Podcasts about new jersey state assembly

Today's featured poet is Charise Hoge (0:03:35) whose latest collection, Inheritance of Flowers, came out this spring from Kelsay Books. Reflecting on her grandmother's legacy as a southern flower shop owner, Charise speaks with Ann about ancestry, belonging, and our internal connections with nature that are sustaining even in times of upheaval and hibernation.In the Ask Randi segment, Dr. Randi Eckel (0:29:27) dives into New Jersey's game-changing Bill S1029, which was just passed by the State Senate. This bill tackles the sale of invasive plants and creates an Invasive Species Council—huge wins for our native ecosystems. But this bill is not law yet. The New Jersey State Assembly still needs to pass Bill A4137 to seal the deal. So now is the moment to act: Call or email your State Assembly member and urge them to support A4137 or reach out to NPSNJ Advocacy with questions. Your voice can help protect the landscapes we love! Plus, Randi answers a listener question about living native Christmas trees—sharing her top picks for outdoor planting after the holiday season.Kim then talks with Ken Chaya (0:43:43) celebrated artist and New York-based urban naturalist. Ken shares why Central Park has become one of the premier birding spots in the United States. With its unique geography and rich canopy of over 20,000 trees, the park is a vital oasis for migratory birds—and a paradise for birders. Ken was instrumental in creating the Central Park Entire App, is the past President of the Linnaean Society and teaches at the New York Botanical Garden, where he helped design the Urban Naturalist Certificate Program. Most recently, he led a four-week deep dive into The Natural History of Birds for NPSNJ.Kim and Ann close the episode in conversation with the remarkable Mélina Mangal (1:11:32)—author of children's books that explore our deep connections between nature and culture. Her latest works, Birds Sing Their Words and Trees Stand Tall, are lyrical board books for young readers, published by Free Spirit Publishing. Mélina is also a school library teacher in Minneapolis, where she champions the joy of reading every day. Together, we discuss book censorship, the vital role of storytelling, and why the freedom to read and access information is essential to the health of our democracy.  Announcement from The WildStory: We will take a short hiatus this summer—offering regenerative time for gardening, writing, family, and more. We will be back with a new episode in September!

Riding a roller coaster has its own level of fright—no matter how much you enjoy them—but you can take that fright to a whole new level come Halloween season. Just about every amusement park in the country has its own version of a frightful adventure.Amusement Park Expert Pete Trabucco uses the expertise from his book "America's Top Roller Coasters and Amusement Parks", to break down all the details for the scariest parks for Halloween in 2016.Pete is available to answer the following questions:* With this year's holiday coming up, which parks are offering up the best scares?* What parks seems to be the scariest for the season?* Is Halloween a popular season for amusement parks?* What are your overall thoughts of these parks and the specifications?* What made you an expert in roller coasters and amusement parks?Pete Trabucco has appeared on over 1200 radio and television shows (including Fox News Channel, MSNBC, Bloomberg Television, The CW network, CNN The Weather Channel and the Travel Channel, to name just a few) around the country. Pete is currently averaging around a dozen appearances per month. Most recently, he was featured in New York's own "Newsday" and "The Wall Street Journal”.Meet Pete Trabucco* As Seen on FOX, CNN, CW Network, MSNBC, TWC and many others!* Roller Coaster and Amusement Park Expert * Expert on Amusement Park Vacations * A True-Blooded Thrill Seeker * Degree in English and Speech Theatre Media from Kean University* Served as Chief of Staff for New Jersey State Assembly from 1989 to 1995* Licensed Private Pilot* Author of many national articles included in Atlantic Flyer Magazine, Flight USA, and many more* Author of “America's Top Roller Coasters and Amusement Parks”www.americasrollercoasters.tateauthor.netTo listen to all our XZBN shows, with our compliments go to: www.spreaker.com/user/xzoneradiotv.The current edition of The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper is available at www.xchronicles.net.This episode of The ‘X' Zone with Rob McConnell is brought to you by BEAUTIFUL MIND COFFEE - For the coffee that your brain will love, visit Beautiful Mind Coffee, www.beautifulmindcoffee.ca. It's Brainalicious!

Tidal Flooding Talk - Feb. 28, 2023 Hosts Dan Skeldon and Palma Shiles wrap up the month of February with Tidal Flooding Talk, recorded Feb. 28 via Facebook live. Together, they look ahead to the weather for March as they are tracking a late-week storm and, potentially, a cold and stormy mid-month. They also discuss new legislation working its way through New Jersey State Assembly to help inform potential homeowners and renters about flood zones before deciding where to live. Tidal Flooding Talk is recorded live via Facebook every Tuesday and presented by the New Jersey Coastal Coalition - a nonprofit organization committed to building more resilient communities at the Jersey Shore. Follow the New Jersey Coastal Coalition on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and subscribe on YouTube and anywhere you get podcasts. Join the conversation online by commenting on the live stream on Facebook and #TidalFloodingTalk

