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First Arch Arrives by Barge for New Portal North Bridge

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First Arch Arrives by Barge for New Portal North Bridge

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Portal North Bridge

Photo courtesy of NJ TRANSIT

Infrastructure

On Nov 27, 2024

Following a 30-hour journey down the Hudson River, the first of three massive arches to support the new Portal North Bridge arrived at the construction site in Kearny, yesterday. The new bridge will replace the current 114-year-old swing bridge, which opens for maritime traffic and often has mechanical issues, resulting in service delays. The new structure is a fixed span bridge that eliminates the need to open and close, improving the experiences of thousands of daily commuters along the busiest stretch of passenger rail in the country.

“Today marks an important milestone for the Gateway Program with the arrival of a new arch that will help replace the century old Portal North Bridge,” said Gov. Phil Murphy. “Together, we are transforming the Portal North Bridge into an access point that will provide our rail passengers with a more reliable commute, and our entire region with economic opportunity. We are now proudly one step closer to rebuilding our regional infrastructure and assuring that the most important public works project in America continues to move forward.”

Senator Cory Booker commented, “Over the last 10 years, my colleagues and I have secured nearly $1 billion in federal funding to strengthen this critical railway, the first major project under construction in the Gateway Program. I look forward to the continued progress of ongoing infrastructure upgrades across New Jersey.”

Three tugboats, a heavy transport barge and a spacer barge towed the 5 million-pound, 400-foot-long, 50-foot-wide arch down the Hudson River beginning at the Port of Coeymans near Albany, NY. Traveling an average of 5 knots (about 5.75 miles per hour) down the Hudson River, it arrived near the bridge site in Kearny 30 hours later.

The Portal North Bridge is a new modern two-track, high-level, fixed-span bridge that will rise 50 feet over the Hackensack River, more than doubling the height clearance and will allow marine traffic to pass underneath without interrupting rail traffic.

The project is being funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, New Jersey, New York, and Amtrak. In January 2021, Murphy announced the signing of a Full Funding Grant Agreement which secured $766.5 million in Federal Transit Administration funding to support the project’s construction.

In October 2021, and NJ TRANSIT announced the approval of a $1.6 billion construction contract awarded to Skanska/Traylor Bros PNB Joint Venture (STJV) for the construction of the new Portal North Bridge. The contract represents the single largest construction award in NJ TRANSIT’s history.

The project spans 2.44 miles of the Northeast Corridor line and includes construction of retaining walls, deep foundations, concrete piers, structural steel bridge spans, rail systems, demolition of the existing bridge, and related incidental works.

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

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Positions in Finance | New Jersey League of Municipalities

Don Lichterman
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Positions in Finance | New Jersey League of Municipalities

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Sample Position Descriptions

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Leads financial strategy for the municipality, overseeing the town budget and making suggestions for both short and long term, while considering the risks and aligning with the municipality’s overall goals. The CFO manages all financial activities, including accounting, treasury management, revenue and licensing, capital management, redevelopment finance, purchasing and related support services. 

Tax Assessor

Responsible for maintaining property assessment records and tax map, overseeing defense of tax appeals and property inspections. Often supervise administrative staff and work with the public.

Comptroller

Responsible for overseeing all accounting records, including payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable, as well as preparing financial statements. A comptroller must have a thorough understanding of all accounting regulations and procedures. The position may also file federal and state taxes.

=""Typical Education Levels

High School – Master’s Degree

Certifications/Continuing Education

Several licenses are available to those wishing to pursue them in the area of municipal finance. These licenses are issued to those that complete the required coursework, and certification shows a high level of understanding of municipal finance issues and municipal law. Continued courses are required to upkeep these licenses, and benefits include the ability to apply for higher level positions with higher pay ranges. For more details on the below certifications, visit the Professional Certifications page.

Certified Municipal Finance OfficerCertified Qualified Purchasing Agent

Certified Tax AssessorCertified Tax Collector

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Projected Lineups for Blues vs Devils – 11/27/24 – The Hockey Writers – St Louis Blues

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Projected Lineups for Blues vs Devils – 11/27/24 – The Hockey Writers – St Louis Blues

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The St. Louis Blues take on the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center tonight. Here are the projected/expected lineups sourced from NHL.com staff writers, independent correspondents, and others.

BLUES (10-12-1) at DEVILS (15-7-2)

7 p.m. ET; FDSNMW, MSGSN2

Blues projected lineup

Jake Neighbours — Robert Thomas — Pavel Buchnevich
Brandon Saad — Brayden Schenn — Jordan Kyrou
Dylan Holloway — Oskar Sundqvist — Zack Bolduc
Alexey Toropchenko — Radek Faksa — Nathan Walker

Ryan Suter — Colton Parayko
Scott Perunovich — Justin Faulk
Pierre-Olivier Joseph — Matthew Kessel

Jordan Binnington
Joel Hofer

Scratched: Corey Schueneman, Alexandre Texier, Mathieu Joseph

Injured: Nick Leddy (lower body), Philip Broberg (knee)

Status report

  • The Blues held an optional morning skate Wednesday.
  • Broberg, a defenseman, skated with contact for the first time Tuesday since being injured Nov. 2, but will miss his 12th consecutive game.

Latest for THW:

Devils projected lineup

Ondrej Palat — Jack Hughes — Jesper Bratt
Paul Cotter — Nico Hischier — Stefan Noesen
Nolan Foote — Erik Haula — Dawson Mercer
Shane Bowers — Justin Dowling — Tomas Tatar

Brenden Dillon — Dougie Hamilton
Jonas Siegenthaler — Johnathan Kovacevic
Luke Hughes — Brett Pesce

Jacob Markstrom
Jake Allen

Scratched: Nick DeSimone, Kurtis MacDermid

Injured: Nathan Bastian (jaw), Curtis Lazar (knee)

Suspended: Timo Meier

Status report

  • Meier, a forward, was suspended one game for cross-checking Nashville Predators forward Zachary L’Heureux during a 5-2 win Monday.
  • Foote will replace Meier and play in his second game this season on the third line.
  • Cotter will move into Meier’s spot on left wing from the third line.

Latest for THW:

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Gottheimer Reacts to the Israel-Hezbollah Agreement

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Gottheimer Reacts to the Israel-Hezbollah Agreement

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Today, November 26, 2024, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer released the following statement in response to the negotiated agreement between Israel and Hezbollah:

“The deal announced between Israel and Hezbollah — a U.S.-designated terrorist group — is a critical and positive development. For months, the Biden Administration has been working tirelessly to ensure a deal that incorporates Israel’s security needs while ensuring Hezbollah cannot continue to violate UN resolutions 1701 and 1559. This deal will ultimately allow more than 80,000 residents to safely return home, while allowing Israeli forces to ensure the security of the state of Israel and her citizens. Let’s be clear, Israel did not launch this war and maintains the ability to protect herself if violations occur.

“We can never forget that 416 days ago, the Iranian-backed terrorist group launched a brutal campaign against our greatest democratic ally in the Middle East, Israel. Since October 8, 2023, Hezbollah has indiscriminately fired more than 12,800 rockets, mortars, and drones at Israeli cities, residents, and towns.

“This deal shows Hamas that they can be defeated, that their Iranian-backed terrorist allies are abandoning them, and that they must come back to the negotiation table.

“Moving forward, the United States must continue to support Israel in her fight against Iranian-backed forces on multiple fronts. On October 7, Hamas terrorists killed 1,200 individuals, including 46 Americans. We also cannot forget that Hamas terrorists still hold 101 innocent people hostage, including seven Americans and my constituent Edan Alexander. We will not rest until each and every one of them is returned home to their loved ones.”

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Pompton Valley Rail Trail Partially Open to the Public – Morris County, NJ

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Pompton Valley Rail Trail Partially Open to the Public – Morris County, NJ

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Published on November 15, 2024

Completion of Project Expected By Spring as Morris County Continues Work

2024 Pompton Valley Rail Trail The Pompton Valley Rail Trail, formerly known as the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway Bicycle and Pedestrian Shared Use Path, is now partially open to the public, although construction is continuing with full completion anticipated by late winter or early spring 2025.

The 4.8-mile trail project, which is federally funded, has been spearheaded by Morris County and the Morris County Park Commission, with the goal of repurposing an abandoned railway into a non-motorized recreational path stretching from Pequannock Township in Morris County to Wayne Township in Passaic County.  Proposed and in design for many years, construction of the trail began in June 2022.

“Transforming this corridor into a community asset and preserving its historical character as a rail line has been a rewarding challenge,” said Morris County Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw, liaison to the Public Works Department. “We’re thrilled to see the trail open to residents and visitors who can now enjoy safe, accessible access to both natural and urban landscapes. Our work on the remaining southern section reflects our commitment to completing a first-class trail for everyone to enjoy.”

The path north of the Pompton River crossing is open to the public, with some final touches remaining. However, due to ongoing fabrication issues with railings for the Pompton River Bridge and a 2,150-foot elevated path south of Ryerson Avenue, the southern portion in Wayne Township remains closed. The community is urged to refrain from crossing these features, as it poses a significant safety concern without the railings in place.

Ultimately, the path will feature a 10-foot-wide paved surface, beginning at River Drive in Pequannock near Route 23, connecting with the township’s Aquatic Park and extending south to Mountainview Boulevard near NJ Transit’s Mountain View rail station in Wayne.

2024 Pompton Valley Rail Trail Rock Snake Various safety improvements have been installed at intersections with active roadways, including advanced warning signs, painted alerts on the road and trail, and detectable warning surfaces to assist visually impaired users. ADA-accessible features have also been included at intersections and integrated where feasible along the trail. Key intersections, such as Alexander Avenue, Jackson Avenue, and Newark-Pompton Turnpike, have been equipped with Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons to enhance crossing safety.

While these improvements were made to enhance visibility and provide advanced warnings at crossings, path users are still highly encouraged to come to a full stop and look both ways before crossing any intersection.

Morris County’s Department of Engineering will continue to address inquiries about the trail’s construction, and the Morris County Park Commission can be contacted regarding general maintenance of the completed sections.

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Photo 1: A scenic shot of the Pompton Valley Rail Trail during fall 2024.

Photo 2: The stone snake continues to grow on the Pompton Valley Rail Trail.

