For more information, contact: 
Natalie Judd, 203.389.5223, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or Wilson Guzman, 646.747.8821, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
     

V-me Announces Extensive Election Coverage, PARTICIPA 2008
America’s Fastest Growing Spanish Network to broadcast live primetime coverage and analysis

New York, January 22, 2008 – With the Latino vote critical to this year’s election, V-me, America’s fastest growing Spanish network, today announced its extensive primetime election coverage and analysis. V-me’s PARTICIPA 2008 coverage combines the experience and up-to-the-minute live reporting of the V-me Noticias team with the network’s flagship public affairs program, Viva Voz . V-me's election coverage explores the results and offers in-depth analysis of the critical issues and how these resonate with voters, particularly the Hispanic community, the fastest growing segment of the U.S. electorate.

On Super Tuesday (February 5th), V-me’s PARTICIPA 2008 team provides live primetime coverage from 10:00pm – 1:00 am (ET) with up-to-the-minute election updates. Broadcasting from V-me’s PARTICIPA 2008 news headquarters, award-winning journalist Jorge Gestoso and a team of political experts including Arturo Valenzuela, former assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and professor at Georgetown University; Otto Reich, former assistant secretary of state; William Ramos, executive director, NALEO; Emilio Viano, professor, school of public affairs, American University; and Jorge Castaneda, professor, New York University; and several others will provide in-depth analysis on the issues and voter trends while reporting on the electoral count and official results.

Throughout the entire election season, the V-me Noticias team will provide late-breaking news with its live hourly newsbreaks in primetime. Viva Voz will present special reports and analysis from Washington on its Thursday program, Viva Voz Desde Washington. Each week at 10:00pm (et/pt) Viva Voz Desde Washington will be exclusively devoted to a thoughtful discussion and analysis of the big issues facing America's voters, inside and outside the Hispanic community. Through a series of single-topic programs on critical issues facing the electorate, V-me will talk with top experts on subjects such as social values, domestic spending priorities, foreign affairs, education, healthcare and religion and race in politics. And, with stations in all of the top U.S. Latino markets, V-me will incorporate regional coverage and views into all of its election coverage to create a national dialogue.
 
On VmeTV.com, visitors will be able to comment on the issues, suggest topics for discussion, vote on polls, watch highlights of Viva Voz specials and follow breaking news of the national campaigns.
 
As the candidates are selected at the national party conventions, V-me's PARTICIPA 2008 team will broadcast live from the floor of the Democratic and Republican conventions covering all the highlights and the day’s news.

On Election Day, V-me 's PARTICIPA 2008 team presents live primetime coverage of the final hours as America determines who will be the nation’s next president.

V-me is presented locally by public TV stations and carried on basic digital cable and digital broadcast in many cities and nationally on DIRECTV and DIRECTV Más channel 440, DISH Network Ch 9414 and DISHLatino Ch 846. Check your local listings for time and date in your local market or www.VmeTV.com for more information.

About V-me
V-me is a new national network, partnered with public TV, which engages America's Latino families in Spanish with a lively mix of original and exclusive programs including: kids, lifestyle, nature, science, history, current affairs, music, arts, and nightly movies. The 24-hour network, with broadcast and digital carriage reaching one-third of all U.S. Hispanic TV households, is America's largest Spanish digital channel and the fastest out-of-the-box sponsor-supported network in U.S. Hispanic media history. V-me is the first venture of the media production and distribution company, V-me Media Inc. To find out more visit www.VmeTV.com

Para obtener más información, diríjase a: 
Natalie Judd, 203.389.5223, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it o a Wilson Guzman, 646.747.8821, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
    
     

V-me anuncia su extensiva cobertura electoral con PARTICIPA 2008

La televisora hispana ahora transmitirá, en vivo, su propia cobertura y análisis sobre las elecciones

Nueva York, enero 22, 2008 – Tras considerar que el voto latino será un punto clave en la elección de este año, V-me –la televisora digital con el crecimiento más acelerado en la historia de los medios hispanos EE.UU.– anuncia la extensa y analítica cobertura electoral que presentará durante su horario estelar. La cobertura se llama PARTICIPA 2008 y es un esfuerzo que combina la experiencia de los equipos de V-me Noticias y Viva Voz para producir información actualizada y oportuna sobre los resultados electorales. De igual modo, esta cobertura también ofrecerá análisis profundos sobre algunos puntos críticos y las repercusiones que ésots podrían traer a la comunidad hispana, que es la que registra el mayor índice de incremento en el electorado estadounidense.

