where the term ‘The Jersey Bounce†came from. The scab would be caught, taken to the docks and dangled over the river by their hands and feet. And just when they thought they were going to be tossed into the river below and probably drown, they would be tossed in the other direction and would bounce a few times on the very hard cement—hence, ‘The Jersey Bounce.†             

 Another topic that Leach truly likes to tell stories about is the Irish of Jersey City. Leach is Irish and has been writing about the Irish in Jersey City for decades.   

 On March 19^th at one pm, Bob Leach showed his original video, “Parade of the Shantytown Dead.” at the Five Corners library.  

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By Monica Prestia

The new 60 seat restaurant, designed by world-renowned architect/designer R. Alexander German will celebrate its theme with a Roman Stone Hearth Oven.  The name, Piazzolla gives homage to the stylish and classic Argentine Tango musician.  The Bayonne Waterfront restaurant, in Southcove Commons Shopping Center, serves up Modern Classic, Italian Cuisine with timeless Roman style and Argentine flair.

As you enter Piazzolla, you are captivated by the centerpiece of the cozy space, the dome stone oven that mesmerizes with its fiery flames and open hearth.  The detailed blue tile work accentuated by the buttery terracotta walls and evenly spaced Tuscan inspired sconces lead the focus to the open kitchen. The dome stone oven attraction has its origins in the Tuscan and Roman tradition for informal family gatherings.  The soaring ceilings with the open kitchen and architectural details of the entrance way make it feel welcomingly grand and familiar at the same time.  An array of table sizes makes it perfect for a small intimate party of two to a party of twenty.  The space is filled with soft rhythmic beats of contemporary Italian music and melodic modern tunes that gently create the ambience.  Evening candlight soothes the senses.

The menu pays tribute to Roman Style Pizza.  With over 20 varieties of Gourmet pizza, owner Alex German comments “Our ingredients are all authentic and are imported from Italy.  The best and freshest: tomatoes, virgin olive oil and, most importantly, the mozzarella are delivered twice a week from Rome.   We are very happy to see our patrons enjoying the quality of our delicious and unique menu”. 

Chef Brian Noto formerly of the famous River Café in Brooklyn, brings his global experience and passion for food to Piazzolla.  Chef Noto uses garden-fresh vegetables, pasta, seafood and prime cuts of meats creating an exciting and constantly evolving menu.  Itâ€s developed around the seasonality and availability of only the freshest ingredients. Chef Noto says “we cook with love and passion in our hearts”. 
Chef Notoâ€s favorite Pizzaâ€s include: Tango Pizza: with tomato sauce, oregano, Parmigiano, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, Prosciutto, roasted peppers, crispy and thicker pizza.   The Montanara Pizza is served with sausage, peppers, mozzarella and ricotta and is a thin crust pizza.  Pizzas range from $8-25 for Extra large pies.

His signature dishes include Orecchiete con Salsiccia and Chicken with Ricotta & Eggplant. The round ear-shaped pasta is drizzled with olive oil and fresh hand-made sausage with the spicy and sharp broccoli rabe.  The chicken with ricotta and eggplant are just like his nonna taught him -   Stuffed succulent breasts with ricotta and marinated eggplant.

For guests with a heartier appetite he loves to prepare: Maile Ai Ferri: The Grilled Pork Chop served with sautéed figs and plum tomatoes.   The Mari e Monti (Surf n Turf) Filet Mignon and Lobster Tail with marinated Portobello mushrooms and grilled asparagus with a port wine reduction sauce.  All cuts are USDA Grade A and Grain fed. 

Piazzolla also features dishes such as Risotto del Giorno. Delicious Italian Rice combinations that change daily.  For the dessert lover, a cornucopia of desserts that range from the 20 layer paper thin crepe cake made with ethereally light cream cheese to Italian chocolate canolis and Panna Cotta.  Served with Italian or Brazilian coffees.

“Piazzolla, the musician, is an inspiration for modern classic tango”, said Alex German, owner of Piazzolla.  “We are pleased to offer a place where guests can gather to celebrate the best that Rome, Tuscany and Argentina has to offer through our distinctive cuisine and contemporary space.

Piazzolla Ristorante and Gourmet Pizzeria is located at 120 Lefante Way, SouthCove Commons Shopping Center, Bayonne Waterfront, NJ 07002. Lunch is served daily, stylish dinners nightly with family style and catering menus available.  Prices range from $6 appetizers  – $18 entrees.. Private parties and corporate events offered. All major credit cards accepted.
For reservations please ask for Alex German at 201.339.3607. 