 

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Municipal Leaders Claim Public Engagement is Largest Asset to Lead Replacement Efforts

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Municipal Leaders Claim Public Engagement is Largest Asset to Lead Replacement Efforts

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June 24th, 2024 by New Jersey Future staff

By Andrea Jovie Sapal and Deandrah Cameron

“We collectively work towards a future where every resident in New Jersey has access to clean, safe, and lead-free drinking water by fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge through innovation,” declared Richard Calbi, Director of Ridgewood Water, as he opened the lead service line replacement session at the 2024 Planning and Redevelopment Conference. This session focused on a critical environmental justice issue that demands our urgent attention—the presence of lead in drinking water in New Jersey. 

Lead service lines (LSLs) account for 75% of all lead in drinking water exposure and are particularly harmful to formula-fed infants and children under six. New Jersey leads the way in LSL replacement with one of the strongest mandates across the country. In 2023 NJ was designated by the Biden Administration as one of four states participating in the US Environmental Protection Agency’s LSL Replacement Accelerator program, in part for NJ’s aggressive approach to service line replacement and emphasis on planning and municipal coordination. Last month, the EPA announced that NJ will receive $123 million in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The cost estimate for LSL replacement in NJ is roughly $3 billion. 

Although funding is a major issue, engaging customers proves to be the most difficult hurdle. Moderator Richard Calbi stated, “The bulk of the financial burden will fall on water systems, resulting in increased water rates for consumers.” Consumers, i.e. regular households and businesses that pay for water, are the biggest stakeholders and face the burden of paying for their lead lines as water systems design replacement programs. While some programs offer free replacement, most systems will charge a cost. According to one report, a single LSL replacement could cost on average $6000 with high costs over $9,000—accounting for the cost of living differences, unique building or pavement materials, paving requirements, and unique permit fees. Speakers Kouao-eric Ekoue, Superintendent, City of New Brunswick Water Utility; Noemi de la Puente, Principal Engineer, Trenton Water Works; and Stephen Marks, Town Administrator, Town of Kearny shared their expertise on the state and federal partnerships, cost reduction strategies, and community engagement at the “Leading the Way: Cost-Saving Solutions for Coordinating Lead Service Line Replacement with Municipal Projects and Processes” session.

Featured speakers Kouao-eric Ekoue of New Brunswick Water Utility and Noemi de la Puente of Trenton Water Works (TWW) represent two of NJ’s accelerator cities (more below). State support for local assistance is critical for advancing LSL replacement projects. In conjunction with the federal LSL Replacement Accelerator program, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) launched NJ-TAP, an initiative providing enhanced technical assistance for disadvantaged communities to provide safe and reliable drinking water to residents. New Brunswick Water Utility leverages both federal and state programs to assist in changing ordinances, accessing funds through the SRF program and bonds, integrating data validation tools, and self-testing and electronic identification surveys as part of community outreach. On the topic of effective strategies to gain community support, Ekoue stated that his administration is fully involved in the process, emphasizing the importance of municipal engagement early on since without that buy-in, the projects are not going to go anywhere fast. 

New Jersey’s ten federal LSL Replacement Accelerator cities include: 

  • Blackwood 
  • Camden
  • Clementon
  • East Newark
  • Harrison 
  • Keansburg
  • Keyport
  • New Brunswick
  • Trenton
  • Ventnor City

LSL replacement can be challenging for water systems that serve multiple municipalities where program planning looks different for each locality. This type of coordination and cross-collaboration requires ingenuity; moderator Rich Calbi noted, ”We must explore innovative strategies and best practices to help municipalities navigate these challenges effectively and alleviate the burdens placed on residents as we work toward compliance with this vital mandate”. The City of Trenton serves five municipalities: Trenton, Ewing, Hamilton, Lawrence, and Hopewell, each requiring a unique approach. 

Trenton Water Works’ engineer Noemi de la Puente discussed challenges and potential solutions around the Three Ps: Paving, Policing, and Permitting. Each municipality has different paving jurisdictions, and without coordination, replacements could be unnecessarily costly. In 2022, when de la Puente inherited the program from her predecessor, she asked, “How are we going to reshape the TWW LSL replacement program overall at a rate that isn’t expensive?”. Some potential cost-saving solutions de la Puente is looking to explore include streamlining the hyperlocal permitting process by coordinating LSL replacement plans with paving projects associated with sewer maintenance plans, main replacements, and other paving projects across jurisdictions. Since funding is a challenge, de la Puenta emphasizes that partnering with these projects would allow the leverage of Clean Water State Revolving and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds as well as funds allocated through the NJ-Moves program for paving projects. To date, de la Puente mentions needing a total of 961 permits totaling $111,476, concluding that these fees could be significantly lower with coordinating across programs.

De la Puente stressed that the strongest collaboration TWW can form is with their customers because they require access to 62,000 basements to identify lead service lines. The faster they can identify the inventory, the quicker they can complete the project. “If I [knew] my entire inventory next week, the rest of my lead service line replacement project will go much more smoothly,” concluded de la Puente. 

If I [knew] my entire inventory next week, the rest of my lead service line replacement project will go much more smoothly. 

—Noemi de la Puente of Trenton Water Works

The Town of Kearny also utilized an ordinance to develop a free and mandatory program coupled with a cost reduction that includes combining the town’s resurfacing program with its LSL replacement program. However, Marks expressed that it won’t happen all at once “Given the density of digging test pits every 25 to 40 or 50 feet, it made the most sense for the town of Kearny to incorporate the lead service line replacement into the road resurfacing program. The town has a moratorium on digging up any streets that have been paved within the last five years, so we’re actually focused on all the streets that haven’t been paved on the outer end of 10 to 15 years or more.” This means depending on when the road was last paved, customers may have to wait years before the replacements are scheduled to begin. To mitigate this, the Mayor and Council also passed supplementary ordinances to reimburse all customers who coordinate their own replacement should they decide to move ahead of the town’s schedule. 

“100% of the census tract for the Town of Kearny is considered overburdened by the state of New Jersey,” and about half (46%) of the town is considered low-moderate income

—Stephen Marks, Town of Kearny

Overburdened communities often struggle to pay cost shares. Town of Kearny Administrator Stephen Marks highlighted that “100% of the census tract for the Town of Kearny is considered overburdened by the state of New Jersey,” and about half (46%) of the town is considered low-moderate income. The Town of Kearny also utilized funding through the Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) as an alternative source of funding through which a portion of the town became eligible based on census tract and income level. Marks explained that funding is a constant challenge and that municipalities are constantly deciding between the lengthy SRF process that may offer the potential for principal forgiveness or choosing to engage in the private market which could be more costly but quicker. In response to the notice of the $123 million in federal funding, Marks stated that municipalities have a decision to make as regards timeliness and meeting the 2031 goal. For example, he explained that an $8 million project is a trade-off between a “six-month” I-Bank application process with the hope of possible principal forgiveness compared to self-financing through the private market where there is no principal forgiveness but saves time. In addition to funding and coordination Marks also shared similar challenges to his fellow panelists around property access, expressing that residents typically do not want the town accessing basements or private spaces especially where they potentially have an unpermitted conversion of the basements.

The overlapping theme among the municipal leaders was that community engagement is extremely important, especially in overburdened communities where customers face a number of challenges, including cost sharing for LSL replacement. Partnerships with community groups and local leaders play a pivotal role in the successful replacement of LSLs and facilitating coordination between different jurisdictions and projects. The ultimate objective of achieving lead-free drinking water necessitates a multi sector approach that offers cost-effective solutions. Cooperation among various local, regional, and state leaders is crucial for effective implementation. The Primer for Mayors outlines ten efficient measures for LSL replacement and guides municipal officials on how to initiate this process in their community. This Jersey Water Works resource is a prime example of an initiative that supports all municipalities by providing the necessary tools and strategies for effectively replacing lead service lines. By July 10, 2024, water systems must submit their updated annual inventories and LSL progress reports. This increased transparency and communication are crucial steps towards addressing the ongoing issue of lead in drinking water. 

To learn more about Jersey Water Works and the Lead in Drinking Water Taskforce, join us at the July 17th membership meeting in person. Registration is free, attendees do not need to be a member of the collaborative to attend. Register today! For more information contact Jersey Water Works  (infoatjerseywaterworksdotorg)  .

Posted in Water and Sewer, Water Infrastructure

Tags: 2024 NJ Planning and Redevelopment Conference, Funding for Lead Service Line Replacement, lead, Lead free New Jersey, lead in drinking water, lead in water, lead pipe replacement, lead service line, lead service line replacement, New Jersey planning and redevelopment conference



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Millburn Deli Coming to Jersey City; Hoboken’s Beloved Losurdo’s to Close

Don Lichterman
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Millburn Deli Coming to Jersey City; Hoboken’s Beloved Losurdo’s to Close

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Openings

Millburn Deli, Jersey City

The popular Millburn Deli is expanding into Hudson County. A new location, the deli’s fifth, will open in 2025 in Jersey City’s Exchange Place neighborhood. The deli first opened in 1946 and is considered one of the best in the state. The company said a Bridgewater location may be coming soon, too.

Gregorys Coffee, Old Bridge

The NYC-based specialty coffee shop is expanding its footprint with an impending opening in Old Bridge. The new location will have a drive-thru window. Conceptualized by New Jersey native Gregory Zamfotis, Gregorys Coffee brews coffee every 30 minutes, bakes fresh pastries in-house daily, and pours custom latte art for customers. As a bonus, the shop doesn’t charge for milk alternatives—meaning guests can enjoy oat-milk lattes or almond-milk matchas at no additional cost.

Willow & Whisk, Millburn

Willow & Whisk in Millburn

Photo: Dia Ciccone/Courtesy of Willow & Whisk

This new breakfast and lunch spot puts a fun spin on breakfast and lunch favorites, such as mini brioche French toast, frittata bites, and mini lemon-ricotta poppers. Their original location remais in Wyckoff.

Closings

Losurdo’s Italian Deli & Bread Bakery, a beloved family-owned business in Hoboken since 1975, has announced its closure. “It’s with a heavy heart that we share our family business, Losurdo Brothers…will be closing its doors on Sunday, December 8, 2024,” the owners wrote on Instagram. “It has been an incredible 50 years serving the people of Hoboken and beyond.” The Losurdo brothers came to New Jersey from Italy; they operated at the same Hoboken location since their founding.

[RELATED: Hungry? Fuhgeddaboudit! These Are Hoboken’s Best Italian Bakeries, Delis and Restaurants]

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Just Jersey: The Small Business Saturday super store

Don Lichterman
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Just Jersey: The Small Business Saturday super store

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If you ever wondered whether the ‘Small Business Saturday’ initiative was more than just a marketing slogan — whether it actually had a bottom-line impact on business — ask the owners of the most unique store in the state.

