Archive for December, 2010

Today is the final day of 2010, a year many will be happy to put behind them. Though officials are touting signs of economic recovery, for too many unemployed workers they’re not coming soon enough. »

As the year 2010 draws to a close, many of us are thinking about how to break old habits in the New Year. »

I don’t know what it is about New Year’s Eve that puts me in such a funk. Am I the only one who feels like this? One minute I’m flying high on Christmas only to begin my descent on December 31. »

SOUTH AMBOY-In December 1950, Police Chief David Quinlin had cops present for special protection at the sleigh riding streets in the city. They were stationed at South Feltus Street, Stockton Street, Center Street and Conover Street. »

Blood Drive • Jan. 2 from 9 a.m. –3 p.m. – Woodbridge Elks, 665 Rahway Rd., Woodbridge, will host a blood drive. Info: 1-800-933-2566 »

NEW BRUNSWICK -- New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of the New York Blood Center (NYBC) calls all negative blood types to donate at the New Brunswick donor room at 167 New Street on Sunday, Jan. 2 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. All donors will receive unique “positively negative” T-shirts after donating. »

(SPM Wire) Is obesity contagious? Can you catch it from your friends? And if you have skinny friends, can this help you lose weight? »

LIVINGSTON – Walking through the park after a snowfall, ice skating, sledding or skiing are just a few of the activities many people enjoy participating in during the winter months. But as fun as these activities can be, they can also be very dangerous. »

Dear EarthTalk: Can you explain what “fracking” is with regard to natural gas exploration and why it is controversial? -- Jonas Kern, Bellevue, WA »

RAHWAY -- On Monday, Dec. 13, Rutgers Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Rice, along with some of his coaches and players, visited Rahway Middle School. »

CRANFORD – On Dec. 6, Union County College hired David G. Brown, II to serve as the Project Manager of its new Green Workforce Service Program which is a part of the college’s Industry-Business Institute. »

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In 2011, personal exemptions and standard deductions will rise and tax brackets will widen due to inflation, the Internal Revenue Service announced. »

JERSEY CITY -- With 2010 drawing to a close and New Year’s Eve right around the corner, consider making a different resolution this year. Since getting out of debt and improving your financial situation is perennially atop the list of most popular New Year’s resolutions, make 2011 the year you finally whip your... »

STATE -- A law enacted in January 2010 gives the education commissioner the authority to change the date of the Annual School Election if it falls on a religious holiday. »

EDISON -- Earlier this month, the Edison Department of Health & Human Services (EDHHS) received an Outstanding American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Award from the New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services (NJDHHS). »

STATE — Thomas J. Deverin, 89, died Thursday, Dec. 23, at Haven Hospice, JFK Medical Center in Edison. Born in Perth Amboy, he lived in Carteret for the past 60 years. A communicant of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Deverin was a former Mayor, Councilman, and President of the Board of Education of Carteret... »

MIDDLESEX COUNTY -- The Middlesex County Commission on the Status of Women, dedicated to advocating for all women in Middlesex County and to providing an effective forum to identify and address women's issues and concerns, is calling for nominations for its first "Citizens of the Year" Awards. »

LINDEN -- Marybeth Strano, acting president of the Linden Historical Society, and Michael Demkowicz, society vice president, presented “The Historian of the Year Award” to Stephen T. Zielinski at the Linden City Council Meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 21. »

Dear EarthTalk: Why did 34 million wild sockeye salmon return to the Fraser River in British Columbia this year? The run had been declining for 20 years before now. -- David B., Seattle, WA »

PISCATAWAY -- The Diocese of Metuchen has rescheduled a Lenten faith formation workshop for parish and school catechetical leaders for Jan. 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, 146 Metlars Lane in Piscataway. »