Exileine Jean Michel Samedi, an avid lover of music who enjoys gardening and spending time with her family, including her grandchildren, has completed her new book, “Jersey, My Love”: a compelling read that explores the journey of putting the past behind oneself and learning to love life in the present. It deals with trials and tribulations of young and old and the struggles that affect lives then and now.
Born in Jérémie, a city in the Grand’Anse Department in Haiti, author Exileine Jean Michel Samedi attended college in Port-au-Prince, majoring in social work. After her arrival in the United States, she entered New Jersey University, where she completed her studies in sociology. Including English and Creole, the author also speaks three other languages, and has been a resident of New Jersey for over thirty years, which has led to a deep love and gratitude for the Garden State.
“Faced with loss and pain, Hyppolite must now learn to create a new life in Jersey City, a popular city in the state of New Jersey,” writes Samedi. “Hyppolite must acclimate himself not only to city life but to the regimens of his family members as well as members of the community.
“While still getting accustomed to his new environment, he befriends a woman who will change the many ways that he views his life. But not every situation is as easy as it seems. Hyppolite and a few members of his family find themselves in a position of controversy and tension. Decisions must be made, and it is all for the sake of their family and for the sake of their livelihood.”
Published by Newman Springs Publishing, Exileine Jean Michel Samedi’s enthralling novel weaves an intricate story of the dramas of life and flourishing relationships set against the backdrop of not only the beauty of Jersey City but the picturesque views of the Garden State itself. Surrounded by beautiful greenery, plants and flowers and farmland, and the people, the author’s expressive narratives paint the city and the state as a place of peace and a community blooming out of the shadows.
Readers who wish to experience this inspiring work can purchase “Jersey, My Love” at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iBooks Store, Amazon, or Barnes and Noble.
For additional information or media inquiries, contact Newman Springs Publishing at 732-243-8512.
About Newman Springs Publishing:
Newman Springs Publishing is a full-service publishing house for serious authors. Each title produced by Newman Springs Publishing undergoes every step of the professional publishing process, including editing, layout, cover design, circulation, distribution, and publicity. All titles are made available in both eBook and print formats. Newman Springs Publishing distributes to tens of thousands of retail outlets throughout North America and internationally. All manuscripts in any genre are welcome to be submitted for review; If the manuscript meets the necessary criteria and is accepted for publication, Newman Springs Publishing will work closely with the author to bring the book to the retail market for a relatively inexpensive initial investment.
Newman Springs Publishing Media Relations 800-634-7189 www.newmansprings.com
www.southpawcity.com New Jersey country trio Southpaw continues to find success with its debut album, “Unhitched,” earning two nominations for the 2022 Josie Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee. Southpaw is nominated for both Country Group of the Year and Female Country Vocalist of the Year.
In earning the nomination, Southpaw stood out against a field of more than 52,000 entries and was selected by a distinguished panel of music industry experts. Final winners will be announced at country music’s most legendary venue, The Grand Ole Opry, on October 23.
“We’re so thrilled to be honored among other great musicians across all music genres. But we’re especially excited to bring our brand of New Jersey country to Nashville,” says lead singer Christine Radlmann.
The Josie Music Awards is the largest independent music awards show globally. The so-called “indie” music industry continues to grow as new technology and music streaming platforms empower unsigned artists.
“As indie artists, being exceptionally talented or creative is just your day job. You also have to be very clever about how you promote your own music and brand,” says Radlmann. “We’re very proud of the attention we’ve gained, even amidst all the headwinds from the COVID pandemic.”
Since their debut in 2021, Southpaw has played on more than 400 radio stations worldwide. The band was also named a top ten national finalist in the Jack Daniels Battle of the Bar Bands competition, sponsored by the country’s largest radio broadcaster, iHeartRadio. The first single from Southpaw’s second album is set to drop on July 1.
Formed in 2018, Southpaw is a collaboration of three Union County, New Jersey, musicians with distinctly different acclaimed creative careers—published poet and literary editor Christine Radlmann, Emmy-winning sound designer Sean Garnhart, and award-winning advertising professional Colin McConnell.
For more information on Southpaw, visit their website.
MTV announced that the hit series Jersey Shore Family Vacation, which owns the #1 spot across all key demos in its time period, will kick off the new year with an epic season five premiere on Thursday, January 6th at 8PM ET/PT. Celebrate the first JERZDAY of 2022 with the iconic Shore gang as they return for a new year of fun with the official return of Nicole Snooki Polizzi.
As the world continues to change in unexpected ways, the Jersey Shore family is back together and theyre putting it all on the table. From long overdue meatball days to wild nights in LA with Vinny and Mikes end of probation celebration to DJ Pauly Ds return to the clubs, this group continues to bring the non-stop party wherever they go. With the arrival of Baby Situation and Deena and Chris new little meatball, life events continue to bring the family closer together. And in true Shore style, the group heads to the Florida Keys to remind everyone how outrageous a Jersey Shore Family Vacation can get.
