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Articles by Jenna Moldaver
Lessons & Literature: “Anxious People” tells an unlikely story of connection
How a book about a bank robber and a hostage drama made me rethink our COVID-19 era lives. Jenna Moldaver, Columnist October 4, 2020 (Photo courtesy Jenna Moldaver) I picked “Anxious People” by Fredrik Bachman out of five September options through Book of the Month, a book subscription service I use with my friend from home. Every month, I receive a blue box, a bookmark and a hardcover copy of whatever commercial fiction option I selected from the new releases the service provides.
How College Students Can Make the Most of a Challenging Semester
Updated on August 10, 2020 at 2:30 PM EDT. I watched my last pink Scandinavian sunrise on March 10, 2020, the day I flew home from Stockholm to New Jersey. It was almost the exact mid-point of my second-semester junior year of study abroad. At the time, I resented the COVID-19 pandemic for how much it inconvenienced me, for pushing me across continents, for cutting short the most meaningful learning experience of my college career. Disaster interrupted so many of the things I wanted to do.
Want to Get Outside? 6 Low-Risk Activities to Try
Updated on July 28, 2020 at 2:00 PM EDT. With summer in full swing but new cases of COVID-19 resurging in many parts of the country, Americans are looking for safe ways to stay active outdoors. If you’re going stir crazy in the heat but the beach or swimming pool aren’t options for you, here are some other ways to get outside to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Know before you go Being outside is preferable to spending time indoors with people outside your family.
“There There” creates a space for the contemporary Native perspective lacking in popular culture and discourse
Tommy Orange’s Pulitzer-winning novel tells an important story of modern Native people who are often erased and inappropriately represented. Jenna Moldaver, Columnist July 16, 2020 Jenna Moldaver Quickly, too quickly, my barely-worn blue hiking boots slip on the earth. In an instant, their matte blue is covered in orange mud, the color of a sacred copper river in the mountains of Cotacachi, Ecuador.
Lessons and Literature: We need to redefine “classic” literature
In order to become allies to the Black Lives Matter movement, we need to read Black authors Jenna Moldaver, Columnist June 6, 2020 Jenna Moldaver Fitzgerald. Austen. Vonnegut. Hemingway. Shakespeare. Orwell. Salinger. Bradbury. These are the authors whose works I was required to read in high school. The voices who comprise the Western literary canon as most students are taught it. The representatives of classic literature. The messengers of the wisdom we are supposed to gain from books.
Lessons & Literature: “Why Fish Don’t Exist” is the perfect read to get you through this pandemic
Why this genre-bending book will inspire you to look at chaos differently Jenna Moldaver, Columnist May 19, 2020 Jenna Moldaver Welcome to my column! My name is Jenna, and I’ll be covering all things books in my column, Lessons & Literature, this year. I’ll be using this space to reflect on my latest reads, offer recommendations and explore the role literature plays in my life and college experience. I’ll be reviewing books that taught me something, whether in an academic sense or a personal one.
At High Tech, the Future of Science is Female
Snacks with Scientists attendees Skyped with former High Technology High School student Kat Mendryk, a marine biologist at the Georgia Aquarium. Girls also heard from presenters in person at the Friday, Oct. 18 event. Photo by Allison Perrine By Allison Perrine | aperrine@tworivertimes.com MIDDLETOWN – Seventh- and eighth-grade girls from Monmouth County enjoyed an afternoon of snacks and discussions at High Technology High School Oct. 18.
The Tradition of the North Shore Swim League Continues
By Grant Playter The North Shore Swim League is underway at seven area beach clubs. Photo by Jenna Moldaver As summer dawns, so do the preparations for the North Shore Swim League, a four-week round-robin tournament featuring youth swimmers from across the state that began July 9.
NJ Rejects Pipeline Project; Company Quickly Reapplies
By Philip Sean Curran Pipeline company Williams Transcontinental moved quickly to try again to get permission from environmental regulators in New York and New Jersey to lay a new offshore natural gas pipeline to connect both states, including through a section of Raritan Bay. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection this month denied a series of water quality permits the company had applied for – including a wetlands permit – for the project.