Better yet, stop by ‘Just Jersey’ — the retail store just off the Morristown Green that sells products with a Jersey theme, or items created by New Jersey residents. The store, at 163 South Street, will be packed.

So said Paul Miller, who co-owns Just Jersey with Tina Bologna.

Co-owners Paul Miller, left, and Tina Bologna in front of their retail shop.

“It’s one of our biggest days of the year,” he said. “It far exceeds Black Friday for us. Friday is the malls and the big box; Saturday is for places like us.”

The truth is, there is no place quite like Just Jersey.

Consider the contents: Jersey-themed items abound, starting with coasters (name the theme or the star and it has it) are a big hit. As are the numerous food items (think pasta shaped like the state, Jersey Girl chocolate bars, handcrafted cookie mixes). There are T-shirts, jewelry, pillows, signs of all shapes and sizes (even a few made out of pieces of license plates, yellow and blue).

There are plenty of holiday ornaments, too.

The level of unique offerings never ceases to amaze: Where else could you get a ‘Real Housewives of Morris Plains’ apron?

It’s the reason why Just Jersey is a favorite of TV stations looking for a stand-up spot this holiday season — especially on Small Business Saturday.

Miller and Bologna offer another reason: Their store is not just about them – but the multitude of small business merchants from around the state who have their products on display there.

“We have more than 300 small businesses under one roof,” Miller said. “That’s who you are supporting when you shop here.”

Don’t be confused: While the concept of the store started as a holiday gift idea at the school where Miller and Bologna both had a child attending, Just Jersey is a 365-day operation. It has been since 2015.

And while Just Jersey is a small business, it courts big business.

Just Jersey has long been a go-to spot for corporate gift-giving, providing just the right ‘Welcome to Jersey’ gift box for any occasion. (Figure boxes cost between $75-$150 a piece.)

Boston Consulting Group and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield have long been customers, using the uniquely Jersey boxes as both onboarding items and holiday gifts.

In the past few years, realtors have discovered the store, often using its boxes as welcome gifts for new homeowners and thank you gifts for the sellers.

Just Jersey: What’s selling

A look at some of the top items at Just Jersey (located on South Street in Morristown) and the names of the merchant who created it.

1. Handcrafted Cookie mixes and decadent hot cocoa varieties
Dry Goods Refillery, Montclair
A one-stop shop for all of your grocery needs and gourmet foods, package and plastic-free including bulk foods, produce, dairy, home cleaning products and more.

2. Cocktail Infusions
On the Rocks Cocktail Infusions, East Hanover
Two bartenders took their skills to mixing drink infusions during Covid, when On the Rocks was launched. From classics like Old Fashioned to seasonal creations like Peppermint Espresso-Tini, they make wonderful gifts to spread holiday cheer this season.

3. Handcrafted soap
Mt. Lebanon Soap, Port Murray
The company creates beautiful natural cold process soaps with pure plant-based oils, essential oils and phthalate free fragrances. A small, family-run business, Mt. Lebanon Soap Company was established to support adorable daughter, Summer, born with Down Syndrome. In addition to providing her valuable life and work skills, as she grows, the proceeds are set aside into a special needs trust to secure a stable future.

4. New Jersey and town-themed Handmade Ornaments
Variety of makers
From wood to embroidery to pottery there are an array of handmade ornaments to choose from. The store offers ornaments that represent New Jersey, your hometown, or commemorate a special moment (first home, newlyweds or new baby).

5. Holiday and Shore-themed Glassware
Marissa Nailed It, Rockaway
Everyone has more room in their cabinet for these glasses. Made with non-toxic/food safe epoxy resin with designs that mimic ocean waves, New Jersey shapes, and holiday themes in the bottom of the glass. They are beautiful to display and use.

6. Beach Sand Jewelry
Jersey State Line, Namasand and Northern Tides
If you love the Shore (and who doesn’t?), this jewelry line incorporates actual beach sand into the design of bracelets, necklaces and rings. Together they provide a range of price points and options to satisfy every customer.

7. Handcrafted Pottery
Multiple Potters
Featuring the handcrafted work of multiple New Jersey based potters, our pottery provides functional, one-of-a-kind gift options at multiple price points. From mugs to berry bowls to a variety of serving pieces there are many beautiful options to choose from.

8. Holiday Linens
Happenstance Creations, Glen Ridge
Artist Susan Krien has created a creative and eco-conscious brand that is built on her love for the garden and nature. Her designs are based on her colorful, original art that is transferred through a printing process to the various fabrics or paper. Each year, Susan offers new holiday designs that make wonderful gifts throughout the seasons.

The uniqueness of the store has given it a global appeal. Yes, they send Jersey-themed items as far away as New Zealand.

Miller estimates on-line sales make up about 15% of all sales. And while he and Bologna would like to increase that number, they know it comes with challenges. Remember, this is a small business.

“We’re not Amazon,” Miller said. “We don’t have distribution centers; we don’t have free shipping, and we can’t turnaround orders in one day.”

They can, however, do whatever small businesses are best at: Add a personal touch.

Each shipped item comes with a hand-written note from Bologna, the only one of the two who has legible handwriting, they joke.

That personal touch is why the store figures to be jumping on Small Business Saturday – one of three huge days for the store.

The other two? National New Jersey Day (July 27) and Christmas Eve.

“Trust me, on Dec. 24, we’ll have plenty of men with their faces pressed up against the door, searching for that unique last-minute gift,” Miller jokes.

Miller and Bologna will gladly take the sale. They’ve got the goods. It’s why they are such a small business success story.



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CRDA To Hear Planning Applications For AC Marijuana Growing Facility And Three Dispensaries

Don Lichterman
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CRDA To Hear Planning Applications For AC Marijuana Growing Facility And Three Dispensaries

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Three new retail cannabis dispensaries and one 125,000-foot cannabis growing facility are seeking permission to open in Atlantic City. The dispensaries are looking to occupy existing buildings that were previously a soup kitchen, a check-cashing location and a video rental store, while the growing facility would be a newly-constructed building covering most of a city block. The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, the state body that oversees planning in Atlantic City’s tourism and business districts, will hold a public hearing on Sept. 15 to discuss the plans (an earlier hearing on Aug. 18 was postponed).

A company called Starboard Enterprises is seeking to build a cannabis growing facility just two blocks from the retail outlets known as The Walk. The company is proposing building a class 1 and class 2 facility on the 1700 block of Atlantic Ave, between Indiana and Martin Luther King Avenues, with parking for 75 vehicles. The project’s investors include Jon Cohn and Craig McHugh who run a growing facility in Exton, PA called Agri-Kind. Part of the site is city-owned property that would be conveyed to the owners of the project under a city ordinance. The owners could not immediately be reached for comment.

CRDA will also hear an application to open a marijuana dispensary at the former video rental store at 3112 Atlantic Avenue, between Montpelier and Chelsea Avenues. That application is from a company called Legal Distribution which names four local owners from Absecon, Egg Harbor Township, Margate and Atlantic City. The owners did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

Everest Dispensary, meanwhile, is seeking approval to open a dispensary at 1226 Atlantic Avenue between South Carolina and South Chalfonte Aves, replacing a check-cashing office. The project is backed by owners in Oxnard, California, who did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Ron Seagraves, the owner of 1226 Atlantic Ave, said he was not connected with the California-based investors but that he understood they already operate dispensaries there. “I was surprised that they approached me and they want to buy my building where I’ve been operating a check cashing store for 30 years,” he said, adding that he believed it was a perfect site within the permitted zone for cannabis locations. “Anything where somebody’s improving Atlantic City [and] spending money is probably going to be good for the city,” he said, adding that he hoped it would be approved.

PG Health is looking to open a dispensary at the former site of Sister Jean’s soup kitchen at Victory First Presbyterian Church, which was condemned two years ago. Sister Jean’s soup kitchen was moved further north along Pennsylvania Ave to Saint Monica’s church but it has not yet been able to reopen because the building needs substantial repair work. PG Health’s dispensary application is backed by two women from Cherry Hill who did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Atlantic City council on Wednesday heard an ordinance that would expand the list of “permitted cannabis establishment locations.”



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Pet Licensing & Permits | Cherry Hill Township, NJ

Don Lichterman
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Pet Licensing & Permits | Cherry Hill Township, NJ

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License Applications

Pets must be registered with the Township annually. You can apply online or via mail by printing the application. Applications must be accompanied by a copy of the current rabies vaccination certificate. Rabies Certificate must be valid through October 31st of the license year. If the certificate is not valid through October 31st, the license cannot be processed. 

Dog Licenses are valid January 1st through December 31st and are not prorated.

Cat Licenses are valid August 1st through July 31st and are not prorated.

CHIP apply now II

Pet License Application (PDF)

Fees


 Initial License License Renewal License Renewal Late
Neutered $22.20 $22.20 $47.20
Not Neutered $25.20 $25.20 $50.20

Renewal Dates

Dogs – January 1st
Late fee assessed after February 1st.
Cats – August 1st.
Late fee assessed after September 1st.

Rabies Clinic

Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Department of Public Works Complex, 1 Perina Blvd. 

Dogs and/or cats must be over 3 months

New Jersey requires all dogs to be licensed and inoculated against rabies. Cherry Hill Township will also be registering dogs for the 2025 calendar year.

Additional Information

For additional information, please contact the Municipal Clerk’s Office by calling 856-488-7892.

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Horse-Caring Helps Veterans With PTSD : Newsroom

Don Lichterman
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Horse-Caring Helps Veterans With PTSD : Newsroom

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Veterans with PTSD in a Rutgers pilot study, including U.S. Army Lt. Colonel Eric “Moose” Petrevich (at right), found working with horses eased their symptoms. Equine specialist Jane Burrows (left) of Special Strides coaches Lt. Col. Petrevich with a specially trained horse. Petrevich wears an electromyography sensor that measures stress. Photo credit: Kyle Hartmann/Rutgers Equine Science Center.

A study by Rutgers University-New Brunswick researchers has shown that military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), who participated in a program caring for horses, experienced an improved mental outlook and easing of symptoms.

Reporting results of the study in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, researchers said the insights could open the door to a new approach in mental health treatment for veterans, as many currently drop out of conventional therapy programs even though they have been shown to be effective.

