By Maria Cascario A host of rock and roll legends will entertain at Madison Square Garden on December 12th for

the benefit of victims of Hurricane Sandy through. Called 12.12.12, the concert is raising money for the Robin Hood Relief Fund, which provides aid and resources to other charities and organizations across the tri-state area providing relief efforts for Hurricane Sandy. Performers including Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Alicia Keys, Foo Fighters, and other famous musicians will lend their support to this worthy cause. One of the performers is Greg Smith, bassist/vocalist for Ted Nugent, who moved to Washington Township, Pennsylvania twelve years ago. The concert is something Im very excited about. Growing up on Long Island, The

Garden was always the place you wanted to play. Although Ive played the Spectrum, Wembley Stadium and some of the biggest venues in the world, I never got the chance to play The Garden. This concert is especially dear to him since he knows a lot of people who were affected by the storm and its only natural that he would want to be a part of the fundraising

efforts. Greg said hes most excited that Paul McCartney is part of the Concert and hes also looking forward to meeting everyone backstage. For those who were unable to purchase tickets to this all star event, the following TV stations will be broadcasting the event live: AMC, BIO, CBS, Encore, FX Movie Channel, and HBO,

among many others. For more information about the concert and how you can donate to the Robin Hood Foundation, visit www. [Link]. No stranger to lending his talent to charitable causes, Greg participated in the NBC Telethon with Billy Joel. Locals will also be able to enjoy Gregs talents as he will be appearing January 20th with Off

Looking for a special gift for kids and adults? Something to look at and enjoy together? A new anthology of poems written by Warren and Sussex County youth pays tribute to Northwest New Jersey. Ridge and Valley Wild: Young Poets on Northwest New Jersey, has fortysix poems about local nature and wildlife. Full color photos, contributed by local nature photographers, illustrate every page. It is currently on sale at BookNest, located on Main Street in Blairstown. It can also be ordered online at [Link] and [Link] for $22. This book was a yearlong project of Ridge and Valley Learning Circles, an educational non-profit located in Blairstown. We wanted to create a work of art that celebrates this areas stunning beauty, said Evonn Berube-Reiersen, one of Ridge and Valley Wilds editors and also a

trustee of Ridge and Valley Learning Circles. I hope it will also encourage everyone young and old alike to get outside and to not just see, but to experience our wild lands and wildlife. After putting out a call last year for submissions through libraries and schools, the Ridge and Valley Learning Circles received over 100 poems from school-aged kids in the

region. Forty-six poems were selected for inclusion in Ridge and Valley Wild. The poems authors, whose ages range from five to sixteen, write about rocks, birds and everything in between. Color photos of local wildlife that appear on every pagefrogs, bears, an elusive bobcatwere contributed by the photographers. In addition, a map of parks and protected open space

provided by the Ridge and Valley Conservancy, a local land conservancy, points the way for readers to go out and explore for themselves. The book was a fun community effort, said Scott Murphy, another of the projects editors. Its also an excellent read. The kids poems are poignant and remarkable. They are able to capture the simple beauty that tends to get overlooked in our day-to-day lives. The poems authors, who saw the book for the first time last week at a book release event, are also pleased. Its great seeing my poem printed inside a real book, said Claire McNulty, age 14, one of the authors. The book is really nice. It makes me feel so lucky to live in this part of New Jersey. For more information about Ridge and Valley Wild: Young Poets on Northwest NJ, visit [Link] or call Ridge and Valley Learning Circles at 908-509-1322.

Attention All Customers and Readers of The PRESS: The December 26th and January 2nd editions of The PRESS will be sent to print early in order for our staff to enjoy the holidays with our families. Therefore, all ad information, press releases, classifieds, etc. are due to us no later than noon on Wednesday, December 19th. Anything received after this time may be held until the January 9th edition of The PRESS. Our offices will be closed from Friday evening, December 21st, through Tuesday, January 1st. We will reopen on Wednesday, January 2nd. Thank you! Help Stuff the Bus at Sussex County Community College and give to those who need a little help putting food on the table this holiday

season. Donations will be accepted at the college through December 14th in three forms: pre-packaged grocery bags, non-perishable items, or cash. For more information, call 973300-2232. A Toys For Tots gift collection is going on at RE/Max Ridge offices now! If you would like to contribute, bring a new, unwrapped toy to one of the RE/MAX Ridge offices (8 Main Street, Blairstown or 218 Rt. 31, Washington) any day! The second annual Blairstown and Vicinity Historical Calendars are now on sale. Calendars are $10 each; profit from the sales will be used for the Blair Womans Club Education Scholarship fund. Calendars can be purchased at Natures Harvest, 28 Main St., Blairstown; BookNest, 17 Main St., Blairstown; The Nest, 339 High St.,

Hope; or by calling 908-459-5073 or 908459-4945. The Sycamore Park Playground Project is currently accepting donations to help make this dream a reality in Blairstown. As a community-built project, financial support and volunteers are needed. Like Sycamore Park Playground Project on Facebook for more information. Relay for Life of North Warren is looking for anyone interested in joining the fight against cancer for the American Cancer Society. Local cancer survivors are also sought out and invited to the complimentary dinner at the 2013 Relay. The event will be held at North Warren High School on June 8th; teams are forming now. For more information, call Susan Wilson at 973-583-8866, or Tracey DePano at 973-

285-8025. Calling all fine art crafters! The Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council is inviting you to rent space in their Fine Art Crafts area in the gallery. All work must be original to the artist and approved. Call Chriss Murphy at 973-383-0027 for a prospectus contract and more information. Happy birthday wishes are sent to Doreen Rutherford, December 12th; Trisha Boettinger, December 12th; Chelsea McLaughlin, December 13th; Susan Burd, December 15th; and Heidi Martinelli, December 17th. We love hearing from you! Send your birthdays, anniversaries, and other info to: The PRESS PO Box 430 Blairstown, NJ 07825 thepressnews@[Link] [Link] Like Us on Facebook!