The Sounds of Summer
By Chris Rotolo Bruce Springsteen seen hear appearing at the 2014 Light of Day Festival in Asbury Park’s Paramount Theater, where he was backed by Joe Gruscheky and the House Rockers. Photo by Chris Rotolo Music is ubiquitous in the summer, underscoring our days by the pool, at the beach and driving with the top down. Here is an eclectic mix of artists, albums and singles to consider adding to your summer music playlist.
Budding Rumson Star Comes to the Basie
By Mary Ann Bourbeau RED BANK – Alexandra Bradley is a swing performer in the national tour of “The Sound of Music.” As a swing, she performs two different roles in the ensemble, filling in whenever another actor is out. The 9-year-old Rumson resident plays Gretl and Marta von Trapp, which means she is responsible for learning the dialogue, songs, staging and choreography for both roles. A swing is one of the most difficult jobs in the theater.
Freeholders Focus on Addiction, Affordable Housing
Former Hazlet Township mayor Susan M. Kiley was sworn into a full term at the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders reorganization meeting. Photo by Chris Rotolo By Chris Rotolo FREEHOLD – A focus on health and housing is on the to-do list of newly elected county freeholders Susan M. Kiley and Gerry P. Scharfenberger, sworn into duty at the Jan. 3 reorganization meeting of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Art Created by Survivors of Domestic Violence Adds New Exhibit Locations in Monmouth County
RED BANK– Art created by women and children who are survivors of domestic violence, with the guidance of Middletown-based art therapists, will soon be on display at two Brookdale Community College campuses. The artwork, created at the Amanda’s Easel Creative Arts therapy program, will be on display at Brookdale’s Hazlet site from Dec. 3-13 and at the college’s Wall location from Jan. 22- Feb. 1, according to Cindi Westendorf, Amanda’s Easel program coordinator.
Storied Red Bank Theater Takes New Name
RED BANK – The rumble and hum of construction equipment on site is an illustration of the $27 million renovation and expansion initiative reshaping the Count Basie Center for the Arts (CBCA). The concrete foundation and skeletal framework of the facility’s forthcoming wing could potentially double the amount of square footage dedicated to performance spaces, educational centers and cultural offerings on the expanding campus.
River News: Storm Surge Solutions, Surf Contest, Submarine Inventor
Following months of public pushback, the U.S Army Corps of Engineers announced it would extend the timeline of its proposed plan to construct a storm surge barrier of steel and concrete that would stretch across the entrance to the New York Harbor from Breezy Point to Sandy Hook.
With only a 24-hour warning, Atmalogy on West End Avenue closed indefinitely. The cafe’s owner, Heather Riney, posted an Instagram announcement on Oct. 13 to officially notify customers of its final day on Oct. 14. Riney expressed her personal sentiments in the announcement. “I am & will always be grateful for this journey, grateful for every single person and experience I’ve encountered because of this place,” Riney said. The shop was known for its six themed spaces, each with a distinct vibe.
The Open Mind Series, hosted by the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries, will return next week with a discussion on the changing roles of higher education and journalism in disseminating information. The event, called “Informed Citizenship and the Economics of Information,” will feature a panel of three speakers who will explore the challenges facing these institutions in reclaiming authority in a world of constantly accessible information.
In Highlands, Detox Center’s Proposed Site Prompts Questions
HIGHLANDS – A hearing for a detoxification center proposed for construction in the borough’s central business district was almost halted before it even got started. During a Sept. 6 meeting of Highlands’ Land Use Board, alternate board member Christian Lee presented an amendment to a borough ordinance adopted Sept.
Mid-Atlantic Data Portal Offers Maps and Resources for Ocean Planning
POINT PLEASANT – The Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal is a publicly available online tool that consolidates data and provides visual representations of ocean resources. It can be accessed at portal.midatlanticocean.org. The mapping and visualization technology is available for free use in the five mid-Atlantic states, from New York in the north to Virginia in the south. The portal includes data in 12 categories, including marine life, recreation, oceanography, renewable energy and fishing.
