Solutions sought as economic Winter looms IN THIS ISSUE: ————————— By Chris Neidenberg ————————— PATERSON — In these perilous economic times, this City and others around New Jersey must come to grips with resi- dential and business prop- erties left abandoned after foreclosure. Their goals in- clude revitalizing de- pressed areas and assisting people who are displaced - - or who face eviction -- from the crisis. Paterson and State af- fordable housing advo- cates offered some rays of hope in this dark period during a recent forum at the Pub- lic Library’s Dan- forth Branch on Broadway. The occasion was a Meet and Greet convened by the Housing and Commu - nity Development Net - work . The Trenton-based organization ac- tively lobbies on affordable housing issues and works with advocates in all 21 Counties. Paterson Hous - ing Authority Ex- ecutive Director Irma Gorham moderated the 2- hour session before about 70 persons, primarily area housing activists with a few residents. The Hous- ing Network's Passaic County Advocacy Team offers resources to City or- ganizations. "The Network is very busy in Paterson," Gorham told the crowded gathering. Foreclosure fears aired at City’s housing talk New Hindu Community Center beckons visitors of all faiths to its many programs ———————— By Jerry Jastrab ———————— MAHWAH — In the Hindi language, samaj means “community” and mandir means “temple” or “house” and the brand-new Hindu Samaj Mandir in this Township is fully living up to its name. The 32,000-square-foot facility comprises a Community Center , Tem - ple of Unity , Cultural School and Senior Citizen Center . A Museum dedicated to the Indians’ journey to the United States is in development in a 152-year- old, 4,200-square foot landmark home on the property, which is at the inter- 32,000-sq.-ft. facility opens in convenient, rustic setting with over 700 member families It was the Meadowlands close up for residents on a pontoon Eco-Tour of the Hackensack River. GARDEN STATE R RE ES SO OU UR RC CE ES S, , p. 3 For advertising or news, reach the newspaper at : PrimeTimes, P.O. Box 2507 Warren Point Station Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 Phone : (201) 803-7160 Fax : (201) 791-3394 e e- -m ma ai il l a ad dd dr re es ss s : [email protected] CONTACT US: P P T T Hand-crafted Canadian Artist John Eisler, left, describes his craft to visitors at the Belskie Museum in Closter as he holds Morning Vigor , carved from mahogany. Eisler is one of 17 artists who participated in Journeys: A Sculptural Path , co-sponsored by the Sculptural Associates of the Art Center of Norther New Jersey in New Milford. He also created Ecce Mater Dua , inset, viewed by Westwood artist Agnes Adler. Assemblywoman Elease Evans, right, who is also Pas- saic County Freeholder Director, speaks at a housing meeting at the Danforth Library in Paterson as Irene Sterling, President of Paterson Education Fund , listens. PHOTOGRAPHY AND TEXT BY JERRY JASTRAB PHOTOGRAPHY BY M. LISA LIONETTI COMMUNITY OUTREACH: A centerpiece of the region’s Indian com- munity has opened in Mahwah with the completion of the Hindu Samaj Mandir , a 32,000-square-foot facility comprising a Community Center . Temple of Unity and Museum . At the Samaj’s joyous opening, top left, Saroj Kumar, left, and Mansi Hooda applied hindis — painted red dots — to the foreheads of visitors as a sign of friendship. In the balconied performance hall, inset left, about 500 people enjoyed a full afternoon of song and dance performed by their own children. In the Temple, right, Presiding Priest Chandrashekar Sharmaji brought a photogra- pher to Durga Devi, the Mother God of Hindus. The cleric and secu- lar leaders emphasized that the Samaj’s many programs and features are available to all local residents and all religions. Paterson Housing Dir. Irma Gorham PHOTO:JERRY JASTRAB S Sh h e e ’ ’ s s s s t t i i l l l l g g o o t t i i t t ! ! Ex-Rockette Jean Martin reprised her Radio City days. SENIOR MOMENTS, p.8 section of West Ramapo Avenue and Ramapo Valley Road in the northwest sec- tion of Mahwah. The Samaj cost about $10 million, over half of which came from members, with the balance being borrowed. A welcome to all The Samaj began with a stunning mem- bership of over 700 families, and at the joyous, weekend-long opening celebration, huge crowds worshiped in the Temple and enjoyed song and dance in the Commu- nity Center, much of it by children of the members. “We welcome all religions,” said Dr. Rakesh Sharma, a pulmonary physician with offices in Ridgewood and Ramsey. See HINDU SAMAJ, page 15 in New Jersey THE MONTHLY JOURNAL FOR ELDERS Nov.-Dec. 2008 YEAR 5 — ISSUE 49 F F R R E E E E N N E E W WS S P P A A P P E E R R O F B ERGEN AND PASSAIC COUNTIES Times Prime Prime Times State scam-busters The N.J. Department of Insurance and Banking warned elders about dodgy offers and investments. P. 4 PHOTOGRAPHY BY JERRY JASTRAB See HOUSING, p.13 O Of f f f t t h he e b be ea at t e en n p pa at t h h