River View Observer Best Pick“Inovative Money Making Idea”

Rapidly Growing Fiverr.com Offers Fun and Useful Marketplace To Sell Or Buy Variety Of Tasks/Services At An Incredibly Low Price

          Have you ever needed help creating a new logo or business card in a short amount of time, without wanting to spend hundreds of dollars and countless hours on the project? What about an inexpensive, last minute, unique gift, such as a love note written on a sandy beach? Or a watercolor painting of your favorite pet?

            Fiverr.com has something for anyone looking for a quick bargain. A rapidly growing marketplace where any individual can purchase and sell services, Fiverr.com boasts a unique business model that helps it stand out from the crowd: the $5 rule. Any service you can imagine sells for a quick, non-negotiable $5.

         Launched in February 2010, the web site offers more than 75,000 services ranging from marketing, technology and advertising support to fitness, nutrition and fashion advice, and everything else in between. Need your computer problem solved? No problem. How about ordering a professional voice-over for a radio commercial? Are you in the market for translation services? There are also countless gigs for the wild and wacky crowd, like hiring someone to pose as your boyfriend or girlfriend on Facebook for the week, or having your palm read or even your dream interpreted.

            “The idea is that everyone can be an entrepreneur,” says Micha Kaufman, CEO and co-founder of Fiverr.com. “We offer a very easy way for people to share their talents and skills to start making money. We’ve learned of some amazing stories of sellers building up a client base, sharing samples of their work and what they can do, sometimes even leading to new career opportunities. It’s pretty amazing.”

            According to Shai Wininger, co-founder of Fiverr.com, anonymity on Fiverr.com is key. And because all messages sent between buyers and sellers is through the Fiverr.com web site, a user’s true identity is never displayed. And while many other freelance service-based sites require hours of sifting through proposals and recommendations to find what you are really looking for, Fiverr.com streamlines the process and keeps it simple.

            “Another concept that helps make Fiverr.com so successful is the simple price point,” says Wininger. “If you take bargaining out of the equation, things become so much simpler between a seller and the buyer. Five dollars is a very convenient number….and buyers are realizing that, in the end, they are usually getting a lot more out of the service than what they paid.”

            Services listed on Fiverr.com are organized into specific categories, such as Business, Technology, Social Marketing, Gift Ideas, Graphics, Travel, Music/Audio and Silly Stuff.

            For more information, visit www.Fiverr.com.

The post What Would You Do For $5? first appeared on River View Observer.

JERSEY CITY, NJ – As America prepares to observe Memorial Day and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our nation, The Provident Bank is partnering with Operation XO to send much-needed care packages to our troops serving in remote locations in Iraq and Afghanistan. From May 21 to June 8, each of Provident’s 80 plus branches will collect donations of toiletries, snacks and other in-demand items.

Operation XO is a nonprofit organization – started by two Army wives, Heather McKnight Hamilton and Amanda Riker – that provides basic items, including non-perishable single-serve meals and toiletries, to troops stationed in hard-to-reach areas. Amanda’s mother, Doreen Noonan, is a commercial loan coordinator at Provident and suggested that the bank serve as a donation site. Noonan’s husband is also currently serving overseas.

“Thousands of troops stationed in remote locations and combat zones have limited or no access to basic items, like deodorant and sun block. The military can only supply so much,” said Noonan. “Some don’t even have access to running water – something we take for granted every day. With help from the community, Operation XO will send packages of snacks, toiletries and other necessities to our troops to help improve their quality of life.”

In addition to branches serving as drop-off locations, Provident will cover the shipping costs for the first 100 packages collected.

Richard Vaill, business development officer at Provident, served on active duty as a Logistics Officer with the 2nd Marine Division in Desert Storm, and said receiving packages from “home” is always deeply appreciated.

“Care packages help bring some of the comforts of home to our troops. It’s important for us to let them know that we’re thinking of them and appreciate their service,” said Vaill. “These small items can make a big difference. What better time to show our support than in the spirit of Memorial Day?”

For a list of items to donate, visit www.operationxo.org and click on Get Involved. To find a Provident branch location, visit www.ProvidentNJ.com or call 800-448-PROV (7768).