Clamming Around at Highlands ClamFest 2018
HIGHLANDS – Clam lovers gathered August 2-5 at Huddy Park for the annual Clam Fest, a festive event honoring the humble bivalve mollusk that tastes great chopped for chowder, baked in a stuffed shell, steamed in broth or tossed with garlic and olive oil in linguine. On Sunday, Sean Douty of Red Bank won the clam- shucking competition. The all-you-can-eat clam contest winners were Mark Brenner of West New York, Robert Herald of Highlands and Timothy Ebner of Asbury Park.
Summer Fun at the Monmouth County Fair
FREEHOLD – The 44th annual Monmouth County Fair was held last week at the East Freehold Showgrounds. It featured live music, a variety of exhibits, food and the popular Monmouth County 4-H Club livestock, poultry and herpetology show, demonstrations and performances. Locally produced goods were also given the spotlight.
Academy Camps Introduce Middle School Students To STEM Fields
As the school year ends, young students look forward to the summer months ahead that promise to hold endless sunshine and time with friends. For many of these students, summertime marks the end of school days and the start of camp days filled with waterslides, ice cream, sports and outdoor games. In many local schools, however, camp has taken on a new meaning. At Biotechnology High School (BTHS), camp isn’t water gun fights and face painting; it’s gel electrophoresis and DNA fingerprinting.
Restaurant Owner McLoone Takes A Stand Against Straws
SEA BRIGHT – One of New Jersey’s most prominent restaurateurs is joining the fight against throw-away plastics. Tim McLoone, the owner of 11 shore-area dining establishments, has pledged to stop offering plastic straws to his customers, save for use by individuals with special needs and children. Any other customers who request a straw with their beverage will be offered a paper version.
Sea Bright Seeks Project Grants For Rooney Park And River Access
SEA BRIGHT – The borough is looking to fix up a water front park and improve river access opportunities. At a special meeting July 17, officials announced they are seeking an Open Space Grant from Monmouth County for the restoration of Swing Bridge Park, as well as a state Community Development Block Grant for the construction of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant public access platforms along the bulkheads constructed at the ends of Osborne Place and Center and Beach streets.
Photo Gallery: WhatSUP Paddleboard Race on the Navesink
RUMSON – The fourth annual WhatSUP Paddle Board race on the Navesink River was held Saturday, July 21 to benefit emergency services at the Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center. Since Kari and Vic Rallo, pictured bottom right flanking Ann Unterberg, first organized the stand-up paddle race, the event has raised $305,000 to benefit the lives of children. The race was split into a 1-mile course and 5-mile course.
New Law Bans Smoking on Public Beaches
SEA BRIGHT – Melissa D’Anna was never a fan of smoking on the beach. And that was before she recently stepped on two lit cigarettes while giving surfing lessons in Long Branch. “It’s just a nuisance,” said D’Anna, the owner of Lucky Dog Surf Co. in downtown Sea Bright. “If you want to hurt yourself and your life, it’s your choice. But do it elsewhere.” D’Anna is just one of the many Two River-area residents who applauded a new state law signed by Gov.
Oceanic Bridge Replacement Plan Slows
RUMSON – Residents in the borough and Middletown will have to wait longer for the eventual replacement of the Oceanic Bridge. County officials were hoping to receive word on a preferred design choice this spring but red tape has slowed that down. A navigational impact report prepared by Monmouth County was submitted to the United States Coast Guard last fall to seek guidance for vertical clearances on new bridge options, said Monmouth County Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone.
5-Mile Sea Gate Proposed From Sandy Hook to Breezy Point
SANDY HOOK – Since Super Storm Sandy made landfall and ravaged the East Coast in 2012, federal and state agencies have been busy crafting future storm mitigation plans for the New York/New Jersey harbor. Earlier this month, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced six options to protect communities inside that 2,150-plus-square-mile area from any future violent storms.