Durante el llamado Súper Martes (5 de febrero) el equipo de PARTICIPA 2008 ofrecerá una transmisión especial, en vivo, desde las 10:00pm hasta la 1:00am (hora del Este) que incluirá información de último minuto. Este especial de PARTICIPA 2008 se transmitirá desde el centro de noticias de V-me y será conducido por el galardonado periodista, Jorge Gestoso y un equipo de expertos en política nacional: Arturo Valenzuela, ex asistente presidencial para Asuntos de Seguridad Nacional; Otto Reich, ex secretario asistente de Estado; William Ramos, director ejecutivo de NALEO; Emilio Viano, catedrático de la American University, y Jorge Castañeda, profesor de la Universidad de Nueva York. En conjunción con muchos invitados más, estos comentaristas anlalizarán profundamente los pormenores de las votaciones, reportarán el conteo de votos y anunciarán los resultados oficiales del sugrafio.

A lo largo de todo el proceso electoral el equipo de V-me Noticias reportará los sucesos más recientes a través de los breves informativos que presentará, cada hora, durante su horario estelar. Y como complemento, Viva Voz presentará reportajes especiales desde la capital estadounidense en los jueves de Viva Voz desde Washington y cada semana a las 10:00pm (hora del Este) la temática que se abordará estará dedicada a profundos análisis y sólidas discusiones sobre las problemáticas de los votantes norteamericanos, dentro y fuera la comunidad hispana.
Con esta serie de programas unitarios, V-me revisará junto con un grupo de expertos los tópicos que al electorado le interesan: los valores sociales, el gasto interno, las relaciones internacionales, educación, salud, religión y la carrera política. Además, gracias a su relación con las regiones de mayor concentración latina en EE.UU., V-me incorporará una cobertura regional de todo el proceso electoral a fin de propiciar una perspectiva nacional.

Los visitantes de la página en Internet: VmeTV.com podrán colocar sus comentarios de cada tema, sugerir tópicos de discusión, votar en encuestas, revisar los resúmenes de los especiales de Viva Voz y enterarse de las noticias de último momento de las campañas electorales.

Conforme los candidatos sean seleccionados en las convenciones nacionales de cada partido, PARTICIPA 2008 transmitirá en vivo desde el epicentro de las reuniones Demócrata y Republicana, a fin de ofrecere una cobertura de las noticias más importantes del día.

Y para el día de la elección, PARTICIPA 2008 transmitirá en vivo, durante su horario estelar, una cobertura de los momentos finales en que esta nación determine quién será su próximo presidente.

V-me se transmite localmente por las estaciones de TV pública y, en muchas ciudades, en el paquete básico de las compañías de cable digital. Nacionalmente puede verse por las cadenas DIRECTV y DIRECTV Más canal 440; DISH, canal 9414, y DISH Latino, canal 846. Para encontrar información específica del canal en su localidad, consulte www.VmeTv.com

Datos sobre V-me
En sociedad con la Televisión Pública de los Estados Unidos, V-me es la nueva televisora nacional que tiene como compromiso generar programas, en español, para las familias latinas. Su programación cuenta con una variedad de programas originales y exclusivos, sus temas incluyen: infantiles, casa y hogar, naturaleza, ciencia, historia, actualidad, música, arte y cinematográficos. Esta cadena se transmite las 24 horas del día por cable digital, vía satélite y a través de las estaciones afiliadas, lo que le permite cubrir una tercera parte de toda la audiencia hispana en los EE. UU.; convirtiéndose así en el canal digital con mayor crecimiento en la historia de los medios hispanos del país. V-me es la primera empresa de la reciente compañía de producción y distribución V-me Media Inc. Si desea saber más visite: www.VmeTV.com

For Immediate Release

DIVISION OF RECREATION/CULTURAL AFFAIRS SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING PROGRAMS

African Dance Classes, Winter Golf, Adult Basketball heat up February

Newark, NJ - February 1, 2008 - Mayor Cory A. Booker and the Division of Recreation/ Cultural Affairs announced the division’s schedule of programs and events for the next three weeks. The schedule runs as follows:

AFRICAN DANCE CLASSES for Families:

Going on now at the Boylan Recreation Center every Thursday from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., African Dance instruction will be offered weekly. This pilot program will feature a drummer and is conducted by a seasoned instructor - Mama Yaa. Classes are limited to 25 persons. For more information, call the Boylan Recreation Center at (973) 733-8947.