“When I think about what our veterans with PTSD struggle with, the results make sense,” said Andrea Quinn, an author of the study and assistant director of the Center for Psychological Services in the Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP).

“Some of the most widely used psychotherapy interventions for PTSD … have shown that about one-third of participants drop out prior to the completion of treatment. This number is even higher in military veteran populations – somewhere between 50 and 60 percent – and therefore, studies looking at alternative treatments are valuable.” Andrea Quinn.

Veterans with PTSD often dwell in the past, she said, and exhibit a hypervigilance to what is going on around them and what might be coming.

“In the study, the veterans had to perform tasks requiring them to be very much in the moment,” Quinn said. “They were keeping themselves calm, and centering on the activity that was right in front of them – talking with the horses, brushing them, leading them. This kind of present-moment focus is a skill that can be developed and may help the symptoms of PTSD to feel more manageable.”

Ellen Rankins, the first author on the paper and a doctoral student at the time, worked closely with the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Rankins recruited nine veterans to the study, all of whom had served in combat. Six were monitored as they engaged in equine-assisted activity, a horsemanship program where professionals guide people through activities with horses to enhance human physical and mental health.

For purposes of comparison, a control group of the remaining three veterans continued their normal, everyday activities without any visits to the farm.  

“We wanted to understand the effects of the interactions on the veterans and the horses, especially in terms of their physiological and behavioral responses during eight sessions,” said Rankins, now a postdoctoral associate at the Temple Grandin Equine Center at Colorado State University.

The study was conducted in 2022 by the Rutgers Equine Science Center, a part of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station in New Brunswick, N.J. The researchers partnered with the organization, Special Strides in Monroe Township, which is where the study took place. Special Strides representatives provided the facilities, staff and trained horses. 

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Eric “Moose” Petrevich finishes up an equine assisted services session as part of a study on a new treatment for veterans with PTSD. Photo credit:
Kyle Hartmann/Rutgers Equine Science Center.

To start, participants completed questionnaires and reported any recent symptoms of PTSD, which may include flashbacks of traumatic events, anger outbursts, feelings of being under attack and sleep difficulties. They underwent blood tests checking for hormone concentrations involved in the stress response – norepinephrine, epinephrine and cortisol – as well as oxytocin, which promotes positive feelings. Those concentrations were measured twice more, midway through the study and at its conclusion.

Some of the veterans had never seen a horse up close before. They were taught how to communicate with their assigned horse as well as basic horse grooming techniques and how to lead a horse using a halter and lead.

Rankins said the participants’ military training helped them ease into the program.

“They are used to having that chain of command in place and understanding that ‘I am the leader, I need to be telling the horse where to go. And he’s looking to me for that,’” Rankins said.

Concentrations of stress hormones in the participating veterans, the researchers found, were high at the beginning of the sessions but decreased over time. Oxytocin concentrations remained the same. Participants reported having fewer PTSD symptoms after the program concluded. In contrast, hormone concentrations and PTSD symptoms among human members of the control group remained high throughout.

“Veterans reported more positive interactions with their horses starting in week 3 and this change was retained through the end of the sessions,” Rankins said.

In addition, scientists conducting the research also found preliminary evidence of a phenomenon known as co-regulation, in which the body rhythms of the veterans and the horses they worked with started to sync. Rankins said she plans to conduct a more detailed investigation of this occurrence.

Veterans in the control group also were permitted to take the horsemanship course after finishing the eight-week study period.  

The horses in the horsemanship exercises showed no symptoms of stress when compared with horses separated from the sessions, said Karyn Malinowski, a co-author of the study and a professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.

“This is important because there is an increasing amount of concern among the general population for equine welfare,” said Malinowski, also the Founding Director of the Rutgers Equine Science Center. “The research demonstrated that horses involved in this activity did not display any indicators of stress.”

On average, PTSD is slightly more common among veterans than civilians, according to the National Center for PTSD in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. At some point, seven out of every 100 veterans will have PTSD. In the general population, six out of every 100 adults will have PTSD in their lifetime.

However, the number of veterans with PTSD varies by service era. Surveys conducted by the VA show that veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom based in Afghanistan have the highest rates of PTSD, with 29 percent of its veterans experiencing it at some point. The group with the second highest rate of PTSD, according to VA studies, are veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq, with 21 percent experiencing PTSD.

Research also shows that deployment increases the risk of PTSD.

Sadly, veterans often have more difficulty than civilians with treatment programs, according to Quinn, who works with veterans in her capacity as director of the Rutgers Anxiety Disorders Clinic, a specialty clinic under the umbrella of GSAPP’s Center for Psychological Services.

“Some of the most widely used psychotherapy interventions for PTSD, such as Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy, have shown that about one-third of participants drop out prior to the completion of treatment,” Quinn said. “This number is even higher in military veteran populations – somewhere between 50 and 60 percent – and therefore, studies looking at alternative treatments are valuable.”

The researchers plan to extend their studies from this pilot study to gain more data to further validate the equine approach.

“Studies like this are important because information on the effectiveness of different interventions for PTSD is used in guiding policy and funding decisions,” Rankins said. “Having data to support the efficacy of incorporating horses into treatments for PTSD makes it more likely that these types of interventions are available for veterans and others who face PTSD.

This article first appeared in Rutgers Today.



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Bite into this professor’s podcast on the enduring allure of vampires

Don Lichterman
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Bite into this professor’s podcast on the enduring allure of vampires

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English professor Harriet Hustis is an expert on the eerie.

She studies gothic literature from the 18th–21st century, and has published scholarship on Dracula, Frankenstein, and Jekyll and Hyde.

In June, she bit into something even scarier to her than horror novels and tried to take her monster scholarship into newer technology. So, long before Halloween season, Hustis spent a week learning about podcasting, content creation, and technology through the National Humanities Center’s Virtual Podcasting Institute.

Podcast cover art: The Call is Coming from Inside the House

Out of this experience came a hair-raising podcast episode on the blood-sucking creatures who have populated our scary stories for centuries, from Count Dracula and Carmilla to Edward Cullen and Stefan Salvatore. In the episode, Hustis and three other college professors from across the country discuss the evolution of vampire storytelling.

Here, Hustis talks about fear — of both monsters and podcasting.

Q: ’Tis the season for your scholarship. As we bite into our Halloween candy, what should we know about gothic literature?

A: From the start, gothic literature was a genre associated with suspense, secrets, mysteries, and the macabre. As time went on, works of gothic literature became populated with strange and dangerous figures — monsters, demons, witches, sociopaths, and, of course, vampires.

At its core, the genre of the gothic is about the confrontation between innocence and whatever a particular culture identifies as “evil” or “dangerous.”

 Q: What’s the allure of vampires, in particular?

A: Vampires offer a way for us — as readers or viewers — to confront the things that unnerve us. While horror is typically about what terrifies us, what makes vampires and the gothic interesting is that we’re simultaneously frightened and curious — they always operate at an intersection between fear and desire. You can see this over and over again in vampire stories: characters who want to run away, but don’t — or at least not until it’s too late.

Q: Scary. But how do they reflect our desires?

A: Vampires are linked to the aristocracy and wealth. They function in a world of castles or mansions. Even a figure like Twilight’s Edward Cullen is basically an aristocrat of teen culture: he’s mysterious and good-looking and is out enjoying things that others who lack power and privilege don’t have access to. Money and (male) power are measures of “value.”

The popularity of vampires has ultimately shifted the way they’re represented: they’re still “other” and “different,” but we’ve also appropriated that “difference” because that’s what patriarchal, imperialist, and capitalist cultures always seek to do — to claim for ourselves whatever appears to be powerful.

Q: What is more frightening: the monsters you study or learning how to produce a podcast?

A. The scariest thing about podcasting is really the same scary thing that accompanies any attempt to put your ideas and your “voice” out in the world. You think you’ll “sound stupid,” that you’ll say the wrong thing, or that the ideas that interest you will bore everyone else.

I was really lucky because I was randomly assigned to a team of fellow podcasters who shared my interests, so we quickly created a space where we were able to bounce ideas off of each other and feel supported. The challenge, of course, was that we also had to learn the technology and create the content simultaneously — I was really glad that we were able to find ways to laugh and have fun while doing that.

— Corinne Coakley ’25

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Ballamor Golf Club

Don Lichterman
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Ballamor Golf Club

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Ballamor Golf Club

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“A Pocketful of Christmas” by The NEW Bardōts

Don Lichterman
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“A Pocketful of Christmas” by The NEW Bardōts

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By Bob Makin

originally published: 11/29/2024

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “A Pocketful of Christmas,” a fifth holiday single in as many years by the all-star band The NEW Bardōts and the title track of their new holiday EP. PHOTO COURTESY OF BONGO  BOY RECORDS

​​​​​​​The air cooling, the wind blowing, and leaves falling down signal the time for The NEW Bardōts to keep a band tradition alive by releasing a new holiday song.

Complete with tubular bells and an angelic choir mixed with a gentle touch of rock ‘n’ roll, the original “A Pocketful of Christmas” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “A Pocketful of Christmas” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Nov. 29 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.

With “A Pocketful Of Christmas,” the band said they hope to bring out the spirit of the holidays to listeners of all ages.

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info

Written by vocalist-harmonicist Wayne Olivieri and guitarist Gar Francis, recorded by bassist Dan Skye and produced by all three at Dan’s legendary Skylab Studios in Roosevelt, the track also features drummer Johnnie Rago and keyboardist John Croot.

“A Pocketful Of Christmas” is the fifth NEW Bardōts holiday song in as many years and the title track of a new EP that also features the other four: “Santa Don’t Like Politics,” If Santa Clause Were President,” “Never Too Much Christmas,” and a cover of The Band’s “Christmas Must Be Tonight,” which was a Coolest Song in the World on Little Steven’s Underground Garage last year. The good rockin’ collection on Bongo Boy Records is full of fun holiday cheer!

While there isn’t a video for the “A Pocketful of Christmas” single, the band have done astonishingly well in that department with the clip for “Corporation Businessman.” The video for the biting socio-economic satire has won 19 awards, including Best Music Video at Cannes Continental Film Festival and Calcutta International Cult Film Festival and from Luis Bunuel Memorial Awards and Royal Society of Television & Motion Picture Awards.

For more about The NEW Bardōts, click https://bongoboyrecords.com/thenewbardots.

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at makinwaves64@yahoo.com.

New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin’s Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.