The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Show (11/22/2022) 3:05pm- Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced he will be reopening an investigation into Donald Trump regarding payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels and alleged business fraud. In The Daily Wire, Greg Wilson argues that the numerous investigations into the former president are forms of punishment regardless of conviction. He states: “Prosecutors usually only like to take on cases they know they can win, but it's different when it comes to dirtying up Trump.” 3:30pm- According to The Post Millennial, the Associated Press has fired Jim Laporta—the journalist who falsely reported that a Russian missile had killed multiple people in Poland, a NATO ally.  3:35pm- During today's press conference, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre told a reporter “I'm done with you” after repeatedly telling members of the press that her and Dr. Anthony Fauci would not be answering questions about the origins of COVID-19.  3:45pm- On Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci—director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases—delivered his final message from the White House press podium prior to his scheduled retirement at the end of the year. He used the platform to implore Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19.  4:05pm- In a recent National Review editorial, national affairs reporter John Fund told Democrats to return monetary donations from FTX and its CEO Sam Bankman-Fried. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, FTX executives donated $57 million to Democrat candidates and progressive organizations. Executives of FTX, a now bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange business, are currently under investigation for fraud.  4:20pm- CNN reports that the United States is running low on some weapons and ammunition being used by the Ukrainian military for defense against Russia.  4:35pm- While appearing on Fox News, Senator Tom Cotton said that he believes China, under the leadership of its President Xi Jinping, may attempt to annex Taiwan as soon as next year. 4:40pm- Despite promising to hold Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accountable for the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, President Joe Biden has provided MBS with immunity from a lawsuit filed by Khashoggi's fiancé. Just several days after the administration's decision, OPEC+ announced plans to increase its production of oil. Is it a coincidence? 5:05pm- According to an NJ.com report, the New Jersey State Assembly voted on a measure to limit concealed carry throughout the state.  5:15pm- While appearing on Tom Segura's podcast, filmmaker Quentin Tarantino said there are very few genuine movie stars today—arguing that moviegoers pay to see comic book characters and superheroes, not specific actors. 5:30pm- While speaking from the U.S. Southern Border in Texas, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said if Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas does not resign by the time Republicans take over the House of Representatives on January 3rd, he will be under investigation for border security failures. 5:45pm- On his HBO television show, Bill Maher said that the source of “rot” on the political left stems from woke academia. Why did Harvard and Yale withdraw from the U.S. News Law School Ranking System? The Wall Street Journal editorial board suggests that by rejecting ranking systems, the schools “may be adapting ahead of a Supreme Court ruling on the use of race in admissions” and that this could “serve as a cover for a desire by Yale to be free to admit students with lower test scores in service to diversity.” 6:05pm- While on The View, host Whoopi Goldberg suggested that people should go back to wearing masks when out in public to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and other colds.   6:25pm- The Rich Zeoli Show is preempted for Temple Basketball!

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 3: According to an NJ.com report, the New Jersey State Assembly voted on a measure to limit concealed carry throughout the state. While appearing on Tom Segura's podcast, filmmaker Quentin Tarantino said there are very few genuine movie stars today—arguing that moviegoers pay to see comic book characters and superheroes, not specific actors. While speaking from the U.S. Southern Border in Texas, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said if Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas does not resign by the time Republicans take over the House of Representatives on January 3rd, he will be under investigation for border security failures. On his HBO television show, Bill Maher said that the source of “rot” on the political left stems from woke academia. Why did Harvard and Yale withdraw from the U.S. News Law School Ranking System? The Wall Street Journal editorial board suggests that by rejecting ranking systems, the schools “may be adapting ahead of a Supreme Court ruling on the use of race in admissions” and that this could “serve as a cover for a desire by Yale to be free to admit students with lower test scores in service to diversity.”

Dr. Betsy McCaughey, New York Post columnist, former Lt. Gov. of NY State, Chairwoman and founder of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths. Topic: New research blows hole into argument for vaccine mandates for workers to protect others. Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, Republican Minority Leader of the New Jersey State Assembly. Topic: Victory in the State Senate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Roqayah and Kumars are joined by socialist congressional candidate and political organizer Imani Oakley, formerly legislative director for New Jersey Working Families, deputy chief of staff in the New Jersey State Assembly, and constituent advocate in the US Senate. She is also the first Dean of Movement Building at the Movement School and recently declared her candidacy in New Jersey's 10th congressional district, challenging four-term incumbent Donald Payne Jr. in the June 2022 Democratic primary.  Imani describes the experiences that galvanized her to get involved in policy making at the highest levels of government while pushing her further and further to the left, from witnessing police brutality in her neighborhood to working in the district office of Senator Cory Booker. Imani also talks about her work at Working Families, where she took on New Jersey's wildly corrupt ballot design, protesting the Biden administration's eviction inaction with Cori Bush on the Capitol steps, her vision for housing policy, her opponent's warm relations with ICE, and how she's taking on the notoriously entrenched New Jersey political machine.  You can follow Imani on Twitter @ImaniOakleyNJ10 and donate or find out more about how to get involved in her campaign at oakleyforcongress.com. If you want to support the show and receive access to tons of bonus content, subscribe on our Patreon page for as little as $5 a month. Also, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show on iTunes. We can't do this show without your support!!!

Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, Republican Minority Leader of the New Jersey State Assembly, attorney and the author of “Why People Don't Like You” joins Frank Morano to talk about using humor to disagree civilly, his book & NJ Government. Marlaina Schiavo, veteran media producer, satirist, social critic and COVID survivor visits the studio to discuss  restaurants to require vaccination, Cuomo's sexual harassment report, and more! Plus Stump the Listener with your favorite topics.

Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, Republican Minority Leader of the New Jersey State Assembly, attorney and the author of “Why People Don't Like You” on using humor to disagree civilly, his book & NJ Government.  

Today we celebrate a botanist of the American West and the husband of Kate Brandegee. We'll also learn about the woman who created the legislation for the New Jersey State Flower, the Violet. We hear some words about the role of the botanist from one of our horticultural greats. We Grow That Garden Library™ with a book about transitioning from a beloved garden to something new… this story is special. And then we’ll wrap things up with a touching tribute to a gardener, a public servant, and a nursery owner.   Subscribe Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart To listen to the show while you're at home, just ask Alexa or Google to “Play the latest episode of The Daily Gardener Podcast.” And she will. It's just that easy.   The Daily Gardener Friday Newsletter Sign up for the FREE Friday Newsletter featuring: A personal update from me Garden-related items for your calendar The Grow That Garden Library™ featured books for the week Gardener gift ideas Garden-inspired recipes Exclusive updates regarding the show Plus, each week, one lucky subscriber wins a book from the Grow That Garden Library™ bookshelf.   Gardener Greetings Send your garden pics, stories, birthday wishes, and so forth to Jennifer@theDailyGardener.org   Curated News How Selfish Are Plants? Let’s Do Some Root Analysis | The New York Times | Cara Giaimo   Facebook Group If you'd like to check out my curated news articles and original blog posts for yourself, you're in luck. I share all of it with the Listener Community in the Free Facebook Group - The Daily Gardener Community. So, there’s no need to take notes or search for links. The next time you're on Facebook, search for Daily Gardener Community, where you’d search for a friend... and request to join. I'd love to meet you in the group.   Important Events February 16, 1843 Today is the birthday of the American botanist Townshend Stith Brandegee. Townshend was born into one of America’s oldest and prominent families, and he was the oldest of twelve children. Townshend’s middle name, Stith, was his mother’s maiden name. Townshend was descended from three generations of men named Elishama. Townshend’s great grandfather, Elishama Brandegee I, had fought in the Revolutionary War. By 1778, Elishama bought a pretty piece of land in Berlin, Connecticut, known as the mulberry orchard. The History of Berlin tells a charming story of how Townshend’s great grandmother, Lucy, made a red silk gown with the silk from her silkworms. Apparently, she intended to give the dress to Martha Washington, but somehow she ended up wearing it and keeping it for herself. The Brandegee family continued to grow Mulberry (Morus) trees on the property. In fact, Townshend’s grandfather, Elishama Jr., founded the very first silk and cotton-thread company in Berlin. A successful entrepreneur, Elishama Jr, owned a mercantile store, which was the largest store between Hartford and New Haven, and people came from miles around to do their trading. His grandmother, Lucy, was a teacher and founded a private all-girls seminary, now a private prep school for girls known as the Emma Willard School. Townshend's father, Dr. Elishama Brandegee, became the town physician, and by all reports, he was beloved by all who knew him. Townshend and his dad shared a love of nature, and as a young boy, Townshend created his very own fern collection. Townshend came of age during the Civil War, and somehow he managed to live through two years of service in the union army. After his military service, like his father before him, Townshend attended Yale and graduated from Yale’s Sheffield Scientific School. He forged his own path as a young civil engineer, and he ended up working on much-needed railroad surveys in the American West. In his spare time, both as a student at Yale and as a young engineer, Townshend botanized, and he even made some discoveries and sent specimens to Harvard’s Asa Gray. Townshend’s unique combination of surveying experience and botanical work proved invaluable as he began creating maps of the western forests. In fact, it was his love of forests that brought him to the greatest love of his life: Katherine Layne Curran. When his father died in 1884, Townshend’s inheritance allowed him to pursue his interests without any financial worries. And in the late 1800s, if you were a young botanist with means and interested in West-coast botany, all roads lead to the California Academy of Sciences. In her early forties, Katharine Layne Curran was the curator of the Academy. She had been married to an alcoholic and then widowed in her twenties. She’d survived medical school when females were just breaking into the field of medicine, and she’d given up her career as a physician when it proved too difficult to set up a practice as a woman. By the time she met Townshend, the last thing Katharine had expected to find was love. And yet, these two middle-aged botanical experts did fall in love - “Insanely in love” to use Katharine’s words - and to the surprise of their friends, they married. Kate always referred to Townshend as “Townie.” Equally yoked, Townie and Kate’s happy honeymoon was a 500-mile nature walk - collecting plant specimens from San Diego to San Francisco. After their honeymoon, Townie and Kate moved to San Diego, where they created a herbarium, library, and garden praised as a botanical paradise. In 1899, the jeweler Frederick Arthur Walton, who was reported to have the largest private cactus collection in England, visited Kate and Townie in San Diego. Frederick shared a review of the Brandegee’s spectacular garden in his magazine called The Cactus Journal: “The garden of Mr. and Mrs. Brandegee… [is] a wild garden, being situated upon the mesa, or high land overlooking the sea.  Mr. and Mrs. Brandegee are enthusiastic botanists, and have built a magnificent herbarium, where they spend most of their time. The wild land round the herbarium is full of interesting plants that are growing in a state of nature, while being studied and described in all their various conditions. Mrs. Brandegee has preserved specimens of all the kinds she can get. In some cases where the plants are very rare, I asked how she could so destroy such beauties. She replied that her specimens would be there to refer to at any time, with all its descriptions and particulars, whereas if the plant had been left growing, or sent to some botanical gardens, it would probably have died some time, and all trace have been lost.” Townie and Kate continued botanizing - individually and together. During their lifetime, botanists could travel for free by train, and the Brandegees used these free passes regularly in their travels throughout California, Arizona, and Mexico. On one trip to Mexico, Kate left early, and she managed to survive a shipwreck. The story goes that Townsend asked about the fate of the specimens before asking about Kate. Yet, this anecdote shouldn’t discount their very loving marriage; they were both just maniacally focused on their botanical work. In 1906, when an earthquake destroyed the Berkeley herbarium, the Brandegees single-handedly restored it by donating their entire San Diego botanical library (including many rare volumes) and herbarium of over 80,000 plants. Keeping in mind that Townshend's substantial inheritance had funded all of their botanical efforts, Townie and Kate requested a modest stipend of $100 per month in exchange for their life’s work. Despite years of haggling, Berkeley never agreed to pay the Brandegees a cent for what was the richest private plant collection in the United States. Incredibly, the Brandegees continued to be selfless when it came to Berkely. They followed their plants and books to campus, where Townsend and Kate worked the rest of their lives pro bono. And while Townshend was honored with the title of curator of the herbarium, Kate was not given a title. In the early spring of 1920, a 75-year-old Kate was walking at Berkeley when she fell and broke her shoulder. Three weeks later, she died. On April 7, 1925, five years later - almost to the day - Townshend joined Kate on his final journey.   