Leading up to the Jersey Shore Family Vacation premiere, fans can celebrate the holidays Jersey Shore style with the 12 Days of JERZMAS on December 16th at 8pm ET/PT. From family traditions to never-before-heard stories, Jenni, Nicole and Mike are sharing their 12 favorite days from Family Vacation. Plus, theyve got a special stocking stuffer for fans with an exclusive sneak peek from season five of Jersey Shore Family Vacation.
Follow along with @JerseyShore on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube. Join the conversation using #JSFamily Vacation.
Jersey Shore Family Vacation is produced by SallyAnn Salsano, Frank Miccolis and Sean Hogan for 495 Productions. Jacquelyn French serves as Executive Producer for MTV.
MTV Entertainment Group
MTV Entertainment Group is a preeminent global media company, connecting with its audiences through nine iconic brands including MTV, Comedy Central, VH1, CMT, Pop, Logo, Smithsonian, Paramount Network and TV Land. Additionally, MTV Entertainment Studios produces award-winning series, movies and documentary films. MTVE also uses its reach for social impact, spearheading broad change-driven coalitions through mental health and civic engagement campaigns.
495 Productions:
SallyAnn Salsano is the Founder, CEO, Executive Producer and creative force behind the Daytime and Primetime Emmy nominated 495 Productions team. Boasting the highest-rated shows for both MTV and CMT with Jersey Shore and Party Down South, multiple seasons of record-breaking Martha & Snoops Potluck Dinner Party on VH1, and the showrunner of Foxs reboot of Paradise Hotel, and Peace of Mind with Taraji (Facebook Watch) 495 Productions has cemented their place in pop-culture history. As one of the most recognized and successful leaders in the entertainment industry, Salsano has been honored for her exemplary work by The Hollywood Reporter, who featured her on their Reality TV: Most Powerful list for three years in a row, and included her in their Women in Entertainment Power 100 list, as well. Variety Magazine also included Salsano on their Reality Impact Report for the last 5 consecutive years. Additionally, Ms. Salsano was one of the first woman inducted into Realscreens Hall of Fame in 2019. Some additional shows from 495 Productions versatile roster include: Double Shot at Love with DJ Pauly D and Vinny (MTV), Floribama Shore (MTV), Bachelorette Weekend (CMT),The Untitled Action Bronson Show (Viceland), The Real daytime talk show (syndicated), Blue Collar Millionaires (CNBC), Winter Break: Hunter Mountain (MTV), Invitation Only (Bravo), Nashville Star (NBC), More To Love (FOX), Tattoo Nightmares (Spike), Mother/Daughter Experiment: Celebrity Edition (Lifetime), Snooki & JWOWW (MTV), Disaster Date (MTV), Tattoos After Dark (Oxygen), Repo Games (Spike), Wedding Wars (VH1), Taboo USA (National Geographic Channel), several seasons of HGTVs #1 rated show Design Star, Oxygens #1 rated show Dance Your Ass Off, A Shot At Love (MTV), Tool Academy (VH1), and many others.
Source: Nielsen; Rank based on L3/P18-34 000s; Cal 2021 thru 11/14/21; excludes sports/new.
In June 2021 the State of New Jersey released a series of enforcement actions by which it targeted gay and lesbian bars during the mid-20th century when LGBTQ folks were prohibited from congregating for a few drinks or some company on premises licensed under the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).
The newly-released book Jersey Queens: Darling & Delightful at the Gay Bars in the 50s & 60s from author Phillip Crawford Jr. takes a deep dive into these historic documents.
The ABC enforcement decisions not only expose the systematic discrimination by the state power against an oppressed minority but provide a window into a thriving subculture in which gays and lesbians were existential heroes who celebrated their identities in defiance of the meddling bureaucrats.
The bar patrons, often referred to as the kids, had a lot of fun, and not one of these places against which the government took enforcement action came across as a sullen joint. There was live entertainment, jukebox music, singing around the piano and lots and lots of dancing. Some folks found intimacy and love, and relationships were characterized as going steady or even married.
The LGBTQ community and tavern owners united together in a stubborn resistance against the state intrusion into their personal lives and business affairs. The manager of one bar ordered the ABC men to leave, and because of the apparent hostility of the remaining patrons, the agents did thereupon depart from the said premises without . . . completing their investigation.
Queer rage in New Jersey was simmering long before the 1969 uprising in New York at the Stonewall Inn.
About the Author:
Phillip Crawford Jr. is a retired attorney from the New York bar, and also is the author of The Mafia and the Gays, Queer Joints, Wiseguys and G-Men, and Railroaded: The Homophobic Prosecution of Brandon Woodruff for His Parents Murders.