Here is a list of notable books and other items that have been added to the collection recently at the Warren County Library: Home for Christmas, by Celtic Woman. Greatest Hits-Chapter One, by Kelly Clarkson. Stop Living In This Land. Go To The Everlasting World Of Happiness. Live There Forever., by Woo Myung. Wheat Belly Cookbook: 150 Recipes to Help You Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path Back to Health, by William Davis. Bouchon Bakery, by Thomas Keller. A Memory of Light (Wheel of Time), by Robert Jordan. The Appalachian Trail: Celebrating America's Hiking Trail, by Brian King. The Perfect Hope: Book Three of the Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy (The Inn Trilogy), by Nora Roberts. Dragons Love Tacos, by Adam

Rubin. Living with Honor: A Memoir, by Sal Giunta. The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Widescreen Edition), from New Line Home Video. Dream More: Celebrate the Dreamer in You, by Dolly Parton. The Lord of the Rings The Return of the King (Widescreen Edition), from New Line Home Video. The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers: Book 5, by Linda Sue Park. How to Create a Mind: The Secret of Human Thought Revealed, by Ray Kurzweil. The Untold Story of the United States, by Oliver Stone. Meat Eater: A Natural History of an American Hunter, by Steven Rinella. The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2013 (Unofficial Guides), by Bob Sehlinger. Drinking with Men: A Memoir, by Rosie Schaap. 1862: Abraham Lincoln and the Making of America, by David Von Drehle.

On November 28th, Warren Countys Board of Chosen Freeholders presented Robin Ennis of United Way of Northern New Jersey with a proclamation in support of Novembers designation as National Family Caregivers Month. A United Way Caregivers Coalition launched earlier this year in Warren County, bringing much-needed education, information, resources and referrals to local caregivers. The Coalition holds public meetings at the Wayne Dumont Administration Building on the third Monday of the month from 10am to 11:30am. There are an estimated 24,000 caregivers in Warren County. Caregivers can be family, friends or neighbors caring for someone unable to perform daily tasks on their own such as, an aging loved one, a child with a disability or a sibling with a mental illness. United Way of Northern NJ is a nonprofit organization working to improve peoples lives and strengthen communities by focusing on Education, Income, and Health. These are the building blocks for a

good life a quality education that leads to a stable job; the tools needed to achieve financial stability; and good health. We lead caring communities to create long-lasting changes that transform peoples lives. Together, united,

we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow throughout Morris, North Essex, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties. To learn more, call 908-835-3550 or visit [Link] [Link].

The Hobbit--A Party of Special Magnificence: December 12th, 6:30pm. Warren Co. Library, 199 Hardwick St., Belvidere. Space is limited; please register. FMI, call 908-475-6322. Holiday Cupcake Decorating Class: December 13th, 3:15pm to 4:30pm. BES cafeteria. Open to children in grades 4. FMI, visit [Link]. Community Caroling in Newton: December 14th, 6:30pm to 8pm. Meet at the Gazebo on the Square in the County Park, then stroll Spring Street in Newton singing carols. Light refreshments served. Fun for the whole family! Penn Strings Concert: December 14th, 7pm. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, Blairstown. FMI, call 908362-8335. B.A.R.K.S. Adoption Day: December 15th,

11am to 3pm. Sears, Hampton House Rd., Newton. FMI, call 973300-3185 or visit www. [Link]. Mark Miller in Concert: December 16th, 4pm. Knowlton United Methodist Church, 509 Rt. 94, Columbia. FMI, call 908-496-4313. Breakfast with Santa: December 16th. Top of the Green Restaurant at Apple Mountain Golf Course, 369 HazenOxford Rd., Rt. 624, Belvidere. Santa will have something for the good little girls & boys. Children under 10 are free. FMI, call 908453-3023. Blairstown MOMS Club Christmas Fun Party: December 17th, 1pm. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, Blairstown. All at-home moms (PT or FT), expecting moms & children are invited. FMI, call 908-912MOMS or email Blairs townMOMSClub@gma [Link].

Blair Womans Club Meeting: December 18th, 12:15pm. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, Lambert Rd., Blairstown. Sing-along with Dr. Brian Fogelson & Louis Melchor from NWRHS. Annual holiday gift auction will take place to help fund various charitable endeavors. Ladies are invited to join the fun. Please bring a decorated gift & join the auction, & bring a food pantry donation. The Mayan Calendar & Doomsday: December 19th, 7pm. Warren Co. Library, 199 Hardwick St., Belvidere. Space is limited; please register. FMI, call 908475-6322. Art at Vass: Now thru December 23rd. An exhibition of artwork created by 22 artists at the Vass House, 97 Stillwater Rd., Hardwick. FMI, call 828278-8277 or email artatvass@ [Link]. Adult Jeopardy: December 27th, 7pm. Catherine Dickson

Hofman Library, Blairstown. Ages 18 & up. Registration required. FMI, call 908-362-8335. Mad Hatters New Years Eve Ball with Brooklyn Base Band, YARN: December 31st, 7:30pm. Historic Blairstown Theatre, 30 Main St., Blairstown. FMI, visit www. [Link]. Celebrate Recovery Christ-Centered Program based on Beatitudes & 12 Steps: Tuedays, 7pm-9pm. Walnut Valley UMC, Vail Rd., Rt. 94, Blairstown. Free and open to the public. FMI, call 908-362-9713. Toddler Lapsit Storytime & Sing Along: Tuesdays, 10am at Warren Co. Library Headquarters. For children up to 3 years old & a caregiver. FMI, call 908-475-6322. Knit Wits! Tuesdays, 10am. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library. Create items to donate to community organizations.