February 16, 1971 On this day, the New Jersey State Flower, the Violet, was officially adopted by the legislature after a proposal from Josephine S. Margetts. In 1967, when Josephine Margetts was elected to the New Jersey State Assembly in 1967, she became the first woman to represent Morris County, New Jersey, since 1938. Politics was in Josephine’s blood. Her grandfather, a Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice, ran for Governor of Pennsylvania. And Josephine’s late husband, Walter T. Margetts Jr., served as New Jersey’s state treasurer. A nursery and orchard owner, Josephine was environmentally conscious, and she introduced legislation to protect the land and waterways of New Jersey - even helping to ban the use of DDT. Long before Josephine was born, the violet was unofficially selected as the State Flower of New Jersey. By the late 1960s, New Jersey was the only state without legislation supporting an official state flower. And so, with the urging of local garden clubs, Josephine introduced legislation in February of 1971 to make the violet official State Flower of New Jersey. When it came time for Josephine’s bill to be debated in the legislature, Josephine’s peer Sen. Joseph J. Maraziti, R-Morris, read this poem: “Roses are red,  Violets are blue  If you vote for this bill Mrs. Margetts will love you.” Josephine’s legislation was passed 30-1. The sole dissenting vote was Sen. Frank J. Guarini, D-Hudson. He told the press, "I'm a marigold man." Two years later, in 1973, a newspaper called The Record out of Hackensack New Jersey, shared an Op-Ed titled, Consider the Lilies of the Field. “Conventional, chauvinist wisdom would have it that Mrs. Margetts introduced the bill because she's a woman and women are well, you know interested in growing things, flowers and plants and trees, the fruit of the earth. But Mrs. Margetts is not one of your everyday garden club ladies. She studied at the Ambler School of Horticulture, she operates a commercial apple and peach orchard in Pennsylvania, and she has a holly nursery on the grounds of her home in New Vernon. The house on the property is rather substantial for a Jersey farmhouse if memory serves, it has 14 bathrooms, but no matter.” As Josephine no doubt knew, Violets are spring flowers, and they’ve been around for a long time. The ancient Greeks enjoyed violets. If you enjoy floriography ("FLOOR-EE-ah-grah-FEE") or the symbolic meaning of plants, the heart-shaped leaves offer a clue to their meaning: affection, love, faith, and dignity. The color of violets can add another layer of meaning. Blue violets especially symbolize love and devotion. White violets symbolize purity and yellow violets symbolize goodness and high esteem.   Unearthed Words The chief work of the botanist of yesterday was the study and classification of dried, shriveled up mummy's whose souls had fled. They thought their classified species were more fixed and unchangeable than anything in heaven or earth that we can now imagine. We have learned that they are as plastic in our hands as clay in the hands of the potter or color on the artist canvas and can readily be molded into more beautiful forms and colors than any painter or sculptor can ever hope to bring forth. — Luther Burbank, Address to the Pacific States Floral Congress, 1901   Grow That Garden Library Uprooted by Page Dickey This book came out in 2020 (I bought my copy in November), and the subtitle is A Gardener Reflects on Beginning Again. When Margaret Roach reviewed this book, she wrote, "An intimate, lesson-filled story of what happens when one of America’s best-known garden writers transplants herself, rooting into a deeper partnership with nature than ever before." If you’ve ever moved away from a beloved garden, or there is a move in your future, you’ll find Page’s book to be especially appealing. Uprooted is Page’s story about leaving her beloved iconic garden at Duck Hill - a landscape she molded and refined for thirty-four years. Set on 17 acres of rolling fields and woodland, Page’s new property is in northwestern Connecticut, and it surrounds a Methodist Church, which is how Page came to call her new space, Church House. What does it mean to be a seasoned gardener (at the age of 74) and to have to start again? How does a gardener handle the transition from a beloved home to the excitement of new possibilities? Uprooted gives us the chance to follow Page through all the major milestones as she finds her new homeplace. We get to hear about her search for a new place, how she establishes her new garden spaces, and her revelations as she learns to evolve as a gardener. If you’ve ever wondered how on earth you’ll ever leave your garden, Page will give you hope. And, if you’re thinking about revamping an old garden space or starting a new garden, you can learn from Page how to create a garden that will bring you joy. As an accomplished garden writer, Page’s book is a fabulous read, and the photography is top-notch. And although the move from Duck Hill marked a horticultural turning point in her life, Page found herself excited and reenergized by her brand new space at Church House. This book is 244 pages of the evolution of a gardener as she transitions from Duck Hill to Church House with a lifelong love of nature, gardens, and landscape possibilities. You can get a copy of Duck Hill Journal by Page Dickey and support the show using the Amazon Link in today's Show Notes for around $18   Today’s Botanic Spark Reviving the little botanic spark in your heart In researching Josephine Margetts — the woman who created the bill for the State Flower of New Jersey (the Violet), I came across her obituary. When Josephine Margetts died in March of 1989, Fran Wood wrote a touching tribute to her that was featured in The Daily Record out of Morristown, New Jersey: “Snow was falling on the day they remembered Josephine Margetts last week. It was gathering in little drifts on the trees outside her back door, collecting on the glossy leaves of some 15 varieties of holly… The fresh flakes formed in little peaks on the bird feeders just inches away from her breakfast table, covered the glass roof of the greenhouse where lantana, gardenias and scented geraniums had flowered for more winters than anyone could remember and accumulated along the fence rails next to the vegetable garden where she used to raise more produce than her family could eat in a summer. If the loving cultivation of these grounds, the perennials, the flowering shrubs and trees and all those hollies she planted and nurtured had been Mrs. Margetts' only accomplishment, it would have been worth remarking on. For gardening was a successful business as well as a private pleasure for her. Besides operating a licensed holly nursery on her home grounds, she and her family turned out some 10,000 bushels of peaches and apples each year at their Pennsylvania farm. Like all true gardeners, Mrs. Margetts got tremendous satisfaction from planting a seed and watching it grow. She considered herself no less rewarded by those things that grew on their own accord like the tiny white pine seedling that appeared in the middle of a flagstone path one spring. She hadn't the heart to pull it up, she said, and so it grew and grew until it rivaled the height of the tallest hollies and its expanding girth forced strollers to detour around it. Gardening was far from Mrs. Margetts' sole accomplishment, of course, but her inherent appreciation for the beauty of the land and the miracles of nature were at the root of her environmental legacies to New Jersey. As a state assemblywoman, she sponsored New Jersey's first "wetlands" legislation, the Wetlands Act of 1970, aimed at protecting some of our most vulnerable saltwater areas. She also sponsored the Pesticides Control Act, the Municipal Conservation Act, the National Lands Trust and the Appalachian Trail Easement all bills whose goals were the preservation of natural resources. The Environmental Quality Act, which she also sponsored, made it a law for state agencies seeking construction funds to first submit detailed project studies to the state Department of Environmental Protection for approval. She also supported equal opportunity for women long before the word "feminist" was coined. But it was the environment, the beauty of nature, that stirred this farm girl most deeply, and her passion for it didn't lessen even in her last year or so, when the plants nearest to her were Boston ferns, a Christmas cactus and pots of ivy, and the closest she got to the outdoors were the vistas of lawns and gardens and trees seen through the windows of her room. During those months, she kept a small library of books within arm's reach among them Gov. Tom Kean's The Politics of Inclusion, James Herriot's Dog Stories, The Fine Art of Political Wit and several volumes detailing the laws of New Jersey. And, in their midst, were Cam Cavanaugh's Saving the Great Swamp, the Directory of Certified N.J. Nurseries and Plant Dealers, New Jersey: A Photographic Journey, by John Cunningham and Walter Choroszewski and several well-worn (and, no doubt, well-loved) garden books. There was something symbolic about the snow that fell as Josephine Margetts was laid to rest last week. For as it covered the lawns and shrubs and gardens she knew and loved, it also blanketed every square inch of the state she knew and loved and whose natural beauty and precious resources she worked so devotedly to preserve.”   Thanks for listening to The Daily Gardener. And remember: "For a happy, healthy life, garden every day."

