Artaware's Blog

It is Christmas Day and I’m enjoying this wonderful origami sculpture by Woodlynne artist, Danielle Ertz!

Nick Lowe’s song “I Was Born in Bethlehem” really resonated with me yesterday as I sat in front of Walmart with a Salvation Army apron and bell and watched all those smiling faces of people as they put money in the kettle beneath the long-standing “Doing the Most Good” logo.

Here are the words:
I was born in Bethlehem. Two thousand years ago have passed since then and I’ve done what I can to remain where a man (woman or child) can find a friend on the streets of Bethlehem (or Camden).
As the story always said we were trying to find a bed. It was cold, I was late and we stood outside the locked gate at the inn until the kindness of strangers let us in to a stable round the back, little more than a shack, where my sweet mother, meek and mild and herself, only a child, gave her best then took her rest.
At the door, then came a knock, shepherds too had quit their flock, with their eyes round with fear, Daddy jumped up and cried “Get out of here” but mother stilled him and bid them draw near. I was there but couldn’t see the unfolding mystery – kings with presents of gold, myrr and frankensense and set then before the lamb neath the star of Bethlehem.
I was born in Bethlehem, it’s been two thousand years since then but I’ve done what I can to remain where a man can find a friend, I was born in Bethlehem.

Five/Six Line Biography (as requested by Professor Seve Torres at Rutgers-Camden):

I am the product of a twenty-seven year old, college-educated, Dutch-American mother and a sixth-grade-educated, forty-year old German American father. And yet, I received equally important but different, learning from my father (and the Catholic Church) and from my mother (through music and the arts).

I am also a product of Manhattan, Tokyo, Hawaii and Camden, N.J.

***

Putting together a Writing Portfolio for Professor Torres’ Creative Writing Class…

Who is this person? Who, so long ago, fell in love with Japan, and is still

connected with children of this world…

One Elra Pre-K Class

Once a month each of the fifteen pre-K children in Ms. Xymaitra’s class
produce masterpieces on an 18″ X 24″ canvas. And nine other ELRA pre-K
classes do the same.

Please check out all the pre-school artwork I have posted:

http://www.artsonia.com/schools/school.asp?id=150869

My love of Camden, NJ, is centered on the artwork of

the children living here.

——————————————————————————

I realize my Camden is so much than Camden Iron and Metal. Please

know that I am just trying to protect this fragile city and her residents

when I post  criticisms of it on my blog.

Most dangerous city in U.S. for POLLUTION (and crime)
Sooo – a joint venture for a health sciences building to be developed… Camden is known for “meds and eds”: medical and educational institutions.
The city will offer up endless clients to serve and educate: addicts of multiple addictions.
The city will also offer up sick employees from CIM (Camden Iron and Metal) – those workers who breathe in fine metal particulates and develop lung cancer.
The city will also offer up to its eds and meds eventually ALL Camden residents because they will inevitably suffer from air,water and noise pollution from CIM (and other industries) operating nightly from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
The crimes of air, water and noise pollution far exceed crimes by individuals!

http://www.inquirer.com/local/20140813_Rowan-Rutgers_venture_s_first_budget_stresses_construction.html

August 16th, a lovely Saturday morning in Modacius – after a quiet night without the sounds of war from the Giant Metal Shredding Machine. I still have a deep cough from breathing in the plume of fine metal particulate matter last week, but am hoping the lungs will clear if the air remains clean and fresh like today.
How quickly the threat of destruction settles in. The fear of the war lord starting his Giant Crusher looms large. It has been quiet for 24 hours. Did the DEP* inspector order a cease and desist? How long will it hold?
At least for this one glorious day, my thoughts can return to a creative life and not just be possessed with survival.
*Department of Environmental Protection

Here is a clip of very important people talking about Camden rising.

http://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/phoenix-park-to-take-place-of-brownfield-in-camden/

I believe it is possible for Camden to rise, IF Camden Iron and Metal, the largest metal recyler in the country,  pares down its pollution of air, water and noise in South Camden.The operation totally disrespects our neighbor hood and Camden people. Seventy percent of it’s employees (mostly Camden residents), subject to hazardous fine metal particulates, choose not to wear masks – I can only suppose due to ignorance about what the air they are breathing will do to them!  I have been told that since CIM is a private company, OSHA is the only one that can fine them on the risk to its employees – and they would listen only to CIM employees (which I am not).

Here is my posting to Facebook with this clip:

CCMUA – the sewer treatment plant in the 80’s WAS unbearable – as I’m quoted as saying in this news clip – BUT millions of dollars spent on erasing the sewer treatment plant pollution will come to naught if the Camden Iron and Metal operation (CIM) next to the proposed Phoenix Park is allowed to continue its 24/7 pollution of water, air and sound in South Camden.
(What wasn’t shown in the video was my response to Brenda Flanagan’s question “Why did you move next to a sewer treatment plant 25 years ago!? – I said Because of the vision of Sacred Heart Church to transform a blighted neighborhood, Monseigneur Michael Doyle, Metropolitan Opera Star Barbara Dever (and her singing daughter, Shauna Dever -and I wanted to do art projects with Camden children and to open a pottery studio.) There are many who want to transform Camden – CIM people not included!