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2025 holiday beach badge sale starts Dec. 2 – Star News Group

Don Lichterman
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2025 holiday beach badge sale starts Dec. 2 – Star News Group

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LAVALLETTE — The borough of Lavallette is beginning its annual holiday beach badge sale next week, just in time for the winter holiday season.

From Monday, Dec. 2, to Tuesday, Dec. 31, beach badges for 2025 will be available for purchase at the municipal building — either as a Christmas gift for loved ones, or for bathers who simply wish to get their badges early.

Regular season badges for people ages 12 and up will be available for $60, while discounted senior badges will cost $20. Kids ages 12 and under do not need a beach badge.

The badge sales will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays during the sale, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Saturdays of Dec. 7, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21. The sale will not run on Sundays or on Saturday, Dec. 28. Only walk-in sales will be accepted Visa, MasterCard and Discover card payments can be accepted, with a 3% charge added. American Express will not be accepted.

The Lavallette municipal building is located at 1306 Grand Central Ave.

This is an excerpt of the print article. For more on this story, read The Ocean Star—on newsstands Friday or online in our e-Edition.

Check out our other Lavallette stories, updated daily. And remember to pick up a copy of The Ocean Star—on newsstands Friday or online in our e-Edition.

Subscribe today! If you’re not already an annual subscriber to The Ocean Star, get your subscription today! For just $38 per year, you will receive local mail delivery weekly, with pages and pages of local news and online access to our e-edition on Starnewsgroup.com.

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Partnership to Accelerate Supply Chain Ecosystem for Energy Storage Solutions

Don Lichterman
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Partnership to Accelerate Supply Chain Ecosystem for Energy Storage Solutions

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Energy

On Nov 27, 2024

Edison-based Eos Energy Enterprises, Inc., a provider of zinc-based long duration energy storage systems, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Wabash, a provider of advanced engineering and operational solutions for the transportation, logistics, and distribution industries. The proposed partnership would accelerate Eos’ ability to deliver large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) through Wabash’s manufacturing and supply chain expertise and national distribution network.

“Partnering with a powerhouse like Wabash has the potential to transform the market for American manufactured battery energy storage solutions,” said Eos’ Chief Executive Officer Joe Mastrangelo. “We believe this partnership would disrupt a historically inefficient and fragmented supply chain and transform it into a seamless, scalable, and highly integrated ecosystem. With Wabash, we would be able to more efficiently scale our operations and offer customers unmatched reliability and performance, while breaking the boundaries of what is available at the system level today.”

Brent Yeagy, president and CEO of Wabash, added: “The opportunity with Eos allows us to utilize our strengths in operations, strategic sourcing, manufacturing system design, and logistics to help drive innovation in the energy storage market. By streamlining Eos’ supply chain and leveraging our network and operational expertise, we can provide Eos with critical scale and support to match surging market demand for advanced battery storage technologies.”

According to Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables, U.S. energy storage deployments are projected to reach 251 GWh over the next four years, on average 2x the current rate of deployments today, driven primarily by large utility-scale projects. With Eos’ ZnythTM technology at the core of its Z3 battery module and Wabash’s robust logistical support and infrastructure, the proposed partnership is expected to significantly scale BESS manufacturing to meet growing industry demand for world-class, fully integrated, and cost-effective energy storage solutions.

The non-binding MOU outlines a strategic framework for developing a potential partnership focused on streamlining supply chain processes, while deploying advanced operational capabilities that are designed to significantly improve the Eos’ systems footprint density. As Eos continues to innovate and expand, this partnership is expected to set a new standard for how BESS are designed, distributed, and delivered, offering a seamless solution that meets the energy needs of the future.

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

Related Articles:

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Library Science | New Jersey League of Municipalities

Don Lichterman
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Library Science | New Jersey League of Municipalities

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Sample Position Descriptions

Librarian

Responsible for managing and delivering library services and resources to the community. This role oversees library operations and curating collections. A librarian also provides assistance to library patrons and plans and organizes community programs and events.

Circulation Manager

Oversees the daily operations of the library’s circulation department, ensuring efficient and effective management of library materials and services. This role involves supervising staff, managing circulation processes, and enhancing user experiences.

=""Typical Education Levels

High School – Master’s Degrees

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Blues’ Quick Start Propels Them to 3-0 Win Over Devils – The Hockey Writers – NHL News

Don Lichterman
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Blues’ Quick Start Propels Them to 3-0 Win Over Devils – The Hockey Writers – NHL News

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The New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues met for the first time this season at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Jacob Markstrom was honored for his 500th game with a ceremony before puck drop. He received a Rolex and a silver stick to commemorate the accomplishment. Unfortunately for Markstrom, the happiness didn’t last long, as the Blues won 3-0. The Devils have continued a strange trend: winning 11 of their last 15, but all four losses were shutouts. Jordan Binnington stopped all 30 in this one, his first shutout of the season. He became the Blues’ all-time win leader, surpassing Mike Liut with his 152nd victory.

The Devils gave up a goal to Robert Thomas just 11 seconds in. It’s hard to fault Markstrom, though – Nico Hischier was tripped, which led to a 2-on-1, but it wasn’t called. Afterward, Sheldon Keefe said, “In my opinion, there was a missed call there.”

That seemed to deflate the Devils. Dylan Holloway scored about six minutes later on the power play to double the Blues’ lead. Ten minutes after that, Holloway scored again after Markstrom let up a juicy rebound. At the end of the first, the Blues had a 3-0 lead and Markstrom had stopped minus-2.34 goals above expected (via Natural Stat Trick).

In the second period, the play completely flipped, but the Devils had nothing to show for it. The Devils outshot the Blues 11-1 in the frame, but Binnington stood on his head. The score remained 3-0 after two.

The beginning of the third period was more of the same – the Devils dominated time of possession but couldn’t find twine. In fact, the Blues went over 24 minutes without registering a single shot on goal. The Blues finally got back on the shot counter, but the rest of the game was a snooze fest. The Blues were perfectly content with that, riding it all the way to their second straight victory under coach Jim Montgomery.

The Blues have improved to 11-12-1 on the season; the Devils fall to 15-8-2. The Blues will be back in action at home against the Philadelphia Flyers, at 7:00 PM on Saturday night. The Devils will play the Detroit Red Wings at 3:00 PM on Friday.

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Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 11/27/2024

Don Lichterman
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Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 11/27/2024

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Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:

 

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The reasons for that is that the Democratic leadership in the state party have largely been complacent for a long time and haven’t focused on building any infrastructure and because the state party has viewed New Jersey as reliably blue.” – Jersey City Mayor Fulop

 

TOP STORY: Sumter Confident of Positive Resolution to LD-35 Collision Course

 

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing

 

The Morning Intelligence Briefing will be off tomorrow and Friday, and will return on Monday. We wish all of our readers a Happy Thanksgiving and holiday weekend.

 

Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Power publication.

 

More than 2M New Jerseyans will travel 50 miles or more this Thanksgiving, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

 

An attorney for Nadine Menendez is seeking a trial delay over a January 6th case conflict, according to NJ Monitor.

 

The state ranks 49th for fluoride-treated water, according to NJ Spotlight.

 

A plan to force residents to bring in their birdfeeders is ruffling feathers, according to NJ.com.

 

The Wharton State Forest vehicle roadmap was finalized but motorists say its too restrictive, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

 

Senator-elect Kim discusses his Philly roots, Trump’s Cabinet, and next steps for Democrats, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

 

Garden State Equality commended Republican Mike DuHaime for speaking out against the House GOP’s bathroom access restrictions.

 

Moxie Strategies expanded its team and geography.

 

ICYMI: Gottheimer launched campaign for Governor; Sherrill launched candidacy for Governor; Democrats lost strength; voters aren’t familiar w/ guv candidates; Murphy addressed the loss of Democratic strength

 

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing

 

The GOP smells blood in the gubernatorial race, according to the Hill.

 

In LD35, Assemblywoman Sumter is confident of a positive resolution to the collision course for the Senate seat.

 

In LD36, Republican Musto launched an Assembly bid, according to NJ Globe.

 

In LD39, Pallotta is eying an Assembly candidacy in the GOP primary.

 

Bill Spadea slammed Jack Ciattarelli for not mirroring Trump’s immigration views, according to NJ Globe.

 

Rep. Gottheimer launched his first digital ad for his gubernatorial campaign. Gottheimer gave $37k to the HCDO ahead of the party’s potential switch to Sherrill, according to Hudson County View.

 

‘Door-to-Door Democracy’ endorsed Rep. Sherrill for Governor.

 

Former Senator Durr hasn’t raised any money for his gubernatorial bid, according to Politico NJ.

 

ICYMI: Fulop’s palpitating moves; insiders tried to make sense of the presidential election; Auth playing long game; guv candidates converged at League, Sherrill made the rounds, Sweeney flexed political muscle; Bergen shifted more red; more Assembly candidates joined Fulop slate; Sweeney allies see path to victory; guv race taking shape; Baraka allies energized; firefighter unions split over guv race; Dems ready to find themselves; Hispanic Democratic dissatisfaction has grown; Bramnick faces difficult path; Ciattarelli sees advantages; Duarte looking ahead to 2025

 

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing

 

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing

 

In Hoboken, Hudson Executive Guy and Chair Romano called on the commissioners to approve public safety upgrades funding for the city.

 

In Atlantic City, the ‘hard work is paying off‘ in the Chelsea neighborhood, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

 

In Edison, the council banned the American flag and other ‘props’ at meetings, according to MyCentralJersey.

 

In Hasbrouck Heights, GOP officials endorsed Ciattarelli for Governor, according to NJ Globe.

 

In Lakewood, the town hasn’t responded to a minister seeking a permit to help the poor, according to the Asbury Park Press.

 

In Little Falls, officials are taking action to comply with new flooding guidelines, according to TAPinto.

 

In Maplewood, Democrats pulled their support of the mayoral candidate after she refused to endorse Rep. Sherrill for Governor, according to NJ Globe.

 

In Morris Plains, residents continue to push back against a proposed McDonald’s, according to NJ Hills.

 

In Nutley, the town has a new trash collection scheme, according to TAPinto.