Riding a roller coaster has its own level of fright—no matter how much you enjoy them—but you can take that fright to a whole new level come Halloween season. Just about every amusement park in the country has its own version of a frightful adventure.Amusement Park Expert Pete Trabucco uses the expertise from his book "America's Top Roller Coasters and Amusement Parks", to break down all the details for the scariest parks for Halloween in 2016. Pete is available to answer the following questions:* With this year's holiday coming up, which parks are offering up the best scares?* What parks seems to be the scariest for the season?* Is Halloween a popular season for amusement parks?* What are your overall thoughts of these parks and the specifications?* What made you an expert in roller coasters and amusement parks? Pete Trabucco has appeared on over 1200 radio and television shows (including Fox News Channel, MSNBC, Bloomberg Television, The CW network, CNN The Weather Channel and the Travel Channel, to name just a few) around the country. Pete is currently averaging around a dozen appearances per month. Most recently, he was featured in New York's own "Newsday" and "The Wall Street Journal”.Meet Pete Trabucco* As Seen on FOX, CNN, CW Network, MSNBC, TWC and many others!* Roller Coaster and Amusement Park Expert * Expert on Amusement Park Vacations * A True-Blooded Thrill Seeker * Degree in English and Speech Theatre Media from Kean University* Served as Chief of Staff for New Jersey State Assembly from 1989 to 1995* Licensed Private Pilot* Author of many national articles included in Atlantic Flyer Magazine, Flight USA, and many more* Author of “America's Top Roller Coasters and Amusement Parks” www.americasrollercoasters.tateauthor.net