Blairstown & Knowlton A&P Alpine Meats Animal Mansion Ash Plumbing Asian Combat Arts A-Tech Auto Blair Tile Blair Tire & Auto Blairstown Chiropractic Blairstown Country Florist Blairstown Diner Blairstown Municipal Building Blairstown Optical BookNest Buckwood Building Specialties Burgdorff BuzzWorks Caffe Nelle Cucine Columbia Post Office Country Kids Station Custom Colonial Dale's Market David Krawski Dentist DogHouse Dominick Pizza Dr. Magalio, Dentist Ellias Restaurant Finish Line Auto First Hope Bank Frank's Pizza Fun & Games Gallery 23 Geo's Pizza Gourmet Gallery Hair Company Hairs 2 You Historic Blairstown Theatre Hope Deli Hope Haircutters JD Liquors Jetstream Hobbies John Deere Kozimors Upholstery Knowlton Municipal Building Lakeland Bank Lebduska Accounting Lumber Majestic Cleaners Marksboro Deli Medical Associate Napa Nature's Harvest New Beginnings New HoHo North Warren Pharmacy North Warren Truck Repair Old Stillwater General Store Physical Therapy Pizza Express PJ's PNC Bank Post Time Pub Prudential R. Keiling Race's Farm Market Radio Shack Remax RunWay Caf Salon Chevoux Shell Gas Station Skyland Bank Smitty's Sophia Nails Studio 94 Sun Velocity Sunoco The Auto Shop Tile Warehouse Tractor Supply Tramontin US Gas Village Green Wells Fargo Wilbur's Country Store Wine & Spirits Woman to Woman Belvidere A&P Albanese Gallery Al's Pizza

ACI Truck Stop Bagel Smith Belvidere Spa Clucas Farm Dee Doo's Dr. Amanda Richline Food Mart Four Sisters Winery Gunnar's Landing H&R Block Hearth Shop Hickory Mortgage Mediterranean Riverside Designs Riverton Hotel & Restaurant Rosal Jewelers Short Stop Skee's Busy Bee Skoogy's Steckel's Shell Station Thisilldous Uncle Buck's Diner US Gas Vincent Haircuttery & Plus Zack's Zeeks Washington A&P Bagelsmith Fliegauff Jewelers Home Instead Senior Care Kaffe Kaprys Lost Ladies Mediterranean Bistro MWC Racing Pride-N-Groom Quick Check Rossi Second Time Around Shopper Stop Silver Stars Bagel Smith Dodge Stanley's Pizza Subway Town Market Washington Shoe Newton A& G Pizza Back in Motion BMW Dealership Charm Co. Seat Dunkin Donuts Hampton Diner Ho Hos HobbyTown Holiday Inn Home Furniture Warehouse Kathy's Restaurant Newton News Stand Optical Center O'Reilly's PB&J Prima Donna's Quick Check Shop Rite Skylands Sport Shop Springboard Shoppe Superior Shower Doors The Chatter Box VW-Audi Dealership Weis Hackettstown A&P Bachs Home Healthcare Cozy Corner Golden Skillet Hackettstown Guns & Ammo Hackettstown Sandwich Shoppe Mama's Pizza/Cafe Baci O'Neill's Jewelers Prickley Pear Quick Check Riverstar Diner Valley Bagel Weis Willow Caf Columbia Ayers Hunters Lodge Roses Cafe

North Warren Regional School District is one of 539 school districts across 44 of the 50 states in the U.S. and Canada being honored by the College Board with placement on the 3rd Annual AP District Honor Roll for simultaneously increasing access to Advanced Placement course work while increasing the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP Exams. Achieving both of these goals is the ideal scenario for a districts AP program because it indicates that the district is successfully identifying motivated, academically prepared students who are likely to benefit most from rigorous AP course work. Since 2010, North Warren Regional School District has increased the number of students participating in AP by 22 percent while raising the percentage of students earning AP Exam scores of 3 or higher at 74 percent. More than 90 percent of colleges and universities across the U.S. offer college credit, advanced placement or both for a score of 3 or above on an AP Exam which can potentially save students and their families thousands of dollars in college tuition. North Warren has worked very hard over the past four years to open enrollment to more students and to encourage our students to challenge themselves through the rigor of taking AP courses. Its gratifying to see that work bear fruit. This designation is a testament to the dedication of staff and students to work to raise the academic bar at our school, according to district superintendent, Dr. Brian Fogelson. We applaud the extraordinary efforts of the devoted teachers and administrators in this district, who are fostering rigorous work worth doing. These educators have not only expanded student access to AP

course work, but they have enabled more of their students to achieve on a college levelwhich is helping to create a strong collegegoing culture, said College Board President, David Coleman. Helping more students learn at a higher level and earn higher AP scores is an objective of all members of the AP community, from AP teachers to district and school administrators to college professors. Many districts are experimenting with a variety of initiatives and strategies to determine how to expand access and improve student performance simultaneously. There has been a great victory among educators who have believed that a more diverse population could indeed succeed in AP courses. In 2012, AP scores were higher than theyd been since 2004, when one million fewer students were being given access. These outcomes are a powerful testament to educators belief that many more students were indeed ready and waiting for the sort of rigor that would prepare them for what they would encounter in college, said Trevor Packer, the College Boards senior vice president of the Advanced Placement Program. While we recognize that there is still much work to be done to prepare students for college, I find myself inspired daily by what they are achieving. Inclusion on the 3rd Annual AP District Honor Roll is based on the examination of three years of AP data, from 2010 to 2012, for the following criteria: Districts must: Increase participation/ access to AP by at least 4 percent in large districts, at least 6 percent in medium districts and at least 11 percent in small districts; Ensure that the percentage of African American, Hispanic/ Latino and American