Ocean port Community Comes Together To Meet Kortney’s Challenge
OCEANPORT – Every August the community gathers for a big race at Monmouth Park Racetrack, but it’s not the Haskell Invitational that draws this crowd. The Kortney’s Challenge 2-Mile Fun Walk Run is sneakers on pavement instead of hooves on dirt, and it’s all about raising money to fund pediatric brain cancer research.
Oceanport - Surprising History and Bright Future
OCEANPORT – Ask New Jerseyans about Oceanport and most will mention Monmouth Racetrack or Fort Monmouth. Fair enough, since these well-known spots have important legacies in the 3-square-mile borough. But ask how the town on the South Shrewsbury River got its name and even many of its 6,000 residents might give you a quizzical look. Thanks to Oceanport resident Frank Barricelli we’ll all be able to read about the town’s substantial maritime history.
Oceanport’s New Municipal Complex On Fort Set For 2019
OCEANPORT – By the end of 2019, borough officials believe Oceanport will have its brand new municipal complex fully operational on the grounds of Fort Monmouth. A left-hand turn off Saltzman Avenue onto Murphy Drive takes visitors over the Oceanport Creek and to three adjacent buildings on the left side of the throughway, which will serve as the new police headquarters, borough hall and community center.
Oceanport Pizzeria Reopens After Fire
It was the Friday night before the legendary 2015 Haskell Invitational weekend, the one at which American Pharoah was expected. The staff of Enzo’s Deli & Pizza were at Monmouth Park Racetrack to serve food for a fundraiser to benefit disabled jockeys. Just a few blocks away, as the fundraiser was wrapping up, a fire broke out near their restaurant at 281 E. Main St. The fire, which also affected a nail salon and the adjacent post office, left significant damage.
Young Swimmers Dive Into North Shore Swim League’s Summer Season
The meet commenced with the singing of the national anthem by Ship Ahoy’s swimmer Ryan Rawlins, 9, from Fair Haven. Listening from decks above, the audience of parents, family and friends erupted in applause for the unassuming young swimmer with a power ful voice. With that, swimmers and their coaches formed lines behind the starting blocks with the anticipation and energy that precedes a new season ripe with possibility and opportunity.
Rumson Pond To Become an Outdoor Classroom
The Board and borough are currently working with a consulting engineer to obtain permits from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to begin the dredging project. They plan to submit their plans for review by the beginning of August. As the NJDEP typically takes 90 to 100 days to review a project, the hope is the project receives approval by the end of 2018. The project will then be put out for public bid.
Serving the Community Through Crochet
Two and a half years ago, Loch Arbor resident Stacy Needle began crocheting soap sacks on the beach to donate to local homeless shelters. 7,000 sacks later, Needle’s creation has made its way not just across Monmouth County, but across the world. The design is simple. Each soap sack is made of cotton yarn and is 4 by 6 six inches, the perfect size to hold a standard bar of soap. A paper tag with a short message is attached to each one, giving the donation a more personal feel.
Surging Opposition Defeats Contentious $111M Power Line Project
TRENTON – After two years and a $500,000 legal fight, determined residents in five Monmouth County towns celebrated Friday with tears and hugs after state regulators zapped plans for a controversial high voltage powerline project proposed through their communities.
Beach Clubs Begin Swim Team Season July 5
SEA BRIGHT – Swimmers from eight area beach clubs will begin competing in the North Shore Club League July 5. The league consists of beach club members from Chapel Beach Club, Ship Ahoy, Sea Bright Beach Club, Monmouth Beach Pavilion, Seashore Day Camp, Monmouth Beach Bath and Tennis Club, Sands Beach Club and Surfrider Beach Club. The teams will compete every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the month.
Bubble Tea: A Fun Way To Beat The Heat
As the summer season quickly approaches, so does the heat. Ice cream has always been an antidote to the hot weather, but now there’s a new way to cool off: the iced, gummy-filled beverage called bubble tea. This Taiwanese tea-based drink created in the 1980s, is rapidly gaining popularity in the Two River area.