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) held its annual Blue Jean Ball virtually on Thursday, May 13 at 6:00 pm to raise money for hunger-relief efforts. After a year on hiatus as the organization responded to the height of the pandemic, the beloved event returned, continuing a decades-long tradition of providing a fun, social evening while honoring some of CFBNJ’s most committed supporters.
Even as vaccines are given out and the state slowly reopens, the fight against the pandemic’s impact is far from over. Accessing nutritious food is still an urgent challenge for families who are struggling to recover financially, who have been forced to use up their savings, or who may not have gotten back to their livelihoods yet. Hunger remains at a peak high, with 1.2 million New Jerseyans – a 56% increase over pre-pandemic numbers – now experiencing food insecurity due to COVID-19.
This year’s Blue Jean Ball, the first-ever to be held online, drew nearly 400 attendees and raised more than $1.2 million to help provide for those neighbors in need. The event was chaired by Alma DeMetropolis, Polly and Terry O’Toole, Patty and Chris Perry and Roby and Josh Weinreich.
The highlight of the evening featured pre-recorded performances by New Jersey native Jon Bon Jovi and The Goo Goo Dolls, who generously lent their star power to the cause.
“When I was a kid, we were kind of poor; we didn’t have a lot to eat sometimes,” said New Jersey resident Johnny Rzeznik of The Goo Goo Dolls. “Kids need to be nourished in order to learn, and we need to be part of correcting this problem.”
The program also included an awards ceremony, honoring CFBNJ partners who have exemplified the organization’s core values of Food, Help, and Hope.
The FOOD award was presented to Stop & Shop, a long-time CFBNJ corporate partner. With a focus on feeding children and college students, Stop & Shop frequently provides food and funds, while inspiring their employees and shoppers to help their hungry neighbors. They donate turkeys every Thanksgiving, assist during emergencies, and host annual register round-up campaigns.
“I’m so honored to accept the FOOD award on behalf of Stop & Shop, our 7,000 New Jersey associates, and our 60 New Jersey stores,” said Gordon Reid, President of Stop & Shop. “Stop & Shop has been serving local communities for more than 100 years, not just by providing a place to shop but also by taking an active role in the neighborhoods where we do business. This means taking a stance, lending a hand, and supporting those in need. This means doing everything we can to support the work and mission of Community FoodBank of New Jersey.”
The HELP award was given to First Lady of New Jersey Tammy Snyder Murphy and the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund (NJPRF). In founding NJPRF, the First Lady demonstrated her genuine care for the most vulnerable people in the state. With her leadership, NJPRF helped hundreds of thousands of marginalized people in the state gain access to food, health care, child care, housing, education, and direct cash assistance.
“The HELP award is indicative of the true partnership that we at NJPRF have shared with our on-the-ground providers, particularly the Community FoodBank of New Jersey,” said the First Lady. “I’m humbled, honored, and so proud of what we have accomplished and grateful to everyone that pulled together to make it happen.”
The HOPE award was presented by Senator Cory Booker, a champion in the fight against hunger, to a number of CFBNJ’s partners in disaster and pandemic relief: the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, the Civil Air Patrol, the County of Union, New Jersey, the Franciscan Community Development Center of Fairview, Ironbound Community Corporation, Table of Hope, and Team Rubicon.
“At this year’s Blue Jean Ball, we honor some of the standouts who sowed hope in our time of sorrow so that we all could live to see a brighter tomorrow,” said Senator Booker. “The selfless efforts that these honorees embody is the spirit of hope. I am so proud of what we have accomplished in these most trying of times. All of us working together toward one common goal of helping one another – this is who we are. This is New Jersey.”
The evening concluded with time for the attendees to network in their respective breakout groups.
“This year’s Blue Jean Ball was unique – because of its virtual format and considering all that we’ve been through and accomplished over the past year,” said CFBNJ President & CEO Carlos Rodriguez. “With a historic amount of state funding and the support of our donors, volunteers, and community partners, we’ve provided more food than ever before to more neighbors in need than ever before. And, thanks to the Blue Jean Ball’s chairs, sponsors, and attendees, we’ve exceeded the event’s fundraising goals to help struggling New Jerseyans lead healthy, active, and productive lives.”
CFBNJ would like to extend a special thanks to the sponsors that made this year’s Blue Jean Ball possible: Bank of America, Wayne Paglieri, Stop & Shop, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Luing Family Foundation, Polly and Terry O’Toole, Roby and Josh Weinreich and Josh Weston.
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), a member of Feeding America®, has been delivering food, help and hope across the state for more than 45 years. Last year, CFBNJ provided nutritious food for over 66 million meals through its network of more than 1,000 community partners including pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, mobile pantries, and child and senior feeding programs throughout the 15 New Jersey counties it serves. For our hungry neighbors, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey is the powerful agent of change that fills the emptiness caused by hunger and provides resources that are essential to earning a sustainable living.
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