Indian/Alaska Native students taking AP Exams did not decrease by more than 5 percent for large and medium districts or by more than 10 percent for small districts; Improve performance levels when comparing the percentage of students in 2012 scoring a 3 or higher to those in 2010, unless the district has already attained a performance level in which more than 70 percent of the AP students are scoring a 3 or higher. When these outcomes have been achieved among an AP student population made up of 30 percent or more underrepresented minority students (Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaska Native) and/or 30 percent or more lowincome students (students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch), a symbol has been affixed to the district name to highlight this work. The complete 3rd Annual AP District Honor Roll can be found here. North Warren Regional School District covers approximately 89 square miles of Warren County, and draws students from Blairstown, Frelinghuysen, Hardwick, and Knowlton Townships. The almost 1000 students in the grade 7-12 district are encouraged to choose from a variety of courses, including 11 AP courses. Students at North Warren excel in academics, athletics, and the arts. North Warren Regional High School is the only district in Warren County to earn this distinction. The College Boards Advanced Placement Program (AP) enables willing and academically prepared

students to pursue college-level studies with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement or both while still in high school. Through AP courses in 34 subjects, each culminating in a rigorous exam, students learn to think critically, construct solid arguments and see many sides of an issue skills that prepare them for college and beyond. Taking AP courses demonstrates to college admission officers that students have sought the most rigorous curriculum available to them, and research indicates that students who score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam typically experience greater academic success in college and are more likely to earn a college degree than non-AP students. Each AP teachers syllabus is evaluated and approved by faculty from some of the nations leading colleges and universities, and AP Exams are developed and scored by college faculty and experienced AP teachers. Most four-year colleges and universities in the United States grant credit, advanced placement or both on the basis of successful AP Exam scores more than 3,600 institutions worldwide annually receive AP scores. In the last decade, participation in the AP Program has more than doubled and graduates succeeding on AP Exams have nearly doubled. In May 2012, 2.1 million students representing more than 18,000 schools around the world, both public and nonpublic, took 3.7 million AP Exams. The College Board is a mission-driven not-forprofit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board

was created to expand access to higher education. Today, the membership association is made up of over 6,000 of the worlds leading educational institutions and is dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education. Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful

transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success including the SAT and the Advanced Placement Program. The organization also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators and schools. For details, visit [Link].

Dr. John Harrington invites all members of the local community to attend a free workshop focused on nutritional strategies that prevent or reverse Osteoporosis. Learn about the real causes of osteoporosis and how safe the newest drugs are for this condition. The event will be held Tuesday, December 18th at 7pm at the Catherine Dickson Hofman Library in Blairstown. Seating will be limited,

so please call the Sunrise Nutrition Center at 908-362-6868 to reserve your seat today. Dr. John Harrington has been practicing Nutrition for 10 years and has set up Personally Designed Nutrition Programs to help others find natural solutions to their health conditions. He has been in the field of alternative medicine for 14 years practicing Chiropractic and Clinical Nutrition mainly in the Blairstown area. from Motley Crue, as well as two former members of Black Sabbath. Well do ten cities in Russia, starting in Moscow for a total of three weeks, Greg said. In March, hell go back on tour with Ted Nugent. As if he isnt busy enough, he also plays with Tommy James and the Shondells. Just to illustrate how good-natured Greg is, when he came to The PRESSs PA office to be interviewed, he indulged our office staff by signing pictures and taking photos with all of us.

The Road at the Bethlehem Sands. Another local musician is in the group, John Cannavo, formerly of Roseto, PA, is a favorite with audiences wherever he plays. Band members also include Billy Joels guitarist and drummer, Chuck Burgi. In February, Greg is going to Russia with the Classic Rock All-Stars, which consists of different musicians, such as the former drummer from AC/DC, former singer

Commissioner Harold J. Wirths of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and Brigadier General Michael L. Cunniff, the Adjutant General of the state Department of Military and Veteran Affairs kicked off a job fair on December 5th with the Essex County One-Stop Career Center to help New Jersey Veterans connect with job opportunities. Today, we took a step toward fulfilling Governor Christies dedication to the men and women who have sacrificed on our behalf, said Commissioner Wirths. Approximately 300 veterans, spouses, and their families attended todays job fair at the West Orange National Guard Armory on Pleasant Valley Way, where about 40 employers set up interview tables, including Crestron Electric, Target, Lowes,

Home Depot, New Jersey Transit, GE Healthcare, Peter Pan Bus and Prudential. Reservists, National Guardsmen and veterans who return from active duty are not immune to employment struggles that face our state and nation," said Brigadier General Cunniff. This job fair is another step in the right direction to ensure NJ veterans are afforded employment opportunities following their honorable and faithful service to our country." Todays event comes on the heels of a November 27 Hire our Heroes job fair in Toms River, where the Christie Administration partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and others to find employment opportunities for veterans who lost homes and jobs due to Hurricane Sandy. In September, the Administration partnered with

the Chamber to host the largest "Hiring Our Heroes" job fair in the nation, when more than 700 veterans connected with more than 120 employers at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton. Governor Christie has taken many steps to help returning and former NJ service people, including expanding the highly effective Veterans Haven program to serve veterans in the northern part of the state at the site of Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital. Governor Christie also signed various pieces of legislation to assist veterans, including: Strengthening the support network for military families after the death of a service member; Establishing a program that awards high school diplomas to veterans who dropped out to serve in World War II, Korea and Vietnam; Honoring families of military killed in action with a special Gold Star Families license plate;

Establishing the New Jersey National Guard State Family Readiness Council Fund; Ensuring funding for the Veteran to Veteran Peer Support Program telephone helpline; and Funding programs that put veterans back to work, such as the Helmets to Hardhats effort through which the New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council In April the Christie Administration also launched Operation:

Hire a Jersey Hero at a symposium at Prudential Financials headquarters in Newark. The event focused on connecting employers who want to hire veterans with the state and federal agencies that can introduce them to former military people who need jobs and connect employers to incentive programs available to train veterans for civilian work. In May, Operation: Hire a Jersey Hero served 350 veterans and

spouses of active military service people through a job fair on board the USS NJ in Camden. Fifty employers offered a combined 2,800 available positions to participating veterans and spouses. In addition, First Lady Mary Pat Christie initiated the Heart of a Hero Scholarship through her New Jersey Heroes program to help military service members pursue postsecondary education or vocational training. In August, the First Lady announced ten scholarship recipients who each received $10,000 to assist in making his or her career goal a reality. The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, which organized the Newark employer event and the New Jersey Battleship job fair, has served more than 16,000 veterans this past year at its 34 OneStop Career Centers throughout the state. Veterans seeking employment are encouraged to contact the State Veterans Program Coordinator Michael Laun at Jobs4JerseyVets@[Link] [Link]; call 609-2922468; or visit the nearest One-Stop Career Center.

