tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411020402776399691.post5525272319173004161..comments2010-09-25T19:36:24.317-04:00carl@carlsharif.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05072434612238760318noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411020402776399691.post-29746998027109581242008-02-03T15:25:00.000-05:002008-02-03T15:25:00.000-05:00Nimah Ismail<BR/>In the article named, “Downtown Newark” by Carl Sharif he explains that downtown Newark is going threw some changes that most people barely knows about. The whole reason for this makeover is because New Yorkers think that New York apartments are to expensive so they say why not go to Newark which is only 30 minutes away to build cheaper apartments. But the native Newarkers can’t really afford these new apartments and will start getting pushed out of Newark. In addition the small businesses and venders that were already there are closing and shutting down because everything is so expensive like rent and license for the venders. Then when the big businesses come in they take over and the people that are getting don’t look like us and don’t wish to give back to the community. I don’t like this sound at all. Everywhere in Newark and downtown I see some one building or working on these good looking buildings. And they are knocking down the projects and hood so now people have no where to go. People need to know about this so that we can do something about it. I am glad that I read this article because it really explains every thing that is going on. This is for Carl Sharif and from Northstar we welcome you to speak at our school. You can call us at 973-642-0101 ext. 111.NImah Ismailnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411020402776399691.post-68854509537878101652008-01-30T14:05:00.000-05:002008-01-30T14:05:00.000-05:00You’re right Craig. I am kind of vague at this point. The point of my piece is to get people thinking about Symphony Hall and making inquiry as you obviously have. We still have a number of critical steps to take before we are actually in restoration mode. <BR/><BR/>I am a new member of the Newark Symphony Hall Board, which also has a new Executive Director. The current Board is being reconstituted as we blog and tours of the facility are being conducted for interested parties as we discuss our plans for the future. Let me try to respond to your questions. The Hall has been under attended because until very recently it had not been anyone’s priority. Once NJPAC was developed all major activity (NJ Symphony Orchestra, Ballet and Opera) left the Hall. With their departure, a good deal of interest in and support for the Hall was lost. Indeed, years before when it became clear that NJPAC was going to be a reality, attention to the maintenance of the Hall began to wane.<BR/><BR/>The Hall does offer things that interest today’s Newarkers. They constitute a large part of the audience that patronizes events at the Hall. But you must keep in mind that the Hall is really a facility for regional use. Many of the Hall’s patrons hail from Newark’s rim towns and cities. There is considerable room for improvement in the programming at the Hall and that is being discussed and will be addressed by the new Board and management team. This will clearly take some time but it is underway. The operating budget of the Hall has for years been a bare maintenance deficit budget. We are only now talking about constructing a budget that reflects the real operating and programming needs of the Hall. We are preparing for the implementation of responsible management strategies.<BR/><BR/>There are no plans for a renovation yet. Our initial step is to generate interest in the idea. And we are happy to report that people are showing great interest. We will have to develop a revitalization plan and create a Foundation to prudently handle fundraising for the effort.<BR/>The website does not presently meet all our needs and will be refurbished to include all appropriate functionality consistent with the needs of the Hall, the public and interested parties. Donations cannot be made through the Hall’s website or any other website at this time.<BR/><BR/>For now all interested parties are invited to contact Newark Symphony Hall at 1020 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102 to assist through our “Friends” organization. As Hall revitalization and other initiatives come on line, information about how the public can support will be made available. For now we want you and others to come to the Hall, join the friends organization and continuing advancing your ideas for how we can improve who we are and what we offer. We want and need your help.<BR/><BR/>We will keep you abreast of all our development efforts, particularly the revitalization.<BR/>Thank you very much for your response.carlsharifhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05072434612238760318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411020402776399691.post-47892344232288268982008-01-30T01:40:00.000-05:002008-01-30T01:40:00.000-05:00Supporting the restoration of Symphony Hall is too vague. You need to post links to organizations working toward that end. If the Hall is underattended, why is that? Does it offer things today's Newarkers are just not interested in? If so, they may need new management and booking agents. Does Symphony Hall's own management have plans for renovation? a renovation fund? Can people contribute to such a fund thru a Symphony Hall website? another website? Ideally, if you want people to help, you should suggest specific WAYS to help. (You should also provide an email address in your profile or somewhere beneath your foto in the blog's template.) I will mention this in my own blog, "Newark USA" (http://newarkusa.blogspot.com), but if you already know who is doing what, you can save me a lot of research, and move up when links to renovation efforts can appear on my blog, by adding this info to your blog or sending me such info at ResurgenceCity@aol.com. Cheers.L. Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630561361466137612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411020402776399691.post-69753535034658105542008-01-25T04:41:00.000-05:002008-01-25T04:41:00.000-05:00Carl, your essay is on the money Brother. Thank you for your accurate description of the challenge that we have taken up to bring The Hall back to prominence. You are certain to motivate some folks to join us in this effort. Keep the faith.... Philip.nsh executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10188241818226113908noreply@blogger.com