Inspired by trailblazer Shirley Chisholm, New Jersey’s Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver has become a powerful and inspirational leader in her own right and has already left a mark that will last for generations. Sheila Oliver has always been inspired by the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress. She was particularly motivated by a simple but memorable remark that Congresswoman Chisholm made in one of her speeches: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, then bring a folding chair.” Sheila Oliver has brought several folding chairs during her long and successful career in public service. She started her career as the director of a private nonprofit in Newark, became the president of her local board of education and then was elected a county commissioner. Later, she was the first woman to launch a competitive campaign for mayor of East Orange, N.J., but ended up losing by just 51 votes. “I began to connect the dots about how important it was to encourage people to vote because many people in my town said, ‘Oh, I just knew that was a slam dunk for you. I didn't even vote yesterday,’” Oliver said. She went on to successfully serve in the state Legislature for 16 years. When Oliver was unanimously elected to be the 169th speaker of the New Jersey State Assembly in 2009, she was the first Black woman to hold the position in the state's history. Her election also made her the second Black woman in the nation to lead a state legislative house. Several years later when she served as the lieutenant governor for New Jersey, she became the fourth Black woman in the nation to do so, the first as a Democrat. But her time in public service has not always been easy, especially during the coronavirus pandemic as New Jersey ranked No. 2 among states with COVID-19 cases for many months. Even as the numbers appear to be decreasing, the state still must be cautious about its reopening guidelines for the health and safety of its residents. “We're still on guard,” explained Oliver. “We don't feel quite comfortable that we're beyond it yet. And all of the epidemiologists that we consult with tell us that we are probably going to experience a surge in November.” Listen to the “In The Arena” episode with Sheila Oliver to hear more about her inspirations and achievements, her aspiration to laugh every day and New Jersey’s response to the death of George Floyd. Learn more and subscribe for free to In The Arena at www.governing.com/ITA