Commissioner Harold J. Wirths of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development continued the Christie Administrations second annual Season of Service volunteer activities today by joining New Jersey Youth Corps members and the Interfaith Neighbors, [Link] delivering hot midday meals to homebound seniors in Asbury Park. The Meals on Wheels program helps to ensure that New Jerseys homebound senior residents receive a hot nutritional meal, and having our Youth Corps members package and deliver the meals offers them an excellent community service learning project, said Commissioner Wirths. Corps members get an opportunity to connect with the older generation, as well as an opportunity to give back to the community. Commissioner Wirths worked with 10 Youth Corps members to package and deliver approximately 35 meals to senior residents in the city. The meals were

prepared and packaged at the Fourth Avenue, Asbury Park headquarters of The Interfaith Neighbors, Inc., which operates the Meals on Wheels program in that city and all of Monmouth County, in addition to sponsoring the New Jersey Youth Corps program in Monmouth County. Interfaith Neighbors is a nonprofit organization that seeks to make a difference in the lives of the working poor, the elderly, people who are homebound, disadvantaged youth and neighborhoods in need of revitalization. Each Tuesday and Thursday, the Interfaith Neighbors and Youth Corps members prepare and package the meals and deliver them to senior buildings and private homes in Asbury Park. Annually, the program serves approximately 4,000 senior citizens and prepares a total of 400,000 nutritionally well-balanced meals. New Jersey Youth Corps, which is under the auspices of the state Department of Labor

and Workforce Development, is one of the largest youth service and conservation corps in the United States. Youth Corps is a year-round, voluntary program that engages young adults, ages 16 to 25,who left high school before earning a diploma, in fulltime community service, training, and educational activities. In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Youth Corps members were dispatched to remove debris from the streets of many New Jersey communities, and the Youth Corps continues to play an active role in the clean-up. The Christie Administration's second annual Season of Service will continue throughout the holiday season. Last year, cabinet members participated in approximately 60 events across the state -- from serving meals on wheels to homebound residents and helping to serve and stock food pantries to stuffing care packages for military service members overseas and

holiday letter writing to troops abroad. Governor Christie has emphasized the importance of community service since his inaugural in 2010. Today, approximately 1.5 million New Jerseyans contribute about 170 million hours of service each year, bringing a positive influence to neighborhoods and communities throughout the Garden State through local groups, houses of worship and civic organizations.

If you are currently, or will be, caring for an older adult in his or her home, Home Instead Senior Care has a webinar for you on Wednesday, December 12, at 1pm. Part of the Family Caregiver Support Series, sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care the webinar will introduce you to multigenerational living and outline the advantages and disadvantages. It is free and open to all and

includes free CEUs. Participants in this web seminar will: Find out how to decide if multigenerational living is right for your family; Learn about some of the emotional issues to address, and how to enlist support; Get tips on how to prepare your home for an older adults arrival. To register, visit www. [Link]/325 and click on 2012 Senior Care Webinar Series.

Thanks to the support of alumni, parents and friends in the local community, the football rivalry between Blair Academy and The Peddie School in Hightstown, N.J., received more than 25,000 votes in USA Todays high school football rivalry contest, beating four other New Jersey schools to win the preliminary round of the competition. Blair and Peddie now advance to the regional round, so both schools are asking

their supporters to again cast their votes for Blair-Peddie by visiting [Link] [Link]/vote/north. One rivalry was chosen from each U.S. state and from the District of Columbia, so the BlairPeddie rivalry is up against 50 competitors in the next round. Voting is now open, and you can vote as many times as you like until December 12, so please participants shouldnt be afraid to click vote more than once! The four

rivalries with the most votes in the regional round will advance to the national competition, which will conclude on December 19 when one winner is announced. The schools that win the overall rivalry competition will split a $10,000 athletic department award and USA Today Sports will report live on that rivalry game in 2013, presenting the schools with a trophy to be held by each years winning team.

(NewsUSA) - If Hurricane Sandy taught us anything, it's this: Almost anyone can suddenly wind up living like a caveman for days or weeks on end. Geography didn't matter. (Huge swaths of New York City, not normally associated with ferocious weather systems, lost power, heat and hot water.) Neither did social status. (Homes of the rich and poor along the Eastern seaboard were equally devastated.) Here are some lessons learned from the superstorm to help you from becoming a statistic: Generators alone don't cut it. Websites like [Link] advise people to "install a generator for emergencies." Rarely mentioned, though, is that as good as they are at keeping you powered, unless you've also got a carbon monoxide detector -which costs all of $20 or so -- you risk being slowly poisoned by fumes spewed by generators in too-tight quarters. At least nine

fatalities were linked to that one omission alone, and Dr. Robert Glatter, a physician at Manhattan's Lenox Hill Hospital, called it "a major concern of public health officials after the storm." Cash is still king. Guess what those who routinely pay by credit or debit cards discovered also doesn't work during power outages? ATM machines. And since many stores could only accept real money, it fell to those like the Hoboken, N.J., woman who'd kept a "$100 emergency bill in a safe at home" to bail out neighbors. Fortify your roof. Roofs suffered some of the biggest casualties from the ferocious winds. While there's nothing you can do to prevent trees from smashing through them, other homeowners might've gotten off more easily had they heeded the advice of Jason Joplin, program manager of the Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence:

"Always install a drip edge to prevent winddriven rain from entering the roof fascia and deck." And he notes that the line of pre-cut Starter Strip Shingles from GAF, North America's largest roofing manufacturer, includes the industry's "strongest and most properly positioned adhesive to help prevent blow-off." Avoid your basement. Not only did many drown there in the storm surge, but the death of hero cop Artur Kasprzak should be a real wake-up call: After rescuing seven other relatives, the 28-year-old was electrocuted by a live wire when he raced down into the family's flooded Staten Island basement in search of his father. "People don't think this could happen, but it did," said his sister. Finally, a survivalist blogger had this alternative for those who refused to evacuate to protect against looters: "Hang a glow-stick somewhere near the window," and leave.

