SIP in SOMA

“Get out the VOTE” Series Continues!

I chatted with Felisha George in early September before she dropped out of the School Board Candidate race. Our interview was amazing - all about what KIDS think about our schools and Felisha’s own RECENT experience in SOMSD.

Felisha shouts out her old teachers and talked about the supportive arts climate in the district. We talked about our dream of a district that is inclusive and supportive of ALL our CHILDREN. It’s a loss that Felisha is not running, but I am so happy that she remains an involved community member!

In these special “Get out the VOTE” episode, I chat with Bruno J. Navarro, school board candidate for the South Orange Maplewood School District.

In this special “Get out the VOTE” episode, I chat with Javier Farfan, a school board candidate for the South Orange Maplewood School District.

This week I share an interview with Aman Wilkerson, the founder and owner of OrderGrabbers. Aman shares his new business venture that supports local restaurants and his vision to support and grow young leaders at Seton Hall. Our conversation taught me so much about the restaurant delivery service business that I never knew!

📓 Aman wants to help young people by giving them the responsibilities that go beyond classroom “projects” and help students become entrepreneurs or secure jobs after having real-world experience. I 💛 to brainstorm about growing future leaders! Follow @ordergrabbers on Instagram and check out their website: www.Ordergrabbers.com

⬇️Download the OrderGrabbers app through the App Store for Apple or Get it on Google Play.

💡I had a big “aha moment” this week after the police investigation in our town. Fear is painful in my body, but it’s also here to remind me to LIVE my life and my purpose. And it helped me talk to my kids about fear - it can teach us to live more thoughtfully and carefully when we go out, but we still have to live our lives. My thoughts are with the victim as she heals, her family, friends and neighbors as they try to make sense of this and support her. Sending you all good energy to process this news and, to all of you struggling, please talk to friends, family or a professional to get some support.

Mentions in the show:

BGR - www.bgrtheburgerjoint.com

Falafel-ly Yours - www.falafellyyours.com

Dancing Blender - www.thedancingblender.com

Work and Play - www.workandplaynj.com

Sadie’s - www.shopsadies.com

Take the Cake - www.take-the-cake.org

Wild Ginger - www.wildgingernj.com

Sabatino’s - @sabatinospizzagram on Instagram

DataDreamers - www.datadreamers.com

Insight Timer - Meditation app with over 10,000 free meditations follow @insighttimer on instagram

Episode 14 is here! 🌟Burnout 💛Gratitude Attitude 📓Become an informed SOMA voter now! 💗YAY for South Orange & Maplewood peeps! Call to Action: Become an informed voter: If you have 5 minutes: 🍁Visit Village Green & check out the candidate profiles: https://www.facebook.com/1416499235278364/posts/2122640211330926/ If you have 15 minutes: 🍁Check out a couple of the candidate websites and look them up on social media to get to know them better. If you have 1-2 hours: 🍁Check out the videos of the debates (Oct 3rd link is below.) https://villagegreennj.com/schools-kids/video-boe-candidates-talk-gifted-talented-special-ed-more-at-first-forum/ 🍁Chat about candidates, the issues and remind your friends to get informed and vote! If you have 2-4 hours: ⭐️Attend a candidate event ⭐️Volunteer to host a coffee ⭐️Call neighbors to Get Out the Vote on Election Day 🍁🍁🍁Volunteer to help an elderly neighbor make it to the polls or babysit a friends’ kids so they can get there. 👌If you see candidates at events, walk up and say hi - the people running for public office in our town are very accessible. I saw school board candidates and township committee candidates at: Able Baker Maplewoodstock HolaFest Octoberfest with Soma Brewing Co. Freeman’s Lobster Roll Thank you MAPLEWOOD MOMS for being there for me. Special shout out to Elizabeth Zenobi, Tracey Gutierrez, Tara Kando, Shannon Cuttle and Felisha George. Even in the middle of their lives, candidacy and work, they were able to carve out time to help me! Shout out to Jennifer Bronsnick who has been an amazing guide with her work: http://www.themindfulfamily.com/

I have found a lot of camaraderie with Peggy Excell of Lotus Petals Floral Design - she shared some unexpected experiences about moving her business to Springfield Avenue. Her candor and joy about her business is evident in our conversation - enjoy! Thank you to Peggy for coming on the show! www.petalsdesign.com

Sharing my #MeToo story is about freedom from shame, helping others who are struggling and the solidarity I share with Dr. Ford and too many others. I learned a lesson in compassionate listening and communication this weekend and I only hope this can help someone else.

⭐️I spoke with leaders of the Community Coalition on Race in South Orange and Maplewood.

📓Getting involved in the School Board Election

✨Upcoming events - education, culture and music - SOMA has it all!

For more details, check out www.

http://www.twotowns.org/ and @communitycoalitiononrace on FB and Instagram to learn more!

Let’s Run! A New Episode of SIP in SOMA: 🏃🏽‍♀️I spoke with co-chairs of the Newstead 5K Fundraiser for the Achieve Foundation 🌟BE KIND without expectation. 💥Weekend events - Run, Play, and Shuck oh my!

An exciting NEW Episode of SIP in SOMA: 💥Kari Capone talks about entrepreneurship in SOMA and online! 🔥Call to action - get involved in the upcoming election! 🎼RENT Party Picnic and Newstead 5K: support our kids in SOMA! Check out Kari’s Kits online at https://www.kariskits.com/ to learn more about the kits, her knitting community and to contribute to her Kickstarter campaign! Go to the Rent Party Picnic on Sat at Maplecrest Park from 12-8pm! More Rent Party Info: https://rnpharmacy.com/ Register to run the Newstead 5K at https://achievefoundation.org/newstead5k/ Support the Achieve Foundation’s tutoring programs, grants to teachers and professional development of district staff! Thank you for listening and engaging! Check us out at www.SIPinSOMA.com