Joseph diGenova, former U.S. Attorney for the District of ColumbiaTopic: Senate approval of subpoenas for FBI probe Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, Republican Minority Leader of the New Jersey State Assembly and host of "Why People Don't Like You," heard every Sunday at 8 p.m. on AM 970 The AnswerTopic: Phil Murphy's millionaire taxSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arthur Aidala, former Brooklyn prosecutor and star criminal defense attorneyTopic: Indoor dining lawsuit against NY Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, Republican Minority Leader of the New Jersey State Assembly and host of "Why People Don't Like You," heard every Sunday at 8 p.m. on AM 970 The AnswerTopic: Indoor dining re-opening in New JerseySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jack Brewer, Former NFL safetyTopic: RNC speech, Pro-athletes boycotting sporting events over Jacob Blake shooting Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, Republican minority leader of the New Jersey State Assembly & host of "Why People Don't Like You," heard every Sunday at 8 p.m. on AM 970 The AnswerTopic: Phil Murphy's budget, gyms re-opening in NJSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arthur Aidala, former Brooklyn prosecutor and star criminal defense attorneyTopic: Steve Bannon indictment, ruling on Trump's tax returns Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, Republican minority leader of the New Jersey State Assembly and host of "Why People Don't Like You," debuting on AM 970 The Answer on August 28Topic: his all-new radio show, New Jersey mail-in voting Mike Gallagher, radio talk show host heard every morning at 10 a.m. on AM 970 The AnswerTopic: DNC convention, upcoming RNC conventionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, Republican Minority Leader of the New Jersey State Assembly. Topic: Call for a special legislative session to avoid power outages. Cliff Cole, spokesman for JCP&L. Topic: Power outages from Isaias.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, Republican Minority Leader of the New Jersey State Assembly. Topic: Bill Stepien takes Brad Parscale's place as Trump 2020 campaign manager Jeffrey Lyons, the world's greatest film critic. Topic: Movies to watch. Mike Gallagher, radio talk show host, heard every morning at 10 on AM 970 The Answer. Topic: Show preview.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, Republican Minority Leader of the New Jersey State Assembly. Topic: NJ Motor Vehicle Commission Nan Haywoth, M.D, Former Congresswoman for New York's 19th Congressional District. Topic: COVID-19, crime in New YorkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Check out our podcast to hear Bill's interview with Pete Trabucco, author, pilot, thrill-seeker, and renewable energy enthusiast!Pete has appeared on over 2000 radio and television shows (including Fox News Channel, MSNBC, Bloomberg Television, The CW network, CNN The Weather Channel and the Travel Channel, to name just a few)Most recently, he was featured on the Weather Channel, CBS Channel 2 News in New York, The Travel Channel, and the Jim Bohannon Syndicated Radio Program.The interview was great fun and it was very interesting to learn how Pete transformed his love of roller coasters into a fast-paced career which includes being a TV Host as well as Chief of Staff for the New Jersey State Assembly.If you want a fun read, pick up a copy of Pete's book, "A Personal Guide to the Best Thrill Rides and Amusement/Water Parks"Thanks, Pete... Ride on, write on, and continue to have fun!Support the show (https://solar-fit.com/contact-us/)

John Wisniewski served in the New Jersey State Assembly from 1996-2018. He was a Democratic Party candidate for governor in 2017 and led the investigation into the Bridgegate scandal in which aides to then Governor Chris Christie closed several lanes of the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, NJ in retaliation for the mayor's refusal to endorse the governor for reelection. He completely disagrees with The Supreme Court's recent Bridgegate ruling could be the opening to overturn former Trump aide Michael Flynn's corruption case and, in the view of the man who led the Bridgegate investigation, open the door for more legalized corruption.  "What the Bridgegate ruling makes clear is that anti-corruption laws no longer function," says former NJ State Assemblyman and attorney John Wisniewski ."In short it says corruption is not corruption if nothing material is exchanged in return." Which is exactly the legal rationale used to clear Senator Menendez of corruption charges. What's good for the red elephant isn't always good for the blue donkey.  Lawyers for the president are already talking about how the Bridgegate ruling can and should exonerate Flynn. Wisniewski believes that conservative and liberal leaning justices appear united in the belief that the courts should no longer be in the business of holding government officials to account for violating the public trust.  So how could the Bridgegate case and the Flynn case mean Michael Flynn, and future administration officials, can operate with impunity? 

John Wisniewski served in the New Jersey State Assembly from 1996-2018. He was a Democratic Party candidate for governor in 2017 and led the investigation into the Bridgegate scandal in which aides to then Governor Chris Christie closed several lanes of the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, NJ in retaliation for the mayor's refusal to endorse the governor for reelection. He completely disagrees with The Supreme Court's recent Bridgegate ruling could be the opening to overturn former Trump aide Michael Flynn's corruption case and, in the view of the man who led the Bridgegate investigation, open the door for more legalized corruption.  "What the Bridgegate ruling makes clear is that anti-corruption laws no longer function," says former NJ State Assemblyman and attorney John Wisniewski ."In short it says corruption is not corruption if nothing material is exchanged in return." Which is exactly the legal rationale used to clear Senator Menendez of corruption charges. What's good for the red elephant isn't always good for the blue donkey.  Lawyers for the president are already talking about how the Bridgegate ruling can and should exonerate Flynn. Wisniewski believes that conservative and liberal leaning justices appear united in the belief that the courts should no longer be in the business of holding government officials to account for violating the public trust.  So how could the Bridgegate case and the Flynn case mean Michael Flynn, and future administration officials, can operate with impunity? 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dan Benson was elected to the New Jersey State Assembly in 2011, but his career in politics began right after college. Listen as Dan talks about what motivated him to run the first time, how he reacted to losing, the challenges of running, and what he wants to accomplish in the Assembly in the months and years to come. Plus, Dan breaks news on whether he is running for President in 2020!   Listen, share, subscribe now and make a decision on whether you will run for office too. 

Meet Pete Trabucco * As Seen on FOX, CNN, CW Network, MSNBC, TWC and many others! * Roller Coaster and Amusement Park Expert * Expert on Amusement Park Vacations * A True-Blooded Thrill Seeker * Degree in English and Speech Theatre Media from Kean University * Served as Chief of Staff for New Jersey State Assembly from 1989 to 1995 * Licensed Private Pilot * Author of many national articles included in Atlantic Flyer Magazine, Flight USA, and many more * Author of “America's Top Roller Coasters and Amusement Parks” & A Personal Guide to the Best Thrill Rides and Amusement/Water Parks

Meet Pete Trabucco: * As Seen on FOX, CNN, CW Network, MSNBC, and many others! * Roller Coaster and Amusement Park Expert * Expert on Amusement Park Vacations * A True-Blooded Thrill Seeker * Degree in English and Speech Theatre Media from Kean University * Served as Chief of Staff for New Jersey State Assembly from 1989 to 1995 * Licensed Private Pilot * Author of many national articles included in Atlantic Flyer Magazine, Flight USA, and many more * Author of â??America's Top Roller Coasters and Amusement Parksâ??

The former deputy speaker of the New Jersey State Assembly, a diehard Democrat, and a prominent New Jersey Republican businessman are on a bipartisan campaign to get more private businesses to give their employees partial ownership of their companies. As Upendra Chivukula and Veny Musim view it, the only way to save capitalism is to exponentially increase the number of capitalists. Their new book, The 3rd Way, spells out the argument and backs it up with substantial empirical evidence. This week on Monday Morning Radio, Democrat and Republican make their joint case for employee-owned businesses. Upendra and Veny are interviewed by reputation coach and host, Dean Rotbart.  As an added bonus this week, be sure to stay tuned following Dean’s interview to hear a short excerpt from Martin’s Business Milestones’ interview with the incomparable Eddie Gossage, president of the Texas Motor Speedway. TMS is celebrating its 20th Milestone Anniversary this year and will be featured soon at www.MartinsBusinessMilestones.com. Monday Morning Radio listeners get a sneak peak of Eddie’s interview with Dr. Charles W. Martin, founder of Martin’s Business Milestones, a new website created to celebrate and support entrepreneurs. Dean serves as Editor-in-Chief of MBM. Top Photo: Upendra Chivukula, The 3rd WayBottom Photo: Eddie Gossage, Texas Motor Speedway Posted: March 21, 2016 Monday Morning Run Time: 28 minutes 33 seconds Want to learn how to turbocharge your personal or business reputation? Schedule a 30-minute FREE phone consultation with reputation coach and Monday Morning Radio host Dean Rotbart: 1-303-296-1200. Limited slots now booking for April and May 2016. 

Cranford is represented in the New Jersey State Assembly by two legislators, Jon Bramnick and Nancy Muñoz. Assemblywoman Muñoz has represented the district since May 2009, assuming the seat held by her late husband, Dr. Eric Muñoz. Cranford Radio had an opportunity to sit down with the Assemblywoman in her Summit district office and asked her to tell our listeners a little about herself.

The Invocation given by Dr. M.G. Prasad at the opening of the New Jersey State Assembly on Monday, May 19, 2008 at the New Jersey State House. 

Leadership New Jersey's goal is to expand and improve the pool of the state's civic leaders. The program, founded in 1986, honors men and women who combine a successful career with leadership in serving their communities. As part of its programming, Leadership New Jersey sponsors the Forum on the Future of New Jersey, an annual conference devoted to dealing with the key issues facing New Jersey. This year, in conjunction with the Forum, Leadership New Jersey is pleased to introduce podcasts from the Forum. In this podcast, Diane Brake, president of the Regional Planning Partnership, LNJ '90, hosts a panel discussion of the Report Card on New Jersey with the following panelists: Diane Brake Upendra J. Chivukula, LNJ '98 Assemblyman, NJ General Assembly A longtime Franklin Township resident and former Mayor, Assemblyman Chivukula is the first Asian Indian American ever elected to the New Jersey State Assembly. Currently serving his second term, the Assemblyman serves as Vice Chair for the Commerce and Economic Development and as a member of the Telecommunications and Utilities, and Transportation Committee. Jun Choi, LNJ '03 Mayor, Township of Edison Prior to becoming Mayor, Jun worked on education policy as Executive Director of a Student Achievement Task Force at the New Jersey Department of Education. Earning a master's degree from Columbia University, the Mayor has also worked for the US Office of Management and Budget, as well as co-founding a leadership development and education organization. Elizabeth N. Johnson, LNJ '94 Chief Operating Officer, Isles, Inc. Elizabeth has worked for Isles, Inc., a community development and environmental non-profit organization, for 10 years. She has also held the positions of Senior Fellow at the Watson Institute for Public Policy at Thomas Edison State College and Director of the Department of Recreation,Natural Resources, and Culture for the city of Trenton. Carla A. Katz President, CWA Local 1034 Carla heads the Communication Workers of America Local 1034, which represents more than 16,000 union members in New Jersey in both the public and private sector, making it the largest CWA local in the country. Download the podcast here (52.8 mb mono MP3 file, 57:44 duration).