About The Provident Bank

With $4.9 billion in deposits, The Provident Bank (www.providentnj.com) serves its customers via a network of more than 80 branches throughout northern and central New Jersey. The Provident Bank is the wholly owned subsidiary of Provident Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE:PFS), which reported assets of $6.8 billion as of March 31, 2010.

The post Provident Serves as Temporary Outpost for “Operation XO” first appeared on River View Observer.

Record producers will tell you that in order to make it in the music business you have to be equipped with; a good strong voice, loads of confidence and the ability to perform on the spot, and to have passion! The passion to give it all you’ve got and the drive not to stop until you get there!

Just ask Johnny Martin (aka John Marino) a singer whose drive and passion have propelled him to record his first CD, “Johnny Martin, I Will Always Love You.”

Growing up in Jersey City, N.J. Martin loved to sing; he was drawn to it and did it well. As a grammar school student at Holy Rosary in downtown Jersey City, Martin first realized that he had the ability to sing. Speaking to his parents he explained his desire to sing, soon after he began taking voice lessons to master his vocal technique, but after grammar school it soon came to a pause.

As a high school student at Ferris High School, he sung on street corners with small groups, always testing his vocals and enjoying his love for music, but never going beyond that.

In the year of 1974, Marino opened up his own business in hair restoration, and with true dedication to his business and raising his family, he took another pause from his music.

Although the passion to sing lived within him, he worked hard and dedicated all of his time into making his business a success.

The years would soon pass by, and Martin still continued to embrace his true feelings of singing deep within; so in the early 1990’s, he decided to finally take the next step into making his singing career a reality. With the support of his wife and family he picked up where he left off and committed himself to taking voice lessons. He worked hard at it for several years and perfected his voice, he refined his styled and decided that it was time to get serious.

Martin explains, “I started recording myself at home and playing it back and listening to myself. I started thinking if I want to get serious again, I better go back and take some lessons and that’s what I did.” As he continued with his lessons, Martin began to focus on his goal to make an album of songs that he loved.

In 2008, through friends of Martin’s he met a couple from N.J who had a studio, their names Sharman and Alfred Nittoli (the Nittoli’s are well-known for writing the song “Here’s to the Band” for Frank Sinatra.) Upon meeting the Nittoli’s, Martin realized that this was the direction he wanted to take in order to bring his album to fruition. Soon after their meeting Martin concentrated on his goal, he gathered together a talented ensemble of musicians, which consisted of Tommy Cavalucci (Drums), Frankie Cupo (Bass, Keyboards), Gill Chimes (Vibes, Harmonica) Sharman Nittoli (Piano, Keyboards, Background Vocals, Musical Director and Arranger) and Alfred Nittoli (Saxophone, Violin, Musical Director and Arranger). Together the entire team began recording and what transpired was not only Johnny Martin’s album, but a life-long dream of Martin’s that had finally become a reality. 

 His new CD is made up with a compilation of songs from the “great American songbook.” He explains, “I’ve always been a lover of the American songbook. As a matter of fact if you look at my high school yearbook, you’ll see that I was a big Sinatra fan.” Although at the time it was all about rock, I was always quoted as being a fan of his”.

The title of Martin’s new CD, “I Will Always Love You,” which is also the first cut on the CD and a wonderful song made famous by another crooner Dean Martin, is the perfect title and song to begin Johnny Martin’s tribute to the “great American song book”.

Johnny Martin shows real vocal mastery on each track of his CD, he demonstrates impeccable phrasing in each song and his love of this genre of music can be felt on each track. I especially loved “My Baby Just Cares for Me, “an up-tempo number with female background vocals that will have your foot tapping throughout the song.

Based on his first CD I believe Martin has a long singing career ahead of him. He does a wonderful rendition of “More”, and the “Way You Look Tonight.” Martin’s CD will always have a place as part of my own permanent record collection. I enjoyed the CD that much and you will  too!

Martin credits Sharman and Alfred Nittoli and his wonderful and talented musicians for their help and dedication to making this album. He also expresses heartfelt thanks and dedicates his CD to his wife Pat and his family, which he expresses, “Without their love and support, it wouldn’t have been possible.” His advice for up and coming singers is this, ” If you feel that you have a talent, pursue your talent and get professional help; pursue your dream and never give up. Never stop meeting people; by meeting people  that’s how you’ll network yourself and make connections. No one is ever going to promote you, you have to promote yourself.” Pursuing your dreams and never giving up is something this talented singer has truly accomplished; with a successful business, a completed CD and the realization of a dream, Martin is a true inspiration to us all.