(NewsUSA) - Humans aren't the only creatures seeking warmth and shelter during winter's harsh temperatures and snow. Many pests make their way indoors and invade our sacred space in search of food and hiding and nesting spots, according to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). Mice, one of the most common winter pests, can enter homes through openings as small as the size of a dime. Once inside, mice are capable of chewing through walls, electrical wires and baseboards and breed at alarming rates -- producing as many as a dozen babies every three weeks. Signs of an infestation include scampering sounds at night in walls and ceilings, droppings found in undisturbed places and damaged or partially eaten food. While mice and rodents in general are the more rampant pests in winter, other pests such as spiders, ants, cockroaches and sometimes even nuisance wildlife find their way inside homes, posing a variety of risks to humans. Whether it's health risks such as Salmonella and allergies

from cockroaches, painful and itchy bites from spiders or other diseases and property damage from rodents and wildlife, NPMA's experts encourage homeowners to take precautionary steps to keep these pests out of their homes this winter. "A few simple maintenance measures can go a long way in keeping unwanted winter visitors out of homes this winter," advised Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the NPMA. "If your home has experienced any sort of damage from storms or just regular wear and tear, now is the time to take stock and make the necessary repairs." * Seal cracks and holes

on the outside of the home, including areas where utilities and pipes enter the structure, using caulk and/or steel wool. * Screen vents and openings to chimneys. * Keep attics, basements and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry. * Replace loose mortar and weather-stripping around the basement foundation and windows. * Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains. * Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house; keep shrubbery well trimmed. For more information on household pests or to find a pest professional near you, visit www. [Link].

Hello fellow readers, Is anybody home? Not a single write-in this week and Ill bet everyone is up to their eyeballs in holiday prep rather than planning next years garden. So if I may ask my own question about the timing of my 15-year old Christmas Cactus, which has bloomed before Thanksgiving the last few years. I researched the

characteristics of Schlumbergera, which is a small genus of cacti categorized in two groups. The Truncata Group has stem segments with pointed teeth, asymmetrical flowers held slightly above horizontal and yellow pollen. They generally flower earlier than members of the Buckleyi Group and although common names are not used consistently, are often called Thanksgiving Cactus, Crab Cactus or Claw Cactus. The Buckleyi Group has stem segments with rounded, more even teeth; symmetrical flowers which hang down below the horizontal, and pollen that is pink. They generally flower later than members of the Truncata Group and hence more likely to be called Christmas Cactus. So I examined my cactus and looked at its personal parts and the clincher is pink pollen. A Christmas Cactus from the Island of Misfit Toys? Hardly. The truth is I have so much to be thankful for that flowering in time for Thanksgiving seems absolutely relevant. It came into my life by way of adoption. The previous parent had no idea if it had ever flowered. Christmas Cactus is a tropical cactus, not a desert cactus and therefore cannot tolerate completely dry soil. It was easy to figure out that the dehydrated, neglected plant didnt have enough moisture or nutrients to put energy into flowering. Garden dilemmas? ask marystone@[Link]

(NAPSI) Tis the season of decking halls and trimming trees, and now theres a delicious way to do bothin the kitchen. Theres no chance of breaking heirloom ornaments when youre decorating miniature Festive Popcorn Trees made from The Popcorn Boards recipe. Roll up your sleeves, gather the kids and pull out your prettiest decorating sugars and sprinkles. Then turn marshmallows and popcorn into a scenic winter wonderland to displayor eat. Long ago, Christmas trees were trimmed with treats such as apples, nuts or dates. With Festive Popcorn Trees, your entire tree is edible. Theres no right or wrong way to decorate a tree, but if youre not happy with the results, eat it and start again. Its the ultimate eco-friendly way to trim a tree. And if youre looking to trim fat and calories during this hectic season, pop up a bowl of plain popcorn to nibble on when hunger strikes. At 30 calories a cup, wholesome, whole grain popcorn is naturally low in fat and calories and the fiber can help fill you between meals. Leave the padding to jolly old St. Nick.

Festive Popcorn Trees Yield: 10 trees 10 cups air-popped popcorn* 1 10-ounce bag miniature marshmallows 2 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract decorating sugar (green, blue)** 1 tube of white frosting (with decorating tip) assorted small colorful candies, such as sprinkles and miniature silver drages Place popcorn in large bowl. Place marshmallows and butter in medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from

heat. Stir in vanilla extract. Pour mixture over popcorn in bowl. Toss well to coat popcorn evenly. Line a baking sheet with foil. Spray hands with nonstick cooking spray, then scoop up about 1 cup of popcorn mixture. Shape mixture into a cone shape, keeping the base flat. This forms the tree. Sprinkle tree with decorating sugar; place tree on baking sheet. Continue to make the rest of the trees. Pipe frosting on trees to make a garland, then decorate them with colorful candies. Place trees on cookies and decorate tray with shredded coconut.

(NAPSI)Its the most wonderful time of the year, but the holidays can also be the busiest. The holiday season is filled with family and guests, parties and presents, foodand more food. With so much to do, it can overwhelm even those who have mastered the art of multitasking. The experts at Whirlpools Institutes of Kitchen and Fabric Science recommend the keep it simple approach to the holiday hustle. From the appetizers at the office party to that stunning little black dress and perfectly wrapped presents, these home experts have been helping to streamline chores for over 100 years. Here are a few tips to keep in mind this holiday season: The One-Tray Wonder To be the perfect guest (and host), find one quick and easy ingredient thats also versatile. Keep plenty of prepared phyllo tartlets in the freezer. Theyre easily thawed and delicious when baked in the oven and filled with specialty cheeses, veggies or even fresh fruit or a rich, chocolate mousse. Pick a different filling each

time, arrange on a serving tray and guests will wonder how you manage it all. Give that LBD a Little TLC The classic little black dress gets a lot of wear at this time of year. With a little TLC you can ensure a classic and sophisticated holiday look. Choose the right cycle if you plan to wash it yourself or skip the dry cleaner by refreshing in the dryer. If you do plan to wash, do so with like colors, make sure zippers and hooks are closed so they wont snag, and double-check pockets for lint or other items. Dont overload the washer. More room means less wrinkles. Finally, when in doubt, hang dry.

