News
June 23 , 2007
"Donors raise $700,000 toward reopening Novins Planetarium"
No, that's not how much Save the Planetarium has raised (at least not yet), but Ocean County College has announced it progress towards the goal of $1.5 million to fund new equipment for the planetarium theater. Read more from the Ocean County Observer. Also find out about naming opportunities.
"Stellar Pledges to Hasten Reopening"
The Asbury Park Press also carried the story about the OCC fundraising effort, and mention of Save the Planetarium Fund, Inc.
June 22 , 2007
"New Donations to Help with Renovations at Toms River Planetarium"
The Asbury Park Press reported on Ocean County College's announcement of several major donors. Also mentioned were the fundraising efforts of Save the Planetarium Fund, Inc.
June 17 , 2007
"Planetarium Invites Public "
The Asbury Park Press follows up on the June 16th article about the temporary reopening of the Novins Planetarium.
June 16 , 2007
"Toms River Planetarium Reopens After Ten Months With Program for Families, Kids"
The Asbury Park Press reports on the Novins Planetarium's partial reopening!
May 26, 2007
"Toms River Schools All-City Orchestra Concert Benefits Novins Planetarium"
The Toms River Times reported on the concert held at the Ritacco Center by the orchestra students of the Toms River High Schools and Intermediate Schools in support of the Novins Planetarium.
May 10, 2007
"Teens Raise Money for Stellar Cause "
The Asbury Park Press highlights the efforts of students from Toms River High School South to raise over $500 to show their support for the Novins Planetarium.
May 8, 2007
"Music Stars to Raise Funds: six local school bands unite for planetarium"
Today's Ocean County Observer article highlights tomorrow's fundraising event to be held at the Ritacco Center in Toms River.
May 6, 2007
"Fundraising efforts to save OCC planetarium taking off"
The Asbury Park Press published a list of events Save the Planetarium Fund will be fundraising at, including Monday's at Mulligan's and the Toms River Schools "All City Orchestra" Free concert at the Ritacco Center.
May 5, 2007
"Planetarium to get aid"
The Kick-Off to Ocean County Colleges "Reach for the Stars" fundraising effort was covered by the Asbury Park Press today.
"Reaching for the stars: County citizens pledge to save planetarium"
The Kick-Off to Ocean County Colleges "Reach for the Stars" fundraising effort was also covered by the Ocean County Observer.
May 4, 2007
"Freeholders to pay for renovations to OCC planetarium building"
A brief Asbury Park Press posting notes that Freeholder John P. Kelly has offered county funding for construction and repair costs to the Novins Planetarium building.
May 2, 2007
"Faculty group seeks donations for planetarium"
An editorial article appeared today in the Ocean County Observer from the Ocean County College Adjunct Faculty Association urging the community to contribute to the Novins Planetarium.
April 24, 2007
"Astronomy Day raises $6500 for OCC Planetarium: College Starts Fundraiser"
Tuesday Asbury Park Press article.
"Planetarium Fundraising Effort Starting"
This Ocean County Observer article highlights Monday's Ocean County College Board of Trustees meeting, where OCC President Jon Larson announced the kickoff of OCC's planetarium fundraising events to be held on May 4th at the planetarium. He further announced the College's intent to have the planetarium re-opened by this time next year.
April 23, 2007
"$3500 raised to help save planetarium at Ocean County College "
A brief Asbury Park Press posting notes that about $3500 was raised during April 21st's Astronomy Day activities at Ocean County College. $3000 of that qualified for the new Matching Grant program, resulting in a total of $6500 going to help save the Novins Planetarium.
April 22, 2007
"Astronomy Day also a fundraiser: group trying to save planetarium "
Today's Asbury Park Press article highlights some of the great activities and people involved with Astronomy Day. The event, held on April 21st at Ocean County College, was a wonderful success and the kickoff of Save the Planetarium Fund's Matching Grant Program.
April 20, 2007
"New donor found to help save planetarium effort"
An article by Kirk Moore appeared in the Asbury Park Press announcing Save the Planetarium Fund, Inc's "kick off" of it's new fund raising campaign the "Matching Gift Program". Also mentioned are details of Astronomy Day 2007 to be held at Ocean County College on April 21st. The event is being hosted by ASTRA and the Novins Planetarium.