If you’re interested in learning more about Johnny Martin or if you would like to listen to some of his songs, sign on to www.johnnymartinsings.com 

Also, if you’re interested in booking Martin for your next event you can email him at johnmartinsings@aol.com

Read more music stories @www.riverviewobserver.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

The post Introducing the One and Only “Johnny Martin” first appeared on River View Observer.

 in  Cablevision Service Area

 MSG Varsity is kicking off a new contest open to all high schools in the Cablevision service area, MSG Varsity’s Mascot Dash to the Desk. Mascot Dash to the Desk offers schools the opportunity to submit a photo of their school mascot online at msgvarsity.com from April 14^–21 to be eligible for the grand prize – a brand new mascot costume for their high school (worth up to $6,000) and a guest appearance by the school’s mascot on MSG Varsity’s signature daily sports show, High School SportsDesk, on Cablevision’s iO TV (Channel 14).

 From the submissions, a maximum of 80 schools will be selected to compete in the contest. Over five weeks, the mascots will compete in “heats” for weekly prizes. Online voting will determine the 20 finalists that will go on to compete in the final sprint to win the grand prize. Online voting will also determine the Mascot Dash to the Desk Champion. The grand prize, 2^nd & 3^rd place winners will be announced on June 6^th.

 “Based on the success of our first contest School Spirit Mania, we wanted to find another interactive way for high school students to showcase their school spirit,” said Philip Summers, VP Marketing for MSG Varsity. “And a mascot race was the answer. We’re looking forward to getting the Dash to the Desk started to find out which school mascot will be voted champion and be receiving a make-over.”

 For more information on Dash to the Desk and to see the weekly prize packages please go to www.msgvarsity.com.

 

MSG Varsity includes a multi-platform suite of services, made up of a 24/7 television network that airs on Cablevision’s iO TV service, channel 14; a comprehensive online destination, msgvarsity.com; and a groundbreaking interactive service, channel 614 – all spotlighting extracurricular activities and events at local high schools. 

 

About MSG Varsity

MSG Varsity is a multi-platform suite of services comprised of: a 24/7 television network, a comprehensive online destination, and a groundbreaking interactive service, all dedicated to high school sports, academics and activities happening throughout the tri-state area.  Content for these services includes MSG Varsity’s professionally produced programming as well as content created by the high schools themselves.  Working in partnership with MSG Varsity, students and faculty are given extraordinary access to curriculum and training in multimedia creation and distribution, empowering them to become active participants in telling their school’s stories.  MSG Varsity is a Cablevision exclusive service not available to satellite or phone company TV subscribers and reaches three million households throughout the New York market.  For more information, please visit www.msgvarsity.com.

 

 

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The post DOES YOUR HIGH SCHOOL MASCOT HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?ENTER MSG VARSITY’S MASCOT DASH TO THE DESK NOW first appeared on River View Observer.

Facebook confirmed that it does not send such e-mails and that it is warning users to alert others of the pending danger in the virus-laden e-mails. Facebook users may represent a very vulnerable demographic for virus spreaders and hackers, as they are often unconcerned with the security of their online activity. People often engage in Facebook, Instant Messaging and e-mailing simultaneously, rapidly clicking on everything that’s flying in and out of their screens. It’s easy to imagine millions of Facebook users “accidentally” clicking on an e-mail attachment they believe is from Facebook without ever thinking about it.

By Buzzle Staff and Agencies
Published: 3/19/2010

The post New Virus Targets Facebook Users first appeared on River View Observer.

To better accommodate the needs of students who work and may be unable to attend classes at other times of the day, Hudson County Community College will begin offering “Sunrise Sessions” in January 2010.

The “Sunrise Sessions” include a variety of studies in English, Math, Business, Computers, Humanities, Spanish and Culinary Arts.  They will be held in the College’s 25 Journal Square building, which is directly adjacent to the Journal Square PATH Station in Jersey City. Classes begin at 6:50 or 7:00 a.m. and conclude between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m., allowing for workers to be at their desks by – or shortly after – 9:00 a.m.

“We realized there is a very real need to make provisions for our students who, because of work or personal demands, simply cannot take classes any time but early morning,” said Hudson County Community College President Dr. Glen Gabert. “We added staff, created more classrooms, extended registration, and arranged for easier access to the bookstore as well as negotiated reduced parking fees,” he concluded.