LIFE SKILLS Classes for Children aged eight to 11:

Going on through Friday, February 22, the Boylan Recreation Center is offering free Life Skills classes for 15 youngsters aged eight to 11, to help them with such issues as self esteem; building confidence; dealing with stress; communication and social skills. These classes are intended to keep them from developing bad habits and help them make wise life choices. The instructors come from Family Connection, a Maplewood-based social service agency that has collaborated with the Division of Recreation/Cultural Affairs in the past. Light refreshments are served. The program is funded by the New Jersey Division of Addiction Services. For information, call (973) 733-3469.

BALLROOM DANCING Classes for Adults:

Due to popular demand, the division is offering Adult classes in Ballroom Dance at the Rotunda Recreation Center, at 75 Clifton Avenue, on Thursday evenings from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Classes are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis to adults aged 18 and up, and the class is limited to 30 persons. Instruction will include training in the Merengue, Salsa, Cha-Cha, and Waltz. Couples are encouraged to join. For more information, contact Andréa Mason at (973) 733-3620.

WINTER GOLF for Youth:

The City of Newark’s Smart Golf/Hook-A-Kid on Golf Intermediate and Advanced Training Program has begun, and will continue until March 19. The Smart Golf program is aimed at newcomers to the sport, while the Intermediate and Advanced Program is a follow-up for youngsters who attended the city’s basic golf programs this summer. The program is open to Newark children aged 8 to 16.

The program takes place at two sites: the Boylan Recreation Center at 916 South Orange Avenue on Mondays, and the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center at 211 West Kinney Street on Wednesdays, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The program is co-ed, and participants learn a variety of golf techniques from certified golf instructors, provided by Newark Youth Golf, Inc. Equipment is provided by the Division of Recreation/Cultural Affairs.

The intermediate and advanced program involves the children who already received free golf clubs provided by the division’s summer Golf program. For more information, contact Donnell Redding at (973) 733-4451 or (201) 563-6485.

BALLROOM DANCING Classes for Youth:

Newark youngsters ages 11-17 can learn ballroom dancing. Classes are held on Thursdays from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. at the Rotunda Recreation Center at 75 Clifton Avenue, and at the Boylan Recreation Center at 916 South Orange Avenue on Thursdays from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.. Class size is limited to 25 students. Registration for the class is required at each recreation center and students will be accepted on a first-come basis only.  For more information contact the Rotunda Recreation Center at (973) 733-3677 and the Boylan Recreation Center at (973) 733-8947.

ART CLASSES, “Drawing Plus: Media Survey:” for Children:

Newark youngsters aged 11-16 can learn how to draw self-portraits, landscapes, and much more. Classes are held on Mondays and Thursdays, at the Ironbound Recreation Center, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and on Tuesdays at Boylan Street Recreation Center, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Class size is limited to 20 students. Registration for the class is required at each recreation center and students will be accepted on a first-come basis only. For more information on the curriculum, contact the Ironbound Center at (973) 733-3707 or the Boylan Center at (973) 733-8947.

ICE-SKATING for Adults and Children:

Residents ages seven and up can enjoy ice-skating at the Ironbound Recreation Center, now through April, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from noon to 2:30 p.m. Instructional training for children ages 7-17 on Saturdays from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm. For more information, contact the Ironbound Recreation Center at (973) 733-3707.

BIDDY BASKETBALL for children aged six through 10:

“Biddy” Basketball games for children aged six through 10 takes place at the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center, now through April, on Saturdays between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. For more information, contact the JFK Center at (973) 733-5483 or Keith Pobbles at (973) 733-8006.

BINGO for ages seven and up:

Bingo action is held year-round at the Ironbound Recreation Center on Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., for ages seven and up. For more information, call the Ironbound Center at (973) 733-3707.

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY for Adults:

Classes for adults on computer technology are offered year-round at Boylan Recreation Center, Mondays through Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. For more information, call (973) 733-8947.