 

In Ocean City, residents spoke out against Bible study on school time, according to the Press of Atlantic City. There was a packed turnout for a public glimpse of Wonderland hotel plans, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

 

ICYMI: In Morristown, familiar name resurfacing; in Marlboro, sign-stealing an issue; in Howell, GOP won election; in Marlboro, voters elected split BOE ticket; in Hoboken, Councilwoman Giattino passed away; in Howell, little unity w/in GOP; in Marlboro, tensions rising in the BOE race

 

 

AROUND THE WEB:

 

ICE explores expanding NJ immigrant detention facilities, potentially adding 600 beds

Jeff Gammage, The Philadelphia Inquirer

 

  • ICE is exploring proposals to expand its capacity to detain immigrants in New Jersey, potentially adding 600 beds in at least two facilities, according to information provided through a lawsuit filed by the ACLU.

 

After 30-hour trip on the Hudson, the first arch for NJ Transit’s rail bridge is in place

James M. O’Neill, NorthJersey.com

 

  • The first of three giant arches that will support a new railroad bridge over the Hackensack River has been moved into place at the construction site, and NJ Transit and Amtrak officials gave the media a tour of the arch Tuesday. The arches will help support the new Portal North Bridge spanning the Hackensack between Kearny and Secaucus, replacing the 114-year old Portal Bridge, a swing bridge that often gets stuck, causing frustrating delays for Amtrak and NJ Transit riders.

 

What will that surgery cost? Group says NJ hospitals aren’t posting prices correctly

Scott Fallon, NorthJersey.com

 

  • The push in recent years to require hospitals to post their prices online had a simple but profound goal: Patients could shop around for the first time, forcing competition among health care providers and ultimately lowering costs or at least keeping them stable.

 

Gov. Murphy’s congestion pricing vendetta harms New Jerseyans | Opinion

Charles Komanoff

 

  • A week after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul exhumed the nation’s first congestion pricing program, opposition to the toll plan from the suburbs continues unabated. A lawsuit in federal court by Phil Murphy, one of nine court cases seeking to block the program, is considered opponents’ best shot at holding up the tolls before president-elect Donald Trump takes office in January.

 

Mass deportation will have a greater impact than backers bargained for | Quigley

Joan Quigley, For The Jersey Journal

 

  • How you ever done something or ordered something that seemed like a good idea at the time but turned to be not at all what you expected? Recently l ordered a beautiful summer dress to wear to a special event. When it arrived I was shocked to find it had no back. The online photo showed a high-necked front but didn’t reveal it dipped to the waist in back.

 

See what Monmouth’s Mall demolition looks like – November 2024

Matt Brandt, NJ1015

 

  • It’s been a while since we’ve thought about the Monmouth Mall. The reason for that, however, is pretty obvious. The property is being completely transformed. It is, however, a smart move. As time goes by, shopping habits change, and so does the type of shopping experience we prefer. But it goes even deeper than that. How and where people hang out also changes over time. Today, in particular, people tend to prefer open-air environments as opposed to being enclosed. And that’s one of the reasons why the Monmouth Mall is undergoing the changes it is.

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The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Celebrates its Bicentennial – Morris County, NJ

Don Lichterman
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The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Celebrates its Bicentennial – Morris County, NJ

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Published on October 31, 2024

County Commissioners Honor Office for 200 Years of Service

2024 MCPO Bicentennial Gala The Morris County Board of County Commissioners honored the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) during a bicentennial dinner gala last night at the Park Savoy Estate in Florham Park, marking the office’s 200 years of dedicated service to law and public safety.

Commissioner Douglas Cabana, joined by the full Board of County Commissioners, presented a framed resolution of honor to Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll and his leadership team in recognition of the MCPO’s bicentennial.

“Since 1824 the Prosecutor’s Office has been entrusted with promoting a safe and secure environment for Morris County, and I think we can all agree that they have done an exemplary job,” said Commissioner Cabana, the board’s liaison to the law enforcement in Morris County. “Morris County stands today as one of the safest counties in the state, if not the country. The strength of the institution we honor tonight lies, of course, in its people.”

Representatives from the offices of U.S. Rep. Tom Kean and U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, Sheriff James Gannon and Atlantic County Prosecutor William E. Reynolds also presented honors and praised Prosecutor Carroll and the MCPO for their work. Among those in attendance was retired Appellate Court Judge Donald Collester, who became Morris County’s first full-time prosecutor in 1971 and served until 1977 before becoming a Superior Court judge.

Seated with him during the gala were retired Superior Court JudgesStephen Smith and Thomas Critchley, who continues to serve on recall duty. The event was attended by other sitting judges as well as current and past members of the prosecutor’s office, including former Morris County Prosecutors Fredric Knapp and Robert Bianchi.

View Photos from the MCPO Bicentennial Dinner Gala

The MCPO was established on December 11, 1823, when the New Jersey General Assembly passed legislation requiring prosecutors to be attorneys appointed for five-year terms — a practice that continues today. George K. Drake, the first “Prosecutor of the Pleas,” took office on December 20, 1824.

Prosecutor Carroll was appointed to his five-year term by Governor Phil Murphy in 2020.

“As the chief law enforcement agency serving a region that predates the founding of our nation, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office aims to build upon the foundation and commitment to justice demonstrated by the men and women who have served before us,” said Prosecutor Carroll. “Our dedication to lawfulness is the cornerstone of our office’s mission – committing resources in partnership with the law enforcement community, our County Government and Sheriff’s Office and most importantly, the citizens of Morris County, all working together to promote a safe and secure environment.”

Since its founding, the MCPO has evolved to address the changing needs of county residents. Under the guidance of Prosecutor Carroll, First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood and Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, the office has upheld a legacy of excellence in investigating major criminal enterprises and addressing critical issues impacting the community.

From bringing closure to the decades-old “Baby Mary” cold case to tackling the opioid crisis, the MCPO has taken on some of the county’s most pressing challenges. Their efforts have earned commendations from numerous law enforcement agencies and strengthened trust within the community. Among the many awards and honors earned by the MCPO, Prosecutor Carroll was recently named Prosecutor of the Year by the New Jersey Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association.

“Law enforcement cannot exist without community support,” said Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, who served as Deputy Chief of Investigations for the MCPO from 1986 to 2007. “This is something that the Prosecutor’s Office has understood from the beginning. We are a county that takes action, that gets out into neighborhoods and offers solutions.”

“Celebrating 200 years of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office is a remarkable milestone, and we owe a debt of gratitude to everyone who has served here. Our county’s rich history is grounded in the assurance that we live in a place where justice and safety are paramount,” said Commissioner Director Christine Myers.

Myers, who serves on the Morris County’s 250th Anniversary Steering Committee, also noted that the MCPO’s bicentennial aligns with the upcoming America250 celebrations in 2026 as the county prepares to honor our nation’s 250th anniversary.

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Photo: (l-r) Commissioner Thomas Mastrangelo, Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw, Commissioner Director Christine Myers, Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Commissioners Douglas Cabana, John Krickus, Tayfun Selen and Deborah Smith.

 

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New Jersey’s Housing Landscape: The Mount Laurel Doctrine and the Search for the Missing Middle

Don Lichterman
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New Jersey’s Housing Landscape: The Mount Laurel Doctrine and the Search for the Missing Middle

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July 30th, 2024 by Tim Evans

The rising costs of housing in New Jersey are affecting everyone, especially individuals and households at the lower end of the income spectrum. New Jersey’s unique Mount Laurel doctrine is meant to address the need for housing for lower-income households, but it also indirectly has a major effect on the supply of market-rate multi-family units in the process. The process by which towns satisfy their affordable housing obligations does not guarantee a full range of housing options for a full range of household types and incomes. The Mount Laurel requirements ought to serve as a prompt for towns to think holistically about their housing supply in general—how much and what types of housing will they need to accommodate the needs of future residents?

Panelists in the session “Knowing the Numbers: Housing Allocation, Patterns of Development and the Future of Housing” at the 2024 Planning and Redevelopment Conference discussed the current state of affairs in housing in New Jersey, for affordable housing and beyond. Moderator Creigh Rahenkamp, Principal of CRA, LLC, and Tim Evans, Research Director at New Jersey Future, gave background about the housing supply in general, and Katherine Payne, Director of Land Use, Fair Share Housing Center; Graham Petto, Principal, Topology; and David Kinsey, Partner, Kinsey & Hand talked about what to expect from the latest changes to the state’s system of incentivizing affordable housing. Panelists all agreed that the Mount Laurel system is necessary but not sufficient to provide the full range of housing options that New Jersey’s future population will need.

 “Mount Laurel” and Affordable Housing

The Mount Laurel doctrine refers to a series of New Jersey Supreme Court decisions that direct municipalities to provide their “fair share” of the regional need for low- and moderate-income housing. For many years, enforcement of the requirements was the responsibility of the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH), but the Council was effectively dissolved in 2015 when the Court deemed it ineffective and handed enforcement authority back to the judicial system. Payne cited her organization’s 2023 report Dismantling Exclusionary Zoning: New Jersey’s Blueprint for Overcoming Segregation to point out that the annual production of affordable units increased substantially after 2015 under the subsequent more rigorous court oversight. (She pointed out that the vast majority of affordable housing is produced in the form of multifamily housing.) The report also found that most of the overall growth in multifamily housing (primarily apartments) over the same time period has been achieved in inclusionary Mount Laurel projects, projects that contain both income-restricted and market-rate units, to the extent that 81% of all multifamily units built since 2015 were built in connection with the Mount Laurel process. Reinforcing this relationship, Evans cited data showing certificates of occupancy (COs) for multifamily housing rising in the post-COAH era (see Figure 1 ) to the point where multifamily units now account for more than half of all housing production. “This shift in permitting activity is being driven by Mount Laurel-associated re-zonings,” Payne said.

Production of multifamily housing has increased steadily in the post-COAH era. More than 4 out of 5 multifamily units built since 2015 are associated with Mount Laurel projects, either as affordable units or as market-rate units that are part of mixed-income projects.

 

Administration of the Mount Laurel process has recently undergone another significant change with the passage of new legislation, in the form of Assembly Bill 4/Senate Bill 50 this year. Among other things, the legislation sets up an oversight mechanism within the executive branch and directs the Department of Community Affairs to implement a methodology for determining municipal affordable housing obligations, based on three factors—income capacity, non-residential property valuation, and developable land. While the rules will take time to create, Petto said municipalities can and should get started now in preparing plans for compliance, including thinking about where in town the Mount Laurel units will be located and how to earn extra credit for certain types and locations. Kinsey mentioned that the legislation allows for bonus credits for such features as proximity to public transportation, special-needs or supportive housing, and redevelopment of a retail, office, or commercial site.