In all, the College will have 15 for-credit classes in its early morning sessions, including: Principles of Management, College Algebra, Introduction to Computers & Computing, Introduction to Psychology, Basic Spanish I, English Foundations, Basic Writing II, College Composition I/College Composition Workshop, Speech, Cultures & Values, Food Service Sanitation and Storeroom & Purchasing Operations. All of these classes are scheduled for two days a week and will begin meeting the last week of January.

Registration for the “Sunrise Sessions” and the full roster of courses that will be available in the College’s Spring 2010 term is open now through January 22 at both the Journal Square (Jersey City) and West New York campuses.

There are more than 400 degree, non-degree, and certificate courses being offered in the Spring 2010 term that may lead to – or may strengthen- employment in the key sectors. HCCC offers RN and LPN nursing programs as well as those in the paramedic sciences, health sciences, early childhood education, education, and global trade. The College is acclaimed for its nationally recognized Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management programs, and additionally offers classes in several mainstay business, computer science and information technology, home economics, law, mathematics, humanities, social sciences and multidisciplinary studies. HCCC also offers the “New Pathways to Teaching in New Jersey” program that enables individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree or higher to become licensed teachers within one year.

Hudson County Community College Board of Trustees Chairman William J. Netchert said that the College offers great value for students. “Hudson County Community College is one of the best educational values around. In addition to top-notch faculty and curriculum, we have safe, newly built or newly renovated facilities that are adjacent to public transporation,” Mr. Netchert stated. He added that the College’s financial aid staff has helped 75% of students secure financial aid. “No wonder our enrollment has increased more than any other county college in the State,” he said.

More information on “Sunrise Sessions” and all of the College’s Spring 2010 offerings is available at www.hccc.edu/sunrise or by phoning the Office of Enrollment Services at (201) 714-7200.

The post “SUNRISE SESSIONS” Hudson County Community College to Offer Early Morning Classes Beginning January 2010 first appeared on River View Observer.

At a recent Bayonne City Council meeting Gail Godesky Publicity Chairwoman & Sponsorship Chair for the American Cancer Society’s -Relay for Life addressed the Bayonne City Council in asking for the fee to be waived for the use of Ahern’s Veteran Stadium in Bayonne for the 201o Bayonne Relay For Life -which is tentatively scheduled for June 11- 12th, 2010

In her address to the Bayonne City Council, Ms. Godesky had this to say after addressing each of the council-members in attendance…

 “My name is Gail Godesky; I am born and raised in a great city-Bayonne. As some of you know my sister Lori Starke passed away at 49 years old on February 22nd, 2008 and my mom Lorraine Godesky at the age of  77 passed away February 17th, 2009 from the terrible disease we call cancer for lack of a better word and from a disease that kills and not quietly but rather angrily.

Cancer shows no preference-it has struck old, young, mothers, father’s, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives and dear friends.

Since the passing of my family members I have been very involved in the American Cancer Society and the Relay for Life. Our team is called the EVERYDAY ANGELS.

Ms. Godesky then asked the American Cancer Society members to stand who were in attendance of the meeting and then stated that she was there to ask for special consideration of the Bayonne City Council by saying…

 

“Now in 2010 we are asking for the fee to again be waived. $6800 could be what we pay to use Ahern’s Veteran Stadium…or it could be used to pay for expenses for 2 patients to stay at Hope Lodge for a day, and for 1 patients to participate in and American Cancer Society funded clinical trial, and reach to recovery visits for 5 women, and 8 round trips for 1 patient via the road to rec0very program. It could help fund the DNA research in the cancer prevention study, better determining the different causes of cancer. The money we raise at the Relay for Life of Bayonne is used to fund research, programs and services, advocacy and education. Imagine what the $100,000 we want to raise can do to help.

By waiving our fee, you are bringing us $6800 closer to that goal.  And more importantly, you are helping us create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.”

As of this post Ms. Godesky and the American Cancer Society -Bayonne’s Relay for Life is awaiting word on the Bayonne City Council’s decision to waive the fee for the use of Ahern Stadium for the 2010 Bayonne Relay for Life.