Bridge Renaming, 911 Service Fees, Be Sure to Move Over
Bridge To Be Dedicated to Longtime Senator After representing Monmouth County residents in Trenton for 30 years, Sen. Joseph M. Kyrillos Jr. will have a bridge in his hometown dedicated to him later this summer, county officials announced last week. The recently redesigned bridge over the Swimming River, known locally as Hubbard’s Bridge, connects Middletown and Red Bank along West Front Street and will be renamed the Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos Bridge.
Red Bank Classic 5K Attracts 1,000 Runners
RED BANK – The streets of downtown Red Bank were alive and bustling early Saturday morning for the inaugural Red Bank Classic 5k, which drew about 1,000 runners and their supporters to the downtown. Among the participants were Gov. Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy of Middletown, who surprised many in the crowd when they showed up in sneakers to run the race together. The event was hosted by the Red Bank Business Alliance and Red Bank RiverCenter.
Holmdel Teen Stars in Phoenix’s ‘In The Heights’
RED BANK – Sarah Coleman, a sophomore at Red Bank Catholic and a Holmdel resident, will be performing in a lead role in Phoenix Production’s revival of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “In The Heights” at Count Basie Center for the Arts June 22 – 24. Coleman is no stranger to big roles.
Water Witch Coffee Offers Blend Of Art And Culture
A copy of the Constitution hangs on the restroom door. The objects that adorn the walls run the gamut of time and place: a public health advisory sign from the city of New York parks and recreation department that warns pregnant women not to “eat fish or eels caught in these waters,” a boxed “crazy cat lady” action figure, a sombrero, a sign for Bianchi bicycles. Try to find a thread that runs through this decor, a unifying theme or a cumulative message, and you might just drive yourself crazy.
NWS Earle Celebrates 75th Anniversary
NSW EARLE – “Our primary purpose is to furnish ammunition to the fleet; all else is secondary.” That was the motto of Naval Ammunition Depot Earle’s first commanding officer, Capt. Burton H. Green, in 1943. Despite all that has changed since it was first commissioned to support World War II operations, 75 years later that message still rings true at Naval Weapons Station Earle.
Finding Home at Vanderbilt: Campus life for international students
Home Javascript will need to be enable to see cover photo effects Finding Home at Vanderbilt: Campus life for international students By Jenna Moldaver
Lanterns Cultural Showcase
Home Javascript will need to be enable to see cover photo effects Lanterns Cultural Showcase By Emily Gonçalves Footnotes: Photos by Emily Gonçalves
EDITOR’S MIX: Voices Editor Jenna Moldaver
EDITOR’S MIX: Voices Editor Jenna Moldaver Spanning decades and genres, this playlist gives you a song for any mood Voices Editor Jenna Moldaver A mix of pop throwbacks, upbeat classics and mellow tunes, this playlist has virtually no theme but contains some of my favorite songs. Give it a listen as you head to class, study for tests or unwind at the end of the day.
Why writing is the best way to record our experiences
Whether we like it or not, we live in an age of constant documentation. Everything we do– from going to parties to ordering Insta-worthy desserts– can be frozen forever and plastered all over the digital world. Few things, it seems, go unrecorded. But fear not: this isn’t the anti-social media tirade you’ve heard far too many times, and it certainly isn’t a criticism of our culture’s fixation on documentation. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Documentation is crucial.
Why we still need Obama-era sexual assault policy
On Thursday afternoon, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos added to the hotbed of nationwide unrest when she revealed in an interview with CBS that she intends to overturn the Obama administration’s Title IX sexual assault guidelines. With guards still up from the administration’s news on DACA earlier in the week, Trump opponents reacted vehemently to the federal attack on the law that requires schools to respond fairly and promptly to sexual assault allegations.
Exposing the Worst to Inspire Our Best: Vanderbilt’s True Life Presentation
Four days into first-year orientation, I walked into Langford Auditorium with a newly- purchased lanyard and a single dominating thought: Vanderbilt is wonderful. In all its ice-breaking efforts and awkward name games, my first few days of college had offered an inspiring introduction to the next four years, and my image of this institution was an optimistic and positive one.
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