Redevelopment as the New Paradigm

Many new Mount Laurel units will be constructed in redevelopment areas, if the overall pattern of population growth in recent years is any indication. Evans showed that most of the state’s housing growth over the last decade and a half has been happening in already-built-out areas (see Figure 2 ).

Redevelopment is the new normal: An increasing share of New Jersey’s housing growth has been happening in already-built places.

It is clear that “built-out” does not necessarily mean “full,” and that redevelopment areas offer plenty of opportunities for municipalities to create more housing, both for Mount Laurel and market-rate. As such, the new legislation requires municipalities to develop plans for “conversion or redevelopment of unused or underutilized property, including existing structures if necessary, to assure the achievement of the municipality’s fair share” of affordable housing.

The “Missing Middle” Is Still Missing

Payne reminded listeners that the Mount Laurel doctrine originally arose when the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that municipalities cannot practice “exclusionary zoning,” by which they effectively exclude lower-income households by writing their zoning codes to allow nothing but single-family detached homes, which are less affordable to households of modest means. Such zoning is still very common: “About 75% of land in major US cities is zoned exclusively for single-family housing, which has implications for access to opportunity,” Payne said.

While the Mount Laurel process was set up to ensure the provision of housing for lower-income households, it does not address other types of housing that are left out by exclusionary zoning and are thus in short supply. The wide array of housing options between single-family detached units on one end of the scale and large apartment buildings on the other are often called the “missing middle,” because many places simply don’t plan for them. This includes options like duplexes, triplexes, small apartment buildings, apartments above stores, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), a category that itself includes small, separate units that are attached to or on the same property as a larger unit, like above-garage apartments or “in-law suites.” Evans illustrated how housing units in 2-, 3-, and 4-unit buildings have declined as a share of total housing units, from 30% of all units in 1950 to half that share as of 2021 (see Figure 3 ). Kinsey further noted that the number of units in structures with 2 to 4 units has actually decreased in absolute terms, dropping from about 514,000 in 1970 to about 490,000 in 2020.

“Missing middle” housing options in buildings with 2 to 4 units have declined dramatically since 1950 as a share of total housing units.

Another conference session, “We’re Missing Middle Housing in New Jersey: How to Fix It,” was devoted entirely to these missing options and strategies to bring them back. One of the speakers in that session, Karla Georges of the national American Planning Association, identified states where “missing middle” housing bills have passed, including Washington, Colorado (HB1316 and HB1175, and Arizona. Kinsey mentioned one modest New Jersey effort, bill S2347 currently being considered by the legislature, that would authorize ADUs statewide. Meanwhile, some New Jersey municipalities have legalized ADUs on their own, without waiting for statewide legislation.

In any event, while New Jersey is ahead of most of the rest of the country in having the Mount Laurel doctrine and its supporting legislation, this is insufficient as a mechanism for ensuring the production of a full range of housing types, without which people will continue to migrate out of New Jersey in search of cheaper options. As New Urbanist pioneer Peter Calthorpe has observed at the national level, “We cannot build this country on subsidized housing. We’re never going to get the end result. We have to create the context, the policies, and the zoning that make middle housing viable and located in the right locations.” New Jersey now needs to follow the lead of other states in exploring strategies to break the stranglehold of single-family zoning, so that households of all incomes can afford to call New Jersey home.

Posted in Development and Redevelopment, Housing and Equity

Tags: 2024 NJ Planning and Redevelopment Conference, Affordable housing, Housing, housing and equity, missing middle, Redevelopment



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Our Favorite Old-School Dining and Drinking Haunts in New Jersey

Don Lichterman
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Our Favorite Old-School Dining and Drinking Haunts in New Jersey

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Don’t get us wrong—hitting up buzzy restaurants and bars is one of our favorite pastimes. But sometimes, it’s the the old-school, dive-y spots that we crave more than anything else!

Here are some of our favorite homey and historic haunts.

This red-wine, red-sauce, red-checkered-tablecloth establishment is hands down one of the best places to eat in our great state. Chicken Savoy—Frankie Valli’s favorite—was invented here in 1967, the same year it opened. Hospitality and nostalgia oozes from the always-packed Belmont, where you always feel like you belond.

Have you tried the famous deep-fried Ripper hot dog at Rutt’s Hut? Open since 1928, the establishment sits above the intersection of Routes 3 and 21, so if you take your order to go—“traveling,” they call it—you get your hot dog with a side of fumes. Does it get any more Jersey than that?!

It’s gone through numerous transformations, but the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn first opened as a tavern in 1890. Visiting is like stepping back in time: Its farmhouse was built in 1796, and the walls have a palpable history. It’s a nice place for an elegant night out, and there’s even an elevated kids menu.

Open since 1947, Vic’s is the spot to go down the Shore when you’re craving those old-school, absolutely delicious classics your Nonna used to make. The vibes are immaculate, as first signaled by the exterior’s neon signage. Inside, you’re greeted with delightful green leather booths. Oh, and the bar pies are top-notch.

Is it a dive? A burger den? A beer-and-shot joint? Honestly, it’s all three. If you’re feeling sort of mixed up and unsure of things, go to Krug’s, which has been open since 1932. (Get the burger—it’s one of the best in the state.) You’ll emerge from the evening with a renewed sense of calm.

Conte’s, open since 1950, is a constant—and one of NJM‘s favorite restaurants in Princeton. (It was formerly Witherspoon Bar, which opened in 1936.) The thin-crust pizza with zesty sauce is a must-try when you visit this idyllic, historic college town. The space is anchored by a wrap-around bar with glass bricks in red and green; look closely and you’ll spot the restaurant’s name spelled out.

Fishing rods and taxidermied animals dot the walls at this family-owned establishment, open since 1936. (The titular Steve was an avid outdoorsman.) Steaks do indeed come sizzling, and accompanied by fries. You may need a bib to protect your clothes from the famous sauce.

Lee’s is a haunt of the highest order—from the weekend karaoke to the extremely potent tiki drinks to the indoor waterfall to the fumes from the ethanol gel in the Sterno burner underneath the pu-pu platters. A night at Lee’s—which is currently for sale—is one of the top experiences in northern New Jersey.

Atlantic City is best known for its casinos, beaches and first Boardwalk in the country. But for many New Jerseyans, the outstanding White House Subs, open since 1947, doesn’t lag far behind in importance! There’s always a line for these absolutely gigantic sandwiches (and very limited indoor booth seating). The Italian and steak options are popular; we also love the peppers-and-eggs sub!

Which location came first remains up for debate—but the deliciousness of the burgers at both spots does not! The Jersey City location on Tonnelle Avenue was originally built for the 1939 New York World’s Fair.

Open since 1975 (and currently on the market), Lucille’s is known for its pies as well as its country-style comfort food with Jersey touches, like pork roll and a clam chowder nicknamed after the Pine Barrens.

No one knows New Jersey like we do. Sign up for one of our free newsletters here. Want a print magazine mailed to you? Purchase an issue from our online store.



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Career Classroom: High School Biotechnology Programs Support New Jersey’s Dominance in Health Sciences

Don Lichterman
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Career Classroom: High School Biotechnology Programs Support New Jersey’s Dominance in Health Sciences

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As the “medicine chest of the world,” New Jersey has a rich life sciences community with pharmaceutical, research, medical technology and other industries all finding homes in the state. “They are here for the skilled workforce,” Chrissy Buteas, president and chief executive officer of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, said. “So, a real focus for us is supporting that skilled workforce.”

Buteas addressed school leaders from New Jersey’s 21 county vocational-technical schools over the summer, sharing current and emerging job opportunities in health care throughout the state and the need to continue offering programs that encourage and train students for such opportunities.

Buteas commended the vocational-technical schools for broadening program offerings in health sciences to prepare students for a range of careers and next steps. She added that the expansion of biotechnology programs specifically addresses many of the sought-after skills in health sciences. In fact, an analysis by the New Jersey Department of Labor over the summer showed biotechnology among the top five specialized skills required for health sciences job postings.

With such demand, the timing was ideal for the September opening of the Passaic County Technical Institute’s John Currie Biotechnology Innovation Center. Made possible with funding from the Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act, the state-of-the-art 55,000-square-foot facility increases capacity in the career program for hundreds of additional students from grades 9-12. Inside are highly specialized learning spaces, including New Jersey’s first DNA Learning Center.

The DNA Learning Center is equipped, licensed and operated by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and supported by InnovATEBIO, a global leader in biomedical research and education. Such industry involvement makes it possible for students to gain hands-on experience in a rapidly advancing sector of biotechnology. (See video here.)

Michael Petruccelli, supervisor of the PCTI Biotechnology Program, said both Cold Spring Harbor and Passaic County Community College played roles in developing a curriculum to prepare students for a wide range of career opportunities, such as lab technicians, researchers, biophysicists, geneticists and more. Depending on the students’ ambitions, they also can earn an associate degree and industry valued credentials as part of their high school learning experience.

Chrissy Buteas. (File photo)

Buteas said relationships between industry and academia are so important for workforce development that they have become the focus of a new Life Sciences Industry Partnerships initiative led by the New Jersey Department of Labor. “It’s important to create partnerships that help students realize the career paths available in the life sciences and support them in pursuing those paths,” she added.

While the Department of Labor is moving this initiative forward on a state-wide level, the county vocational-technical schools have long incorporated industry partnerships into their educational models. Schools build dedicated Advisory Boards for their career programs, whose members review curriculum, serve as guest speakers and even open their doors for student visits. Most schools also designate individuals or full departments to place students in work-based learning and positions with help from their industry connections.

“Our School-to-Careers Department makes us unique in that we have an entire group of employees dedicated to placing students in industry before or after graduation,” Petruccelli said.

At Biotechnology High School (BTHS), part of Monmouth County Vocational School District, Principal Sharon Bryant, Ed.D., said partnerships are critical for students’ culminating learning experiences. “All seniors participate in a mentorship capstone experience before graduation, and our numerous partners support our students in applying their skills and knowledge in a workplace.” She added that the high school’s alumni and Advisory Board members, as well as area companies like Team Life, Inc. and Sunrise Senior Living, hospital systems and municipality EMT programs, all work closely with BTHS to secure mentors for students. (See video here.)

“The local experiences during mentorship also introduce our students to the relevance and local contribution of nearby companies and facilities in enhancing this field,” Bryant said. She and the BTHS instructors emphasized that their collective goal is to “immerse our students in community engagement and retention within the biotechnology field, while promoting international skills and communication through the International Baccalaureate curricula to grow biotechnology from a global perspective.”