The post American Cancer Society -Relay for Life – Makes Plea At Recent Bayonne City Council Meeting first appeared on River View Observer.

 

HOBOKEN, NJ (December 2009) – Chris Onieal, owner of Onieal’s in Hoboken, NJ and a member of the New Jersey Restaurant Association (NJRA), is one of thousands of restaurant owners who say the limited tax deductibility of business meal expenses is eating into their profits.

            Onieal and others are driving a national movement to restore tax deductibility for business meals and entertainment to its former level. In 1986, Congress reduced the allowable tax deduction from 100 percent to 80 percent. Congress further reduced the deduction to 50 percent in 1993.

The “reduction in the deduction” has hurt businesses nationwide – particularly small businesses and the people they employ.

“It’s amazing that almost every other business expense including travel, gifts for clients and hotels are fully deductible and business meals are not.  The business meal should be treated as a legitimate business expense also,” noted Onieal.  “With today’s economy, face-to-face client meetings are more important than ever.  Plus, those business luncheons translate into job creation in the restaurant industry.”

However, legislation introduced earlier this year by Representative Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) would increase the federal tax deduction for business meals from 50 percent to 80 percent. The move would augment business meal sales by $6 billion annually and power an $18 billion boost to the U.S. economy, according to research by the National Restaurant Association.

In New Jersey, restaurants and hospitality companies represent the largest private-sector employer in the state. Industry observers emphasize the critical connection between President’s Obama’s current initiatives to create new jobs and the beneficial impact the tax law change would have on reducing unemployment here and across the country.

 “No other single piece of legislation would have the positive effect that this bill, HR 3333, would have on the New Jersey, the regional and the national restaurant industry – particularly from a job-creation standpoint,” said Deborah Dowdell, president of the NJRA.

“NJRA applauds this proposed legislation not only because it would improve restaurant sales, but also because it would directly benefit small-business owners and their employees, many of whom are part-time workers who have lost employment opportunities because of the negative impact of the deductibility restrictions,” Dowdell added.

Studies have shown that two-thirds of the companies that claim the business meal tax deduction are small-business owners, who tend to use restaurants as “conference rooms” for conducting business with customers and prospects. Consequently, the tax deduction has historically benefited small enterprises, which rely on it to help them from both a marketing and customer relations standpoint.

Jamie Hoyos, of the Manhattan Steak House and 2010 chairman-elect of the NJRA added, “The reduction in business meal tax deductions has clearly had a negative ripple effect on businesses in New Jersey and across the country. To increase the percentage of deductibility to its former level would have a similar ripple effect – but in a dramatically positive way.”

The NJRA believes restaurants will continue to face serious financial challenges in the year ahead.  “Despite the fact that we’re sensing an imminent upturn in the economy, restaurants will still contend with onerous market conditions in 2010. Increasing the business meal tax deduction will go a long way to helping the restaurant industry, as well as other sectors of the economy –  like business travel and tourism industries – which also rely on the tax deduction,” continued Dowdell.

            When looking at jobs creation and the impact that jobs in the restaurant industry have had on society, nearly one-half of all adults have worked in the restaurant industry at some point during their lives while 32% of all adults got their first job experience in a restaurant. America’s eating-and-drinking places employ more minority managers than any other industry.  One-quarter of restaurants are owned by women, 15% by Asian-Americans, 8% by Hispanic- Americans and 4% by African-Americans.         

“Restoring business meals deductibility will benefit all segments of the industry from casual to fine dining, and will be beneficial to urban revitalization that relies so heavily on the labor intensive-job creating restaurant industry that employs so many first time job holders, teenagers and entrepreneurs looking to transition to new careers by starting their own businesses,” noted Dowdell. 

The NJRA represents owners and operators of full-service restaurants, catering facilities, taverns and pubs, brew pubs, diner restaurants, hotel restaurants, coffee shops, limited and quick service restaurants, institutional feeders, delis, pizzerias, country clubs, culinary students and schools.  Today, the New Jersey restaurant and hospitality industry includes 23,000 eating and drinking establishments with over 300,000 employees – making restaurant and hospitality the largest private-sector employer in New Jersey.  Visit www.njra.org.

The post NEW JERSEY RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION AND LOCAL RESTAURATEURS RALLY BEHIND PROPOSED INCREASE IN BUSINESS MEAL TAX DEDUCTION first appeared on River View Observer.