Nothing Gets Done Without A Beginning!

Had the wonderful opportunity to speak with, but more importantly - LISTEN TOO -- the young men spearheading the truce in Plainfield during their BKS1 3-hour talk radio interview.  BKS1 Radio is a local internet-based combination talk radio and R&B genre music station that has begun to claim listeners throughout the country, and most assuredly right here in their hometown of Plainfield, NJ. I was first introduced to the station when asked to interview last year regarding parental involvement and mentoring.

Although not a religious listeners I do log in from time to time when topics (advertised on Facebook) call my attention.

Tonight/This Morning -- was one of those times and like all the other times the show's topic and guests, as well as a host of call-in and chat room patrons did not disappoint!



Dubbed "The Fave Five" These gentlemen are spearheading a truce among rivaling gangs in an effort to bring PEACE back to the Queen City!  They fully own their responsibilities for past behaviors and misguided deeds, and recognize that they have an opportunity to bring about positive change in our community.



Log onto to http://bks1radio.com/index.php tomorrow to hear a rerun of the 3-hr long interview.



May we all learn the lessons of patience, tolerance, unconditional love and respect as we begin the journey to restoration and peace in our city.

Come On and EASE on Down the Road...PHS | June 1, 2, and 3rd

Another fine production by Othell J. Miller featuring the students of Plainfield Academy for the Arts and Advanced Studies (PAAAS). From the symphonic music, to the mesmerizing moves, to the set design and ultimately to the stage performances -- This is PLAINFIELD YOUTH in ACTION!

Don't Miss It!!!

In the Words of Mr. Bing himself --

You've got to ACCENTUATE the POSITIVE...

Eliminate the negative

Latch on to the affirmative

Don't mess with Mister In-Between!!!

Hopeful, Prayerful...

The truce is the beginning of the journey to peace in our city. I applaud the young men who have taken the steps to stop the violence! Additionally, I thank the Mayor for keeping her door open. The fact is that they must trust her enough to sit at the table and have the conversations needed to end the killing. It's more than anyone else has been able to do to date.

There is a lesson we all can learn from them; from this. We may not have guns drawn, but certainly the acerbic repartee and invectives that have besieged this administration has turned into a verbal war. 

Next week a host of Plainfield residence, both past and present, will come together to continue these PEACE efforts. I hope you will be there to lend your support, find out how you can help, and share ideas on how to develop recreational programming for our youth.

The ultimate goal of this event is to help support the establishment of a Recreation Center for Plainfield Youth!

Mark your calendar: May 28th | 1 PM – P.H.S.

[Check it out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/home.php?sk=group_214384938578575&ap=1]



And The Band Played On..........

Bottoms Up!

Scenes from Plainfield On Stage Contestants: Chevon Thomas & Company

Clinton Claims 1st Place!

1st – because I believe in EQUAL BILLING… I want to thank Mr. Dan Damon for showing some support to our students during last night’s Spelling Bee.

Our resident Bubble Bee Blogger – Dan Damon – Shows UP in support of our Students! He is actually standing next to the school that produced the WINNER of the spelling bee. Was this by chance or Dan channeling his childhood spelling bee mojo? Hmmm or would that be(e)…buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

It took the students just over 2 hours to conclude this awesome display of skills and intellect. As one who is absolutely dependent on spell check and Thorndyke - -I have a great appreciation for those who have the ability to spell based on sound (silent g’s, ph (f) and all) definition and word origin.

It was an at capacity crowd last night which was equally exciting. When we come together as a community to support our students – EVERYBODY WINS!

The Geography Bee is next week. I’m looking forward to another extraordinary display of Student Intellect, Parental and Community Support.

Bottoms UP!



S.U.P.P.O.R.T.: tr.verb, noun -- to aid the cause or interest of...

TONIGHT : 7 PM

BOE Office

1200 Mrytle Avenue

Some Rasmantics For My Fans!

Nat the gnat – you can swash buckle about all you’d like but as you watch from your perch and continue to do NOTHING just remember you REAP what you SOW! And you are right I do HAVE IT! Measure for Measure – we will save the children one (1) RESPONSIBLE adult at a time. And... as my Blog’s tagline says: “If not 'I' then 'Who'? -- Owning My Space!"

Olive – sorry you failed to see Doc’s disrespect to me, which quit honestly has been going on for over a year. I guess we are the living example of enmity the scripture speaks of… However, I assure you my respect has nothing to do with someone’s race, religion or any other personal attribute. It has to do with giving respect to get respect. The fact that I publically stated at the council meeting (watch the tape) that I was there as a citizen when prompted by the Council President to speak, and yet Doc chooses to record my actions differently, only further confirms his inability to see the unbiased facts in matters involving me. It’s quite tiring.

Additionally and as a final note: “paying taxes” and “lifting a finger” come from two different places of social responsibility/community. One is a legal obligation while the other is a matter of the heart, or more specifically -- what matters to your heart.

And for the record – I didn’t blame the bloggers for the lack of attendance – I blamed them for THEIR LACK of attendance. Two different things folks!

PEACE!

P.S. Doc the play was called "DOUBT"...

Thou Doth Protest TOO Much!

How this little blurb:

“PLAINFIELD we are SOOOOOOOOOOO Failing our YOUTH with our lack of support! There was neither any of our infamous bloggers nor reporters in sight..."

...unsettled a blogger so much so that he had a need to post this: Renata bludgeons bloggers, press over PHS production -- Bludgeons REALLY is it that serious? and this.. Renata reviews the final presentation of the PHS play you never heard of -- as in Never Ever Never?! and then this…more helpful than Renata… since when does he compare one blogger’s write up to another, – when it’s Renata - of course!

Now here’s how Mature people responded whose intention are always honorable:

...I truly wish I had been told something, anything about the play, or seen something about it online. I have previewed HS plays before, both online and in print, and we routinely send photographers to cover them. My ears are always open for any coverage ideas, and feel free to extend that sentiment to anyone you know on my behalf. There's a reason I'm always handing out business cards like it's going out of style!

*****************************************************************
Dear Renata,

I heard that DOUBT was being performed on Thursday late afternoon ... I saw it on Broadway and in the movies ... I do believe that there is poor PR ... had I known, I would have liked to have gone.

I do hear about some things but sometimes too late ...Too bad ... it's always been a lack of communication.

I love Othell Miller's work and am sorry I missed this performance!

**************************************************************

Mr. Blogger – it’s amaZing how you come across ever negative feed that hits the airways “riding” around town but missed the PHS marquee that advertised this event.  Last time I checked newswriting means you go out and "seek" stories not just sit back, ride by or lurk in the park in dark for gossip. Maybe you should change your CHANNEL so that your energy brings more POSITIVE storylines.

You missed, as par usual, the entire point -- that PLAINFIELD let these YOUTH down.

One Bad Blog Don't Stop No Show!!

For those who missed John's CBS spot... Click on any of the images to run the CLIP!

Something Good Is Going On!!!

TODAY - 7 PM

PHS Auditorium

$6 @ the Door

Don't Fail Me...

Education in America -- Airs Tonight!

8:00pm ET & PT on CNN/U.S.

“Everybody’s expecting me to fail – even my dad,” says Maria Castro, the daughter of Mexican immigrants, just one of millions of underserved students in the United States.

For more details checkout: http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/