Biotechnology High School in Freehold, part of Monmouth County Vocational School District, was ranked fifth best high school in the state and the 37th best public high school in America by U.S. News & World Report. ­— BTHS

BTHS’ approach has earned the high school impressive results. U.S. News & World Report ranked it the fifth best high school in the state and the 37th best public high school in America. 

BTHS instructors recently polled a small group of students about their motivations to enter such a highly focused, rigorous program. The students: Nicholas French, Alay Galvankar, Emily Gerchak, Annika Raj, Ella Stastney and Kaanchi Utpat said they believe the future is wide open in the field and that new pathways will open that “don’t yet exist or that we don’t even know we need yet.” They also said that working in the biotechnology field will allow them to “make an impact for many people, whether directly in the sciences or changing policy.”

This is the exact sentiment Buteas hopes to instill in bright, ambitious young people as they consider a future in the health sciences. During a recent speaking engagement with the Department of Labor, she addressed student attendees, saying, “This industry is really special; you have the opportunity to either greatly improve or save someone’s life by working in this industry.”

Conversation Starters

Reach Passaic County Technical Institute at pcti.pctvs.org/pcti or call 973-790-6000.

Reach Biotechnology High School at bths.mcvsd.org or call 732-431-7208.

If you’re an industry professional looking to support life sciences programs, including those in biotechnology go to careertechnj.org/become-an-employer-partner.

This series on education and industry is presented by the New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools.



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Atlantic City Looks To Repeat Summer Camp Success

Don Lichterman
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Atlantic City Looks To Repeat Summer Camp Success

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Hundreds of Atlantic City kids this year got their first ever taste of city-run summer camps. Now the city is looking to make sure it can replicate the experience next year as well as expand its recreation services to seniors and other underserved residents.

Years of financial difficulties and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic meant that Atlantic City was unable to staff a recreation department. This spring, however, the city began hiring to build out its youth services, senior services and multicultural offices. Mayor Marty Small said this had been a passion of his and he had been determined since taking office to make more services available to both young people and senior citizens in Atlantic City. Small also wanted available activities to go beyond sports, he said. “Yes, being an athlete is great, but one day those days are over,” Small, a former college basketball player, said. “We wanted to focus on all children, and give them an opportunity.” The city received a $1.5 million anti-violence grant from the state and put some of that money to work running the programs. Small said that while by August last year there had been nine deaths due to gun violence in the city, this year to date there have been none.

Small hopes to expand the camps for next summer and to provide more free services for everyone in the city year-round. Although funding is not yet in place to run camps next summer, the city is confident it will be. “No parent under this administration will be able to say there’s nothing for kids to do in Atlantic City,” Small said. “That just won’t happen.”

The Whelan’s Whales swimming program (photo provided by Atlantic City)

The free programs this July included an NFL Flag Football camp every Friday, as well as an all-sports recreation camp, a youth services camp and a multicultural camp that ran Monday-Thursday afternoons. There was also a swimming program run by a local nonprofit. The camps were held at different neighborhood schools, so that parents and guardians whose children were enrolled in the morning-only summer school program would have childcare through the afternoon.

Although Small’s wife is the superintendent of the Atlantic City school district, city officials said they had to coordinate with the school board and apply for permission to use the school buildings. This was no small task, since all of Atlantic City’s school facilities including playgrounds, sports fields and swimming pools are closed to Atlantic City students outside of school hours and the school district has long been reticent to open its facilities to provide non-school services. The camp kids, however, appreciated the access to the air-conditioned gyms and auditoriums and parents appreciated knowing their kids were safe inside familiar buildings.

NFL Flag Football (photo provided by Atlantic City)

The turnout for the camps was impressive: 300 children registered for the sports camps and the Whelan’s Whales swimming program had 100 students as well as a waitlist of another 100. The smaller multi-cultural and youth services camps were also oversubscribed. Outreach in Atlantic City can be a challenge because of language barriers but Tasha Devonish, assistant director of youth services, said the city worked hard to get the word out about the camps in the two months between the end of April and June, when registration began. “We utilized social media, word of mouth, we passed out flyers. We knocked on doors, we walked through the neighborhoods, we went into stores,” Devonish said.

Photo provided by Atlantic City

The city’s recreation department is now working in collaboration with the school district to offer more sports to children. Before this summer, school sports teams only existed at the high school level but now there are soccer and basketball teams for middle-school-aged students and the city’s Jarrod Barnes hopes to make more sports available. “We want to be able to bring baseball, soccer, lacrosse, pickleball…Pickleball is huge now,” he said.

The youth services and multi-cultural services departments are also working on fall and spring activities, while the city’s department of senior services will host its first senior boat ride day on Monday. Plans for weekly zumba classes are in the works, too.

(Paragraph two of this article was edited on August 22 to reflect the correct size of the anti-violence grant received by the city)



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Police Officer Job  | Cherry Hill Township, NJ

Don Lichterman
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On November 11, 2024, the Cherry Hill Police Department will begin accepting applications for the position of Police Officer. Below is a list of the minimum qualifications needed to be eligible to apply:  

 Minimum Qualifications:

  •             18 years of age and hired on or before their 35th birthday
  •             US citizen and resident of New Jersey with unrestricted NJ driver’s license when hired
  •             60 college credits, or 30 credits with 2 years Full Time law enforcement/military experience
  •             Pass background, psychological, medical and drug test
  •             Be of good moral character

 The following is a list of components you must pass:

  •             Written Examination
  •             Physical Ability Test
  •             Interview

 The Cherry Hill Police Department utilizes the National Police Officer Selection Test, additional information can be found at the Stanard and Associates Inc. web site:

            https://www.applytoserve.com/study/

 Minimum testing standards for the Physical Ability Test:

  •             Sit-ups (28 repetitions in one minute)
  •             300 Meter run (70.1 seconds or less)
  •             Push-ups (24 repetitions in a minute)
  •             1.5 Mile run (15:55 minutes of less)

 Qualified applicants may click on the Module I application link below and submit the form.   Applications may be obtained in person from Police Records during normal business hours or email chpdjobs@cherryhillpolice.com and request an application be emailed.  

 APPLICATIONS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN December 16, 2024 at 4:00 PM

 

Apply here: https://www.chnj.gov/FormCenter/Cherry-Hill-Police-9/2025-Module-I-Cherry-Hill-POLICE-OFFICER-211

Cherry Hill Township is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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If you are a NJ PTC certified applicant, use the below Module I Application form.

Click on Module I Application(FOR NJ PTC CERTIFIED APPLICANT ONLY)  to complete and submit

 Cherry Hill Township is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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Rutgers Hosts Leadership from the Federated States of Micronesia : Newsroom

Don Lichterman
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Rutgers Hosts Leadership from the Federated States of Micronesia : Newsroom

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Federated States of Micronesia’s Secretary Andrew Yatilman and Secretary Elina Akinaga visit Rutgers Plant Biology labs.

As one of America’s longest serving and renowned land-grant institutions, Rutgers University empowers food producers worldwide with cutting-edge scientific expertise. The university’s acclaimed “Jersey Roots, Global Reach” initiative shines through in its exceptional partnership with the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), a vast island nation in the North Pacific.

To celebrate this landmark collaboration, Rutgers had the privilege of hosting two esteemed FSM dignitaries, Honorable Secretary Andrew Yatilman and Honorable Secretary Elina Akinaga, on September 21. Guided by Jim Simon, Dena Seidel, Ramu Govindasamy, AJ Both, Mark Robson, Roland Hagan and Julie Lockwood, the distinguished guests toured SEBS’s premier plant and marine science labs, research fields, and greenhouses, showcasing Rutgers’ advanced research facilities and innovations.

“I am truly grateful to finally visit Rutgers and see first-hand the breadth of scientific expertise that has been assisting our country these past few years,” said Andrew Yatilman, FSM’s Secretary of Environment, Climate and Emergency Management.

The Rutgers interdisciplinary food systems science team began its work with FSM in 2020 and is led by Jim Simon (Plant Biology) in concert with Ramu Govindasamy (DAFRE), Dena Seidel (Plant Biology) and Oscar Schofield (Marine and Coastal Sciences). Rutgers has been supporting FSM’s sustainable food production goals on several projects that include food security policy and assessing climate change’s impact on FSM’s farming families and strategies for the development of local food processing.

Core collaborating scientists from several Rutgers departments include Yariv Ben Naim (Plant Biology), AJ Both and James Shope (Environmental Sciences), Rolan Hagan and Dave Bushek (Marine and Coastal Sciences), and collaborating ethnobotanist Mike Balick from the New York Botanical Gardens as well economist Dr. Surendran Arumugam from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, and Nolan Lewin and Julie Elmer from the Rutgers Food Innovation Center.

FSM’s Secretary Andrew Yatilman and Secretary Elina Akinaga visit Rutgers research greenhouses.

Additional Rutgers faculty who have contributed significantly to the projects for the FSM include Ethan Schoolman (Human Ecology), Emily Merchant (Public Health) and Daniel Hoffman (Nutritional Sciences). In 2022, Rutgers Global awarded this science team with a $10,000 seed grant to develop a replicable and sustainable food system model in partnership with FSM’s state of Pohnpei.

Rutgers work in the FSM builds upon decades of experience supporting food production in developing countries. “Tackling complex food system challenges internationally requires a multi-pronged approach with teams that include experts from many disciplines with varied skills. At the same time, we work very closely with local partners to ensure that the food production strategy that is developed and implemented is culturally relevant, environmentally and economically sustainable and what the community wants and needs,” said Simon.

To support holistic food system development, Rutgers departments of Plant Biology, Agriculture, Food and Resource Economics (DAFRE) and Marine and Coastal Sciences have joined together.

“Supporting food system development in Micronesia requires addressing food production challenges not just on land but also in the sea. Their ocean is their main resource and so monitoring also becomes key to protecting it,” added Schofield, whose team hosted the guests’ visit to Rutgers Center for Ocean Observation Leadership (RUCOOL).

Oceanography graduate students Mya Sharpe and Leah Hopson demonstrate Rutgers glider robots used for ocean monitoring to the visiting dignitaries from the FSM.

The Rutgers Food System Science team has undertaken its fifth project with the Pacific nation. Their current “Food Systems Solutions” initiative, in collaboration with the FSM Department of Resources and Development and Office of Trade, is funded by the US Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. Led by Assistant Secretary Florian J. Yatilman and his team, Stanley Raffilman and Keenen Weirlangt