The Multipurpose Laundry Room If you find you are often hiding under the stairwell or wrapping gifts at 3am to keep them hidden from curious eyes, heres a tip: Try turning your laundry roomor other out-of-the-way spaceinto an organized wrapping station. Having a designated space means all your gift wrapping essentials will be right where you need them. You can store essentials, such as wrapping paper, gift bags, tags, scissors and tape, close at hand but out-of-theway. One great option are laundry pedestal drawers. If you dont have storage drawers, use an extra laundry basket as a place to corral your tools.

(NAPSI)Even with all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, showing your children the true spirit of the season can be done-and be fun. Here are eight easy ways parents can help children experience the joy of giving during this holiday season and throughout the years to come. 1. Spirit for heroes: Send the love and warmth overseas to troops during this holiday season. Create a care package to send to a soldier you may know or through an organization that handles shipping. Check the armed forces websites, such as www. [Link] or www. [Link], to see what is acceptable to send. 2. Homemade centerpieces: Create a homemade centerpiece to give to family and friends for their holiday tables. A gumdrop spice-candy tree is a great project for children to work on. Place gumdrops on toothpicks and stick them into a small Styrofoam tree. Arrange the gumdrops so the colors vary in this creative centerpiece. 3. Holiday hope chests: Have your children create holiday hope chests by decorating shoeboxes or plastic containers with wrapping paper and stickers. Fill these chests with small toys and art and school supplies to deliver to children at nearby shelters or hospitals. 4. Cookies in a jar: Help your children bake sugar cookies or gingerbread men and put them in a festive cookie jar as a gift for a neighbor or someone who lives alone. Top the jar off with a colorful ribbon and a holiday greeting card. 5. Senior center cheer: Bring holiday cheer to a local senior center for those who are unable to visit their families during the season. The children can sing carols, read holiday classics and enjoy a nice chat with the seniors in their neighborhood. 6. For many families, enjoying a holiday

movie together may be one of the best ways of introducing ideas to share, and to start meaningful family conversations. For example, theres Disneys latest holiday movie available on Blu-ray and DVD, Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups. It follows a new litter of adorable talking Great Pyrenees pups. While in Santas Workshop, they realize the best way to prove theyre responsible enough to become Santas Helpers is to spread the Christmas spirit all by themselves. 7. Animal love: Carry the love over to the four-legged family members by assisting the children in washing, grooming and hugging their pets. 8. Reindeer gift bags: Set up these cute reindeer gift bags to give to family members and friends. Fill decorated brown paper lunch bags with small treats and handmade cards. [Link] makes it easy to create these friendly gift bags at [Link]/crafts/rein deer-gift-bag. For further information about the movie, you can visit [Link]. [Link].

(NAPSI)If you or someone you care about is among the nearly 14 million people in the U.S. living with cancer, these tips from patients and caregivers on an online cancer network developed with the American Cancer Society may help. 1. Communicate needs, expectations and limitations ahead of time. Warn loved ones about any change in appearance. Let them know that you are okay with it and they will be, too, said Carol Notermann, an ovarian cancer survivor. 2. Join an online cancer community, such as [Link], where you can connect with others on a similar journey. Connecting

with someone who shares your specific diagnosis makes a huge difference, said Carol Haines, colon cancer survivor. 3. Ask for help with real tasks. You will feel relieved, they will feel needed and quality time will be spent together, said Makiko Fliss, a breast cancer survivor.

4. If you cannot make it to certain festivities, go via video chat, Skype or FaceTime. Video chat allows you to see and hear everyone from the comfort of your home, said Greg Pierce, a three-time cancer survivor. For more information, visit [Link] [Link].

( N A P S I ) Independent We Stand, a movement of locally owned businesses and people across the country, is dedicated to educating their communities about the importance of buying local. More than 100 million people are expected to shop small this year, and Independent We Stand is now offering its first mobile phone app to help consumers search for their favorite local businesses, anywhere. Whether youre looking for pizza places in Chicago, bike shops in Portland, or hardware stores in Florida, the Independent We Stand mobile app has you covered. The search engine has five categories: Shop Local, Eat Local, Local Services, Play Local, and Other, making it easy to localize your lifestyle and support your local economy. Once a category is selected, users can search by current location or select an address, city, state or zip code. Users also have the ability to recommend their favorite locally owned

businesses. Business owners can also use the app to become a member of Independent We Stand. Independent We Stand also offers support to its members from its Independent We Stand Resource Center, offering marketing materials, step-by-step activation tips and more. Independent We Stand members can take advantage of the free materials to promote their locally owned status. Members also have access to free signage, as well as information on how to create an online presence with social media. Buying local encourages people to reinvest in their communities by shopping with local businesses like our Independent We Stand members, said Bill Brunelle of Independent We

Stand. Locally owned businesses reinvest in the local economy at a 60 percent higher rate than chains and Internet retailers, helping to revitalize their economies. Consumers can dramatically affect their own communities by shopping local. When you spend $100 at an independent business, $68 returns to the local economy versus $43 when spent with a national chain. Find out what kind of economic impact shopping local in your city can have by visiting www. [Link] g/spend_local. Independent We Stand is proudly sponsored by STIHL Inc. To download the app, visit indep [Link]/intro ducing-the-independent -westand-mobile-app/.