DOMINOES for Children ages seven to 17:

Children ages seven to 17 can enjoy dominoes at the Rotunda Center on Tuesdays, from 5 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 3 to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the center at (973) 733-3677.

DOUBLE-DUTCH for Children:

Program runs for ages 8-17 (third grade to high school) at the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center. Days and hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:00 -7:00 p.m. For more information, contact Andréa Mason at (973) 733-3620.

SENIOR AEROBICS:

Senior citizens can enjoy aerobic exercise at the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from noon to 2 p.m. For more information, contact the JFK Center at (973) 733-5483.

SPADES for Youth ages seven to 17:

Newark youngsters ages seven to 17 can learn this card game at the Rotunda Center, now through June, on Thursdays, from 6 to 7 p.m. For more information, contact the center at (973) 733-3677.

TABLE TENNIS INSTRUCTION for Youth ages seven to 17:

Table-tennis instruction runs year-round for Newark youngsters aged seven to 17. Classes take place at the Ironbound Center Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturdays at 1 p.m., and at the Rotunda Center on Tuesdays, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, contact the Ironbound Center at (973) 733-3707, or the Rotunda Center at (973) 733-3677.

WEIGHT ROOM:

John F. Kennedy Recreation Center’s Weight Room is open seven days a week: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Sundays: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. For more information call (973) 733-5483. Boylan, Ironbound and the Rotunda Recreation Centers are open to adults year-round, Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

LEARN TO SWIM/YOUTH SWIM Team Programs:

Open enrollment evaluations for the Learn-to-Swim classes are conducted daily at John F. Kennedy Aquatic Center and Ironbound Aquatic Center from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Saturday, based upon Water Safety Instructor (WSI) availability.  Parents of team participants will be able to choose the most convenient schedule for their children.

Recreation is embarking on a new day in Aquatics for the City of Newark with an earlier opening ideal for Adult & Senior Learn-to-Swim lessons, as well as offering for the first time Corporate, Master and Senior. Master Lap Swims for former swimming competitors; those who love early swim workouts, and those interested in maintaining a healthy mind and body. Classes are offered from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the JFK Pool and from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Ironbound pool, Monday through Friday.

The JFK Aquatic Center is now open at 7 a.m., Monday through Friday, with closing hours of 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., remaining the same. Both pools are closed on Sunday. For more information, call (973) 733-4384.

WATER AEROBICS for Adults and Seniors:

Water Aerobics classes for adults take place now through June, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. at the JFK Center pool. Senior Water Aerobics classes are held at the same site on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. For more information, contact the center at (973) 733-4384.

ARTHRITIS WATER PROGRAMS for Adults:

Adults and seniors can fight Arthritis at the Ironbound Center pool now through June, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, contact the center at (973) 733-5838.

MOMMY, DADDY, AND ME WATER PROGRAMS for Toddlers with Parents:

Small children and their families can splash into swimming and floating September through June at the John F. Kennedy Aquatic Center on Saturdays from 10:15 to 11 a.m., and at the Ironbound Aquatic Center on Saturdays from noon to 12:30 p.m. For more information, contact the JFK Center at (973) 733-4384 and the Ironbound Center at (973) 733-5838.

FREE YOUTH COACHES Training:

The Division of Recreation offers training courses for adults who would like to serve as coaches, administrators, or officials in youth sports. The classes are certified by the National Alliance for Youth Sports, and all persons who complete the classes will receive a certificate in that class, which recognizes the participant as an official member, which also insures them against liability. For class schedules and more information, contact Zaid Braswell at (973) 733-6454.

EVENING ADULT WORKOUT Programs:

Stretch your body and relieve the stress of a hard day at work before going home with the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center’s Evening Adult Workout Programs. These classes are provided by the PowerZone and the Recreation Center’s Get Fit Challenge.

FREE Swimming, Basketball, Weightlifting, and Physical Exercise programs take place Monday through Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the recreation center, and on Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

STREET HOCKEY for Youth:

Street Hockey games for Newark youngsters aged 8 to 12 are taking place at the JFK Recreation Center Mondays, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For details, contact Andréa Mason at (973) 733-3620.

HOMEWORK AND TECHNOLOGY for Youth:

All recreation centers offer Newark youngsters free access to computers and tutoring to help them with homework and to learn modern technology, Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Adults can participate based on registration: Adult times will be announced. Contact Terri Gibson at (973) 733-6454 for more information.

