Staring a conversation

Taking public transportation across the Delaware (and all around) can be an opportunity to see new things and meet new people. Here is an interesting guide on how to start a conversation with someone on the train, bus or subway. I encourage people to try the suggestions out as I would much prefer to overhear a two-sided conversation among humans than the usual one-sided cell phone conversations!

New MFA Program at Rutgers Camden

Starting this fall Rutgers Camden will offer a Masters of Fine Arts degree, as part of the creative writing program. A Masters of Arts in English is already available. The campus has already been able to attract known writers. Carol Plum-Ucci, author of the award winning novel, The Body of Christopher Creed, took graduate classes in the existing program. MA graduate Susan Muaddi Darraj has a collection of short stories forthcoming, as well an impressive list of existing works. The department's faculty can boast of Lisa Zeidner, novelist as well as professor, Joe Barbarese, a professorial poet, and program coordinator / short story writer Lauren Grodstein. The new program will be part English Department.

Miss G's is Open!!!

The past few weeks it has been too cold and icy to venture out much but today I took a walk to check on the progress of Miss G's, the new convenience / grocery store at the Victor Building. It is open, and has been, they said, for about a month (how did I miss that?).

It's a nice place. There are the usual things you would expect at a convenience store -- frozen meals, staples, coffee (in the back), items you might need once you realize there's nothing in the fridge for dinner or you're out of cat food or you would really like a warm pan of brownies. However, they also have a selection of greeting cards and party supplies -- paper plates and napkins, gift wrap, even some boxes of chocolate. They also have a selection of fresh fruit.

Hours are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. They deliver to the Victor.

It is a wonderful addition to the neighborhood.

Rutgers Professor Edits Business History Journal

From the web:

The Business History Conference is pleased to announce that Philip Scranton will assume the editorship of its journal, Enterprise & Society: The International Journal of Business History, for a four year term commencing January 2008. Scranton is Board of Governors Professor at Rutgers University and Director of the Center for the History of Business, Technology, and Society at the Hagley Museum and Library. Rutgers and Hagley will provide support for Enterprise & Society, which is published by Oxford University Press. Scranton succeeds Kenneth Lipartito, professor of history at Florida International University.

Campbell's to Expand Camden Presence

This is late being posted, but is good news nonetheless:

The Campbell Soup Co.'s plans to expand its world headquarters and build an office park in Camden city, where it opened 138 years ago, has justifiably won the praise of state, county and city officials.

The $98 million project -- including $72 million Campbell will spend -- is fantastic news for the city. It means new development, jobs, infrastructure improvements, new tax ratables, the investment of private dollars and the hope that this commitment to the city by a Fortune 500 company will make other businesses consider locating in Camden.

(Source: "Campbell's plan is a triumph for Camden," Camden Courier Post 2/11/07)

Eat more soup!!

Gordon Theater Jazz Festival

From January 27 through March 31, each Saturday the Gordon Theater will present FREE performances and workshops by great Jazz musicians from across the Delaware Valley, plus three special concerts with some of the most respected names in Jazz, including Terence Blanchard, Miguel Zenón and Robert Glasper, hosted Bob Perkins.

A complete lineup is here.

This Saturday, Feb. 10th there will be a program teaching the basics of tap and drum.

Missing Monday

It's the first Monday of the month -- Missing Monday, and here is this month's regional missing person's case:

Susann E. Costello

Susann was last seen on December 31, 2006 in Gloucester Township, NJ. She was last seen wearing a brown sweater, blue sweatshirt, and blue jeans. She does have a tattoo on her right arm that says Suzie and a burn scar on her lower back.

She is 21, 5' 4", 100 lbs, brown hair, hazel eyes

More info here.