April 19, 2007
"Donor pledges $50G match for planetarium"
Don Bennett of the Ocean County Observer wrote an article announcing the new fundraising campaign Save the Planetarium Fund, Inc. will be running called the "Matching Gift Program". This campaign is being made possible by an initial, minimum commitment of $50,000 by an area resident interested in helping other members of the community make their donations count twice as much by giving under this program.
April 13, 2007
"Astronomy Day will help promote efforts to reopen OCC planetarium"
Articles appeared 3 times in the Asbury Park Press announcing Astronomy Day 2007 to be held at Ocean County College on April 21st. The event is being hosted by ASTRA and the Novins Planetarium. Save the Planetarium Fund, Inc. will be present to "kick off" its new fund raising campaign the "Matching Gift Program".
April 12, 2007
"Group Seeks help to Save Planetarium"
A small article was in today's Asbury Park Press announcing the second Save the Planetarium Recruitment/Planning meeting to be held Tuesday, April 24th at the Toms River Knights of Columbus.
April 4, 2007
"Want to Save a Planetarium? Here's How"
Today's Asbury Park Press summarizes the fundraising efforts of Save the Planetarium Fund, Ocean County College and students from Toms River High School South.
April 1, 2007
"Planetarium backers regroup after deceit"
Today Kirk Moore wrote an article in the Asbury Park Press summarizing the current status of the fundraising and community awareness campaigns that the OCC Trustees and Save the Planetarium Fund are both beginning. He also covers the history leading up to today, including the bogus "donation" by Mr. Ed Devine.
March 29, 2007
"Letter- Gamba thanks trustees"
Today an article in the The OCC Viking News opinion section contained a letter from Save the Planetarium Fund, Inc. President, Richard Gamba thanking the OCC Trustees for committing to re-open the Novins Planetarium.
March 28, 2007
"Fund drives launched for OCC planetarium"
Today's Asbury Park Press reported on the first Save the Planetarium Fund, Inc. Volunteer Recruitment Meeting that was held at the Toms River Knights of Columbus last evening. The event was attended by aproximately 30 members of the community who came out to show their support for the Novins Planetarium. This event was well attended given the short notice to the public. Save the Planetarium Fund, Inc. will be holding a second Volunteer Meeting at the Toms River Knights of Columbus on April 24th at 7:00pm. Please come to see how you can help us out.
March 28, 2007
"Shooting for the stars"
Editorials published today by both the Asbury Park Press and the Ocean County Observer comment on the figures released by the OCC Board of Trustees at Monday's meeting and the fundraising efforts that were also announced.
March 27, 2007
"Saving planetarium to cost $1.5 million"
OCC will modernize facility
Continued coverage of yesterday's OCC Board of Trustees meeting appeared today in the Asbury Park Press. This is a more detailed account of the meeting, providing all the information that occured about the Novins Planetarium.
March 26, 2007
"OCC Trustees Commit to Raising Money to Reopen Planetarium"
Today Asbury Park Press reporter Kirk Moore reported on the OCC Board of Trustees Meeting, were an anouncement was made by the Board Members, saying that they were commited to fundraising and the reopening of the Novins Planetarium. Save the Planetarium Fund, Inc. president, Richard Gamba, praised the decision of the Board and reaffirmed Save the Planetarium Fund's commitment to continue it's mission of community awareness and fundraising to assist the college in their endeavor. To read Mr. Gamba's full text Click Here (PDF file).
March 22, 2007
"OCC to Reopen Planetarium"
Today's Ocean County Observer reports on the announcement made at the March 21st Ocean County Freeholder meeting. Freeholder Lacey stated that he and Freeholder Kelly met with OCC President Jon Larson regarding the future of the Novins Planetarium. While he did stop short of saying the Planetarium would definitely be saved, he noted that the College would be making an announcement during their public meeting on Monday, March 26th (12:30 PM on the OCC campus.)
March 20, 2007
"TOPIC OF THE DAY: Novins Planetarium"
Today's Asbury Park Press ran a letter written by county resident Lisa B. Becker, Barnegat, calling for the Ocean County Freeholders to use county funds to save the planetarium. While she praises the Freeholders for reducing our county tax rate, she challenges the Freeholders to use some of those savings to help save the planetarium.
