Archive for February, 2009

STATE—The Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards voted unanimously Tuesday to pursue an investigation into allegations that Assemblyman Joseph Cryan abused his office by having legislative staff perform tasks related to his non-government post as state Democratic Party chairman for the politician’s personal benefit. Monmouth County Freeholder Robert D. Clifton disclosed in January that... »

STATE—The New Jersey Metro Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is asking everyone to “Move It” during MS Awareness Week to end MS now. Michael Elkow, president of the society’s New Jersey Metro Chapter, asks people to show their commitment to the MS movement with simple actions throughout the week. Multiple sclerosis is... »

By Michael S. Goldberger, film critic When you were little and the cartoon’s protagonist didn’t realize who the villain was, it drove you nuts. You screamed at the TV, “Watch out, she’s bad.” Happily, the hero always heard you. If you’d like to revisit this Drama #101 lesson in smugly knowing way more than... »

Promoting Healthy Habits—February is Dental Health Month at schools in New Jersey. On Feb. 17 students from the UMDNJ School of Dental Hygiene visited Grover Cleveland School in Rahway. The hygiene students visited each class and gave lessons on dental health and proper care of your teeth. Each Grover Cleveland student was given tooth... »

WOODBRIDGE-PERTH AMBOY-Here are more memories I received in an email from former area resident Tom Saboy: ” Dear Ms. Harrison, I was born in Hopelawn in 1935. I attended Hopelawn # 10 school from 1940 to 1948 and Woodbridge High School from 1948 to 1952. “I read your articles on the internet. I do... »

  Gregg Semanick-New Jersey’s IRS Spokesperson This year, the IRS is offering a new filing option, Free File Fillable Forms, which opens up free filing to virtually everyone.  Free File Fillable Forms allow you to fill out and file your tax forms electronically, just as you would on paper.  Free File Fillable Forms is... »

Bank Supports Rotary Club—Roxanne Keegan (left), manager of Provident Bank’s South Amboy branch, presents a check to Michael Poll (right), president of the Rotary Club of South Amboy/Sayreville, during the Rotary’s January meeting at the Peter Pank Diner in South Amboy. The Rotary helps provide much needed services to organizations around the world and... »

CLARK—Anthony N. Poyssick, a member of Boy Scout Troop 145 of Clark, earned his Eagle Scout award, the highest honor in Boy Scouting. Only four percent of all Boy Scouts attain this rank. A scout since 1998, Poyssick has earned 26 merit badges and has held various leadership ranks such as senior patrol leader,... »

RAHWAY-Here are some memories from former Rahway resident Sydney Beech-Blicharz, Rahway High School Class of 1971: “I lived in the first house directly behind Rocky’s Bar and Grill and Demblings Grocery Store on West Grant Avenue from 1955-1980. I have many memories of both places through the years. The original owner (of Rocky’s) was... »

 Gregg Semanick-New Jersey’s IRS Spokesperson Education tax credits can help offset the costs of higher education for yourself or a dependent. The Hope Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit are two education credits available which may benefit you and reduce your taxes.  IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education, explains the tax benefits that... »

HAMILTON – It’s official: Americans drove far fewer miles last year than in 2007. In fact, the year-over-year decrease in miles driven by Americans in 2008 over 2007 is more dramatic than other periods of decline, including the days of the long gas lines during the “oil price shock” in 1973, and the stock... »

Students Learn About Modern Slavery — The Human Rights Institute at Kean University hosted its second annual conference, Slavery in the Twenty-first Century, on Friday, Feb. 13. A crowd of nearly 800 people, including students and teachers from throughout New Jersey, as well as members of the Kean University community and the general public,... »

By Jim Whelan Four years ago on his first team bus ride, new coach Mike Jones asked his players if their opponent that day—the now defunct St. Al’s of Jersey City – was any good. One of his players on the school bus responded with optimism, “No. They’re not that good.” After a short... »

 Gregg Semanick-New Jersey’s IRS Spokesperson If you have not received your Form W-2, contact your employer to inquire if and when the W-2 was mailed and if it was sent to the correct address.  If you still do not receive your W-2 after following up with your employer, contact the IRS for assistance at... »

Students Volunteer At Food Bank—Students, faculty and staff from Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth volunteered time at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside on Feb. 6. Pictured clockwise from far left are juniors Amiosinor Igertei of Hillside, Priscille Dossekou and Cassandra Silva, both of Newark, Vanessa Devia of Elizabeth, Natasha McDowell of... »

100 Days Of School—Kindergarteners at Wardlaw-Hartridge School in Edison celebrated 100 days of school on Feb. 19 by presenting projects they crafted from various materials like beads, Legos, cereal and stickers. Pictured above, Simone Erachshaw of Iselin shows her classmates her project which featured 100 stickers spelling out “100 Days” on a t-shirt. (Photo... »

Will You Freak-Out or Hunker Down? Sometimes motivation is forced upon us.  We are thrust into the Un-comfort Zone.  And, whether we sink or swim depends on how we respond to the situation.  How do you react during a crisis? Here are the stories of two men who faced a crisis lat in life and how... »

Gregg Semanick-New Jersey’s IRS Spokesperson If you received a stimulus payment last year and you are preparing your tax return keep in mind that the payment is not taxable income on your tax return.  If you did not qualify or did not receive the maximum amount for last year’s Stimulus Payment you may be... »

MOUNTAINSIDE?The Internal Revenue Service released new withholding tables that will result in more take-home pay this spring for millions of American workers. “The new tables, now posted on IRS.gov, incorporate the new Making Work Pay credit, one of the key tax provisions included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 that became... »

TRENTON—As the New Jersey economy weakens, unemployment figures increase and family incomes shrink, the New Jersey State Library has launched a new web site designed to make it easier for residents to connect to state programs, services and agencies that can help them during these tough economic times. “Many New Jerseyans are facing severe... »