Corzine: Impressed By Camden's Improvement

Gov. Jon Corzine visited Camden yesterday (Courier Post story here) and was pleased with what he found.

Corzine said he was "impressed" by new construction at Rutgers, expansion plans at Cooper University Hospital, and other massive upgrades. The city has built a library on Ferry Avenue and is improving its water and sewer system.

Too bad he wasn't here today -- groundskeepers at Rutgers Camden have been planting spring flowers, already in bloom. Yesterday I walked along the waterfront with only a light jacket.

New Blog on the Block

A big hidy-ho to a new South Jersey blog, merchantville.blogspot.com. The blog focuses on the goings on in, you guessed it, Merchantville.

Camden Housing Prices Soar

From today's Inquirer:

The median sales price for houses in Camden increased 81 percent between 2003 and last year, according to a new Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors analysis of five central and southern New Jersey counties.

(Mulvihill, Geoff, "Camden housing values soar," Philadelphia Inquirer March 27, 2006, p. B6).

Restaurant Review: Cafe Salad Works

In Camden and in the mood for a healthy lunch? Try Cafe Salad Works, 114 N. 3rd St. These aren't skimpy "two lettuce leaves and a carrot" salads but substantial meals. You can choose from the menu or create your own. My personal favorite is the spinach salad, but there are almost unlimited choices. Each meal comes with a large roll. That and a drink will cost about $6.00 or $7.00, maybe a little more depending on what you order. There is limited table seating, but many people opt for take out and most of the times I've been there someone comes in to pick up a large order for an office or group.

George Carlin in Sewell

This Sunday, March 26th, at 7 p.m., comedian George Carlin will appear at the Commerce BAnk Arts Centre in Sewell, NJ. No word on who, if anyone, will bring the pork chops.

Nick Virgilio Haiku Conference

THe Nick Virgilio Haiku Association and the Rutgers Camden English Department are co-sponsoring a daylong conference on Saturday, March 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The cost is $25.00. Nick Virgilio was a resident of Camden and an internationally known haikuist. One of the two workshops scheduled is on teaching haiku and the Nick Virgilio Haiku Association is a registered New Jersey professional development provider.

Hiatus

My apologies for the hiatus in posting to the blog. We'll try to keep up in the future.

Missing Monday

Nicholas Peter Zizzamia, of Camen, NJ, was last seen on May 12, 1979. He was en route to Villanova University and has not been seen since. For more information, seen the county sheriff's missing person's website.

Ella Enchanted Screenwriter in Camden

On Friday, March 3, author and screenwriter Kirsten Smith will be on the Rutgers Camden campus. The co-writer of the films Legally Blonde, 10 Things I Hate About You, Ella Enchanted, and the upcoming Dirty Little Secret will be speaking about her new book, The Geography of Girlhood, from 12 – 1 p.m. in the Center for Children and Childhood Studies. From 1 – 2 p.m. she will be signing books.

James Still Homestead Purchased!

Today's Inquirer reports:

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection bought the 8.8-acre spread yesterday from the Trollinger family for $875,000 and plans to turn it into a museum dedicated to Still's life.

James Still, the son of runaway slaves, became known as "The Black Doctor of the Pines." He practiced medicine for many years and was well-respected in the area. This will be a wonderful addition to the cultural landscape of the region.