March 12, 2007
"TOPIC OF THE DAY: OCC's Novins Planetarium"
The Asbury Park Press ran a letter written by Save the Planetarium Fund, Inc. Founder and President, Richard Gamba. The letter introduces Save the Planetarium Fund, Inc., and is a response to a March 2nd letter to the editor ("Organize Foundation to Save Planetarium," APP, 3 Mar 2007) which called for "a task force dedicated to the planetarium" to be formed to work to save the planetarium.
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March 10, 2007 Today's Asbury Park Press contained an editorial about the Planetarium and community efforts to save the facilty. It also called on both Ocean and Monmouth County Freeholders to make a commitment to the planetarium (which also serves thousands of Monmouth County students), and the College to carefully evaluate its position that the planetarium needs to be a revenue-generating, fully self-supporting operation when the same is not required of other educational operations. |
March 8, 2007
Freeholders Willing to Consider Options?
Reports of yesterday's Freeholder meeting are in both the Asbury Park Press and Ocean County Observer today. An interesting note from the Observer article by Don Bennett was that Freeholder Vicari suggested that the Freeholders may investigate splitting costs for a renovated planetarium between the College, County and private funds.
March 7, 2007
Community Speaks Up at Freeholder Meeting
Three members of the community made statements about the Planetarium at Wednesday's Ocean County Freeholder meeting. J. Randolph Walton raised the issue of the College expecting the planetarium to be completely self-sustaining, mentioning that libraries, museums and similar facilities that serve educational roles in the community are rarely fully self-sustaining, and need to have the proper tools if that goal is to be achieved. He further made the point that relatively simple items such as improved marketing, the ability to accept credit cards (without hand writing all the information), and better pursuit of grants could go far in improving the planetarium's ability to sustain itself.Suzanne Penna pointed out that last March, the planetarium was only in need of about $44,000 to repair its aging star projector and, if that had been done, it's possible the Novins could currently be presenting shows and educating students while fundraising efforts continued for further renovations.
Richard Gamba made the point that the Novins Planetarium is a community facility, and something that the community wants to see remain open. He also mentioned the millions of taxpayer dollars already allocated for Ocean County College and appealed to the Freeholders to "remind the [College] Board of Trustees to serve the residents of Ocean County" and use some those tax dollars to help fund the refurbishment and operation of the planetarium. He went on to announce and explain the formation of the "Save the Planetarium" Fund and this website.To read his speech in its entirety, Click Here (PDF File) .
March 6, 2007
"Save the Planetarium" Fund hits the Public Eye
Announcement of community efforts to save the Novins Planetarium made the front page of the Ocean County Observer Tuesday. The report was an account of Rich Gamba's presentation at the February 6th OCC Board of Trustees meeting.
The article includes one important message still needs to be understood by many: Gamba told the trustees other organizations promised money by Devine will not cease to exist, warning, "The Novins Planetarium may very well cease to exist because of his lies, and that fact needs to be clearly understood by everyone."
Another comment was somewhat misstated: Gamba told Larson he is committed to finding funds to save the planetarium, but cautioned that search may not be successful.In fact, Mr. Gamba was referring to an e-mail correspondence with Dr. Larson, where Gamba offered his support as well as the support of the astronomy club.
In Dr. Larson’s reply, he indicated he is committed to searching for the necessary funding to return the planetarium to a state-of-the-art operation, but he also cautioned us to be realistic and not engage in wishful thinking about the outcome. While he welcomes our help in raising funds, he advises we approach this effort with our feet on the ground.The article has already brought some positive attention and contacts for the fundraising efforts, and we look forward to more news coverage as things continue to grow.
February 26, 2007
Ocean County College Board of Trustees Meeting
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Astronomical Society of the Toms River Area (ASTRA) members, attended the Board meeting at OCC in order to make them aware of the public interest in saving the Planetarium and announcing community efforts to raise funds to help re-open the facility. The "I'm Helping to Save the Planetarium" t-shirt was announced, with the first one presented to OCC President, Dr. Jon Larson. Read the full text of the speech by ASTRA Vice-President Rich Gamba. |