CHESS for Youth and Adults:

Instruction and practice for chess players from ages eight and older, including adults, is being held at all recreation centers, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Contact Zaid Braswell as (973) 733-6454.

NEWARK DISTANCE CLASSIC for Youth and Adults:

This annual 5K and 20K run has been moved to Sunday, March 9, 2008, starting at 9:30 a.m. Awards will be given out for the top three male and female overall finishers, as well as the top three male and female finishers in various age groups. Businesses, schools, colleges, and other groups may compete with male, female, or co-ed teams for top three finishers in the “team” categories.

The race is certified by the USA Track Federation for New Jersey. All registrations postmarked before March 2, 2008, are $20. Registrations postmarked after that cost $25. USATF-NJ members take a $2.00 discount on registration. Registration closes at 9 a.m. on race day, Sunday, March 9, 2008. Everyone competing in the run will receive a race souvenir t-shirt. Runners muster for the race by 9 a.m. at Rutgers University Gymnasium (Golden Dome), located at 42 Warren Street, Newark, New Jersey.

The Division of Recreation/Cultural Affairs is seeking volunteers to serve on race day to assist with registration, man water stops, and serve as race marshals. For more information on competing or volunteering, contact Miriam Santiago at (973) 733-3749.

ADULT MEN’S BASKETBALL LEAGUE:

Open to men 18 and older on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center through March 30th. For more information, contact Zaid Braswell or Arthur “Rookie” Johnson at (973) 733-6455.

INDOOR SOCCER

Interested in a Soccer Program? Come out on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. or on Sundays from 9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center. For more information contact Arthur “Rookie” Johnson at (973) 733-6455.

NEWARK YOUTH TRACK CLUB - Initial Planning Session

Youth ages six to 14 are invited to come out and be part of the Newark Recreation Division’s Track and Field Club at the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center at 211 West Kinney Street. For more information contact Zaid Braswell at (973) 733-6455.

-NEWARK-

Media Contact:  Press Information Office - (973) 733-8004

LIST OF CITY

RECREATION CENTERS

East Ward

Ironbound Recreational Facility,

226 Rome St.

Gym: (973) 733-3707

Aquatic Center - (973) 733-5838

West Ward

Boylan Recreation Center, 916 South Orange Ave.

(973) 733-8947

North Ward

Rotunda Center

Clifton and Seventh Avenues

(973) 733-3677

South Ward

St. Peter’s Center, 378 Lyons Ave.

(973) 733-8006

Central Ward

Hayes West Center, 179 Boyd Street

(973) 733-3959

JFK Center

211 West Kinney St.

Gym: (973) 733-5483

Aquatic Center: (973) 733-6550

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us

For Immediate Release

MUNICIPAL COURT PLANS MASS WEDDINGS FOR ST. VALENTINE’S DAY

Newark court will perform nuptials and civil unions from noon to 4 p.m.

Newark, NJ - February 1, 2008 - Mayor Cory A. Booker announced today that the Newark Municipal Court is working to spread St. Valentine’s Day joy by scheduling as many weddings and civil unions as possible for that date, and is urging couples planning to marry at the Municipal Court to do so on that day.

The Municipal Court will, as it has in years past, mobilize its judges and staff to hold up to 125 wedding and civil union ceremonies that day. The Court will provide couples with a complimentary photograph taken under the Court’s wedding trellis as a memento of their special day.

Reservations and marriage license applications must be made in advance. Weddings will be held from noon to 4 p.m.

“St. Valentine’s Day is a special day symbolic of love and friendship. It is with great joy that I announce our Municipal Court continues the tradition of making dreams come true for Newark couples who want to exchange wedding vows on this day,” Mayor Booker said.

The court staff will process marriage licenses and civil union certificates and guide the couples to courtrooms, where judges will be assigned in rotation to perform each ceremony individually. Interpreters will be available to assist persons who speak Spanish and Portuguese.

For further information on marriage licenses and civil unions, contact Marriage Licenses at (973) 733-3825. For information on scheduling weddings and unions, contact the Municipal Court at (973) 733-8905.

-NEWARK-

Contact:        Newark Press Information Office: (973) 733-8004.

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us