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By Tom Dwyer

These days, running a business is not easy.  The volatile stock market is creating heartburn for many and shoppers are holding on to their money. One thing that business people in Hudson County are doing to get a leg up, is networking with other business people at events promoted by the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce. Itâ€s a smart way to find out whatâ€s working and not working for other businesses and a great way to pitch oneâ€s own company.  The Hudson County Chamber of Commerce, located at 660 Newark Avenue in Jersey City, has been a center of networking for businesses since 1888 when it started as the Jersey City Chamber of Commerce.  With close to four hundred members, the organization provides support for Hudson County businesses.
Joanne Vandorn, the president of HCCC has been with the organization since 1992 and the president of the organization for the past five years.  Before joining the chamber, she was the assistant executive director for the Jersey City Economic Development Association.  “Weâ€re here to help companies in Hudson County who are interested in growing. We are an advocacy group that helps with certain legislative concerns that companies might have, and, are a countywide resource when it comes to running a business,” Vandorn said.

The organization is open to companies located in Hudson County, no matter what the size. One of the immediate benefits of being a member is having access to other members through the website where discounts are available from one company to another. Also HCCC has monthly business card exchanges at different venues around the county. “This is a great way for individuals to really get to know one another and have face to face conversations on the business concerns that matter most to them,” Vandorn remarked.  “And of course, there is nothing like networking to build a company.”
 Some companies sponsor HCCC events to get the word out on a project they are promoting.  HCCC helps promote the event by contacting all members of the chamber letting them know about the upcoming event. 
Lillian Hernandez, the Hudson County director of Dress for Success, the national non-profit organization that helps disadvantage young women become financially independent by providing professional attire and career development has been a member of HCCC for three years.  “Our organization has found the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce very helpful. I think itâ€s important, especially if you are a non-profit like us, to be a member of the chamber. Itâ€s more than just about networking; itâ€s about meeting other agencies and corporate sponsors. And the chamber has been a great place for us to get the word out on who we are and what we do. We have received a great deal of help from other members of the chamber over the past few years,” Ms. Hernandez said.
One of the companies Dress for Success met by being a member of HCCC was Liberty Savings Federal Credit Union. “Liberty Savings came to our organization and gave financial literacy seminars to out clients. This was extremely beneficial for our clients and the staff.   And, whenever we do special events, Liberty Savings has always been there for us with information and funds,” Hernandez explained.
A  Jersey City business that has seen real results by being a member of HCCC is Brennanâ€s Florist, located on Newark Avenue in Jersey City. Terence Brennan, who was born in Jersey City, has been a member for ten years.  “The resources we have gotten out of being a member have really helped our business, especially through the business card exchange. Iâ€ve received calls from out of state from people looking for a florist and they had called the chamber and we were referred.  One never knows who they will meet going to these meetings. We just switched our business account over to Provident Bank who we met at one of the events,” Brennan said.  Brennan believes that the HCCC is a good thing to belong to and a great organization for Hudson County. “The services they offer are really good for growing a business. I have gotten a number of corporate accounts and wedding functions through the HCCC from attending the events,” Brennan remarked.
Andy Correa, a young entrepreneur from Union City, is not a member of HCCC, but he has attended a few of the business card exchanges and liked what he saw. “I attended a card exchange meeting last year and found the people really nice and met a number of other small companies looking for help,” Correa said.  His start-up company, DrewCrewDesigns, a minority owned company located in Union City, does graphic design for businesses.  “The event I went to with a friend was impressive because we got to network with a lot of different types of businesses, and got a boatload of business cards, which was great.”  Correa also mentioned how he got to speak with large financial companies who were present at the event. “I got to speak to a number of large banks like Merrill Lynch. They invited us to other events that they were hosting where we could learn about growing our business.” Correa is leaning toward joining HCCC. He is even contacting a person he met at the event he attended—the Coordinator of the Spanish Heritage Parade in Union City.
With dozens of events each year, HCCC is a great place to promote your business no matter what the size of the company, Vandorn believes. “If you come to events, you need to mingle and talk. If you just come with a group of friends and stand in a corner and just talk with them, or come by yourself and donâ€t mingle, then you are probably not going to make a new business connection. The purpose of the HCCC is to introduce companies to companies. And, we see results all the time…but, it takes work,” Vandorn said.
The next Hudson County Chamber of Commerce Business Card Exchange will be held on February 27th.   For more information on the HCCC go to www.hudsonchamber.org

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