(NAPSI)Jon Zagami is a leader. He gets results. He motivates his peers and he works hard. Most employers would be grateful to have an employee like him. Yet each year, many employers will turn down the opportunity to hire eligible candidates like Zagami, simply because of one factor: They are disabled veterans. Research from the Society for Human Resource Management shows that there are three key misperceptions that employers have about hiring wounded warriors like Zagami. These include lack of knowledge about how military skills translate into a civilian job, fear of posttraumatic stress disorder on job performance, and confusion that the cost of accommodations will be high. During the next five years, more than 80,000 disabled veterans will be entering the workforce in search of jobs. Brig. Gen. David J. Bishop, Commander of the U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command, says that the Army is doing all it can to help support the long-term success of

veterans. Part of this support lies in the Armys Hire a Veteran campaign, which aims to eliminate misperceptions that impede the employment of disabled veterans through employer and veteran firsthand accounts and new research. Our campaign aims to reduce anxiety around hiring a veteran and level the hiring field for our wounded warriors, said Bishop. Veterans bring discipline and leadership to any organization that they join. Employers and their bottom line would benefit from their unique skills and experience in the workplace. Timothy Warrington, a supervisor for the General Building Laborers Local 79, is featured

in the campaigns educational video. He hired disabled veteran William Plotner, who now works as a laborer for Tishman Construction at World Trade Center projects. Warrington says that Plotner is a benefit to the company and that other employers should give veterans a chance like he did. You know, we all want to put yellow magnets on our car. We all want to say we support veterans and that we support the troops, he said. Well, it is easy to say that, it feels good to say that, but why dont you just do it? Just do it. Hire the veteran. For more information, visit the U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command website, WTC. [Link]/employers.

Play Station 3: Hardly used. $75. Call 908-3628415 (4/5) Moving Sale: Bosh Washer/Dryer Set, 5 pc. Kincaid Oak BR Set, Tools (chop saw, nail gun w/ compressor, etc.), Framed Duck Paintings & Much More! Call Sandy for appt. at 908-399-3842. (3/10) Lego Set: Volkswagen T1 Campervan, model # 10220, like new, all pieces present, orig. box. $40. Call 908-362-7737. (2/5) For Sale: 1 Western saddle, 1 English saddle, 1 ping pong table. Best offer. Call 908-496-4212, leave a msg. (2/5) For Sale: ACER laptop computer, 4GB memory, 17.3 screen, 3 yrs. old, like new cond.: $195. HP Printer all-in-1, model # 1610X, like new: $50. Call 908-362-8545. (2/5) JBL North Ridge ND310 Hightower Speakers: exc. cond. $275 for the pair. Call 908-362-8880. (1/5)

Western Unimount Snowplow: 7.5 blade w/ wire harness. Could incl. 99 & up Ford Super Duty Frame. $1200 or $1400 w/ frame OBO. Call 908-4964342. (4/5) 95 Astro Van Parts: all good parts. Call 732-8611359; leave a msg. (4/5)

Hi Everybody! The ole saying is that a picture equals a thousand words, in this case, I believe it raises some interesting questions!! These comments and the subject titles above suit the second photo well!! BUT, I would like to throw out some other words to describe the three to four minutes that preceded that photo, Startled!! Anxiety!! Frustration!! There are no photos of that time frame, that will be my story. To set the stage, let me introduce the characters, Aunt Viv, age 89, Nephew, me, one large Red Tailed Hawk and two squirrels. All characters experienced multiple sessions of STRESS during this brief time of continuous OCCURENCES!! We had just returned to my Aunt's home from lunch. Entering the little porch between the house and the attached garage my Aunt asked if I would mind putting some birdseed into the bird-feeder in the backyard. I looked into the paper bag containing the seed and it was almost empty so I took the small tin can she uses to fill the feeder and started to carefully pour the seed into the tin can. Now I am focused on the pouring and not really aware of where my Aunt was, I actually thought she had gone into the house. I opened the door to the backyard and just started down the stairs, keep in mind, I was not paying attention to anything but the stairs, when I heard my Aunt loudly in a startled voice call out "What is That???" I look up to

see this large bird, long wings outstretched heading up into a tree. Now let us stop here one second, this is where the first picture comes into play. The hawk was perched on the white fence near the bird bath and the bird feeder is a little bit beyond that hanging about a foot above the fence, the tree where the hawk landed is only a few feet away from the fence! That is a Red Tailed Hawk!! My Aunt: Does that also eat seed? Me: It eats what comes to eat your seed!! I am now getting a little anxiety because I see a good chance to get a photo, BUT, my camera is back in my car in front of the garage!! I hand my Aunt the bag, Don't move I'll be right back with my camera!! I get my camera and entering the backyard again I notice that my Aunt did move closer to the bird feeder, BUT, the hawk is still right above her in the tree!! I can't believe this, every time I approach these hawks in the wild they are really hard to get close to!! Pushing the button to start my camera, ITS NOT STARTING!! I can't believe this, what the heck is wrong?? Finally the camera starts and I am just ready to click my first photo AND beep-beep-beep You Gotta be kidding me the BLANK BLANK battery is dead??!! I go back again to my car, I wonder if that hawk will still be there??!! I change the battery and entering the yard, My Aunt is worried about putting seed out for the birds

and also now worrying about letting her cat out latter on! The hawk is still there!!! Start my camera, look at the screen to line up my picture and I see something else moving on the screen! Put the camera down to look and there is a squirrel casually walking across a branch, THE SAME BRANCH THE HAWK IS ON!! I don't think the hawk sees it yet, THEN, I notice the hawk's head turn toward the squirrel and I hear that familiar high pitch call that those hawks give!! I wonder if that is a startled type of call or is that a, Thanks for joining me for dinner call!! I kind of feel a little sorry for the hawk, it was minding its own business sitting on a fence and was startled by my Aunt and now once again, sitting minding its own business, once again bothered, BY A SQUIRREL!! So now we have a hawk looking at the squirrel, it was quite obvious that at that moment the squirrel either got the verbal message or saw the BIG PICTURE!! It was at that very moment picture # 2 was taken! Folks, then things began to unravel The hawk took off, the squirrel headed back the way he originally came AND almost crashed into ANOTHER squirrel about three feet away!! Keep in mind here that when the hawk took off he made a right turn paralleling the squirrel's exit! The hawk came to rest in a tree in the neighbor's yard. Long story short, my Aunt didn't put any seed out!! I didn't see the hawk again so it must have moved on and the squirrels were looking around the bird feeder for food!! AND NOW YOU KNOW THE REST OF THE STORY Charlie Fineran Director Open Space Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission, Allamuchy Historical Society, President