Archive for December, 2010

The holidays are a happy time of year for many people, filled with family gatherings and friendly get togethers — often over a dinner table stocked to overflowing with rich, seasonal delicacies. »

During his campaign for governor, Chris Christie promised to clean up and restore Barnegat Bay. Eleven months after taking office, Governor Christie announced a “comprehensive plan of action” to fulfill his promise. »

CARTERET -- Construction has begun on the extension to the Veterans Memorial Fishing Pier at Carteret Waterfront Park, Mayor Dan Reiman and Councilman Vinny Bellino have announced. The borough has awarded a $2.589 million contract for construction of the pier extension to Atlantic Subsea, Inc. »

NEWARK — NJ Transit will offer extra service for the upcoming holidays to give customers more travel options, whether going to the mall for last-minute shopping, leaving work early for the Christmas and New Year’s weekends, or attending New Year’s Eve festivities. »

LINDEN – The City of Linden has been designated as a Transit Village by the state government. The Transit Village Initiative promotes Smart Growth by encouraging development in areas where infrastructure and public transit already exist. Linden is the 23rd municipality to receive the designation. »

TRENTON -- Legislation to provide an income tax credit to veterans who require psychological counseling and treatment upon returning home from war has been passed by the state Senate. »

WOODBRIDGE – Councilwoman-at-Large Pat Osborne submitted her resignation this week, effective Dec. 31. The Democrat has served on the council for 15 years. »

Dear EarthTalk: What’s up with dishwasher detergents of late? They’re clearly not working as well. I hope whatever was done is helping the environment because it’s not helping my dishes. -- Sally P., Everett, WA »

MILLBURN – New York stage veterans Ephie Aardema and Will Blum will lead the cast of the Paper Mill Playhouse’s next show, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” »

WEST TRENTON – In this tighter economic climate, consider giving a gift this holiday season that costs you nothing, but benefits everyone you know, and many people you’ll never even meet. Improve your defensive driving behaviors. The New Jersey State Police offer that simple advice to every motorist on the road over... »

UNION – Calvary Assembly of God will hold a candlelight Christmas Eve service beginning at 6 p.m. on Dec. 24. The service will celebrate the birth of Jesus as it highlights God’s Christmas gift to all humankind. »

FAIR LAWN – Columbia Bank, through their Columbia Bank Foundation, recently presented a $22,000 grant to the Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department. This community grant was used to purchase new air bag equipment for emergency rescue operations. »

GREAT LAKES, Ill. -- Navy Seaman Recruit William B. Grimes, son of Susan and Bernard J. Grimes of Iselin, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. »

CLARK -- Staff and students from the after school child care program at the Valley Road Elementary School in Clark are participating in the Flat Stanley project. »

ELIZABETH--Mike Colameco, chef and popular host of “Colameco’s Food Show” on public television, visited Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth on Dec. 20. Colameco’s appearance was a surprise Christmas gift to Benedictine Academy Principal Kenneth Jennings, who is an enthusiastic fan of the chef, admiring him for the “authenticity and honesty in his approach” to the... »

RAHWAY -- Franklin Elementary School in Rahway recently held a “Writers’ Roundtable Challenge”. Students in grades three, four and five were invited to participate in this principal’s writing initiative. »

RAHWAY -- Amy Grutzmacher from the Epilepsy Foundation recently came to Franklin School in Rahway to give a presentation to the fourth and fifth grade students. They learned about seizures and what to do for someone who has had a seizure. »

Creation of a charter school in New Jersey is no easy task, evident from the stories told over the years by founders of the 73 charter schools now open in the state, as well as the many other organizers whose proposed schools never got off the ground. »

PERTH AMBOY— Mayor Wilda Diaz and the city’s Human Services Department are working closely with the community and organizations to help those affected by Sunday evening’s fire in Harbortown, a private housing complex in Perth Amboy that destroyed the homes of nearly 100 people. There were no fatalities and no serious injuries. »

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Barack Obama signed legislation repealing the controversial Clinton-era “don’t ask, don’t tell” law that allowed homosexuals to serve in the U.S. military as long as they kept their sexuality a secret. »