Friday Funnies...

Time for your weekly dose of Calvin & Hobbes...

Have a great day everyone!

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Story Update...

The next chapter of New Beginnings has been posted.

Enjoy, and we're almost to the end of this tale. 

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Throwback Thursday...

I think I'm just going to post some random favorites today, okay?

Have a great day everyone!

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Wayback Wednesday...

No, I didn't forget....

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Jon Bon at Joseph's House Shelter...

Jon Bon Jovi, Camden officials, open Joseph's House shelter

 

CAMDEN — Michael Reider of Blackwood was an auto mechanic for nearly 30 years.
He also collected and cashed in scrap metal.

“Scraping sometimes leads to stealing,” Reider said. “Most places we had permission to take scrap metal, but some places we weren’t cleared to be there.”

Reider was arrested and charged with third-degree theft and unlawful taking, and housed in the Salem County Correctional Facility for six months.

“I served my time, and when I came out, I found myself in a homeless position,” he said, standing outside of Joseph’s House of Camden, a new 75-bed homeless shelter on Atlantic Avenue.
Reider has been spending his nights at Joseph’s House since March 4.

“This is a truly needed service for the people of Camden,” he said. “What a blessing this place is.”
Though Joseph’s House of Camden opened its doors to those in need in late January, the shelter celebrated its grand opening April 1.

“When Jesus was born, they couldn’t find a home for him,” said Monsignor Robert McDermott, pastor at St. Joseph’s Pro-Cathedral. “A homeless shelter is a place for people without a home to come to.”

Partially funded by the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, Joseph’s House holds a special place in Jon Bon Jovi’s heart.

“Today I feel a little more alive,” Bon Jovi said at the grand opening celebration. “Just being here makes me feel like we’re participating in life.”

"Jamaica," a regular guest at Joseph’s House, shared part of his life story and how he ended up at the shelter.

“Homelessness is a challenge that has existed for a long time, and will exist for a much longer time,” Jamaica said.

Jamaica said he has dealt with homelessness twice in his lifetime, the most recent culminating with a tragic accident on Oct. 23.

“On Oct. 2, I had a heart attack at work and was hospitalized. I was removed from work for two weeks,” he said.

Once out of the hospital and recovering, Jamaica was at a train station headed to New York on Oct. 23 when he passed out, fell onto the train tracks and was run over by the train, losing both legs in the accident.

“One day I was employed and functioning, the next day I was unemployed and a double amputee,” Jamaica said.

The doors at Joseph’s House open every day at 9 p.m.

“They leave at 9 a.m. unless they are staying to see a provider,” said John Klein, executive director at Joseph’s House.

In addition to providing shelter to those in need, Joseph’s House connects homeless people with local social service providers who can offer more permanent solutions to homelessness, including veterans services, connection to benefits, counseling services, job and housing referrals, and medical and prenatal care.

“We hope to get to a point where the guests trust us so we can build a rapport with them and we can help them one person, one connection at a time,” Klein said.

Bon Jovi said Joseph’s House is filling a gap in homeless services which has already been witnessed by the high volume of homeless people who have utilized the shelter.

“This is a testament of what can happen when we put the power of ‘we’ to work,” he said.
Joseph’s House is located at 555 Atlantic Ave., in Camden.

For more information, visit www.josephshouseofcamden.org.

source

And here are a few more pictures...

And no, you're eyes are not deceiving you.  Jon really is that gray...

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Jon Bon and KOS to play Hard Rock Hotel Opening...

Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya To Host Official Two-Day Grand Opening Event

 

All Inclusive Collection proudly announces the official Grand Opening event for the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya. Guests, celebrities and VIPs will take part in the ultimate debut, May 4 & 5, 2014, including an exclusive evening performance by Jon Bon Jovi and The Kings of Suburbia and an all-access pass to experience Hard Rock Hotel's unparalleled, all-inclusive amenities, music and memorabilia.

"As the fourth addition to the All Inclusive Collection of Hard Rock Hotels, we're thrilled to host what is sure to be an event to remember with the upcoming Grand Opening celebration," said Rafael Chapur, chief operating officer of All Inclusive Collection. "With Hard Rock's signature vibe and All Inclusive Collection's unmatched guest services, Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya offers a vacation experience unlike any other."

The Grand Opening event will kick off on May 4, 2014 with a star-studded Red Carpet, Hard Rock's signature Guitar Smash and a live concert performance by Jon Bon Jovi and his New Jersey side band. The Kings of Suburbia that will be exclusive to hotel and Grand Opening VIP guests. Following the show, there will be a VIP After Party at the brand new Club Heaven hosted by renowned DJ Connor Cruise. The last day of the event, May 5, will include an exclusive press conference followed by a high-energy pool party hosted by DJ Jack Novak.

"We have thoroughly enjoyed our collaboration with All Inclusive Collection and look forward to opening the newest property in Riviera Maya," said John Galloway, chief marketing officer of Hard Rock International. "We're certain Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya will exceed expectations and All Inclusive Collection will continue to bring incredible value to our brand."

Located just off the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea, Hard RockHotel Riviera Maya offers the ultimate vacation for guests of all ages with both the adults-only and family friendly resort experiences. With a combined 1,264 ultra-poshand lavishly appointed guestrooms boasting balcony,terrace views or new, expansive sky terrace options with picturesque views, hydrotubs in each room, world-class shopping, endless style and the largest celebrity-branded Rock Star Suite in the Hard Rock International collection designed by legendary singer Bret Michaels, Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya is nothing short of the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Complete with expansive outdoor pools and private beach, this all-inclusive escape offers nine world-class restaurants, eight bars and lounges, in addition to 88,915 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting and event space ideal for elegant banquets, themed parties, weddings, concerts and more. Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya offers several youth-friendly components including HIT Entertainment's Little Big Club, Teens Lounge & Club, snorkeling and kayaking for an unparalleled adventure. In addition, the "resort within the resort,"adults-only section Heaven, includes the Hard Rock signature Rock Spawith 75 treatment rooms, four restaurants and three sophisticated bars and lounges, including a premium service nightclub.

source

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Can Do Awards...

Stars Set To Attend Food Bank For New York City's Can Do Awards

March 21, 2014

 

Food Bank For New York City's Can Do Awards Dinner Gala will take place on Wednesday, April 9, and it looks set to be a star-studded affair.

The Can Do Awards Dinner is the premiere Food Bank For New York City event that helps support the nearly 1.5 million New Yorkers who rely on our programs and services to put food on the table. Highlights of the evening include a cocktail reception beginning at 6 p.m. followed by dinner, live and silent auction, awards presentation, and a special musical performance. The evening will be presented by Bank of America.

The evening will be hosted by Cat Greenleaf and will feature appearances by Honorary Chairs Mario Batali & Susan Cahn; Event Chairs Jodisue Rosen Feldman & Scott R. Feldman; Food Bank CEO Margarette Purvis and Honoree Dorothea Bongiovi.

Other guests expected to attend include: Jon Bon Jovi, Mariska Hargitay, Rachael Ray, Tom Colicchio, Lori Silverbush, Ted Allen, Lauren Bush Lauren, Sandra Lee, Jill Hennessy, David Chang, Katie Lee, Marisa May, Kelly Bensimon, Mary Giuliani, Phillip Baltz, Susan Ungaro, and Rene & Susie Lopez.

The event will take place at Cipriani Wall Street in NYC. Find out more here.

source


*Did you notice who this year's honoree is?  Just how proud do you think Jon is?  I can't hardly wait to see the pictures from this event.  He'll be grinning from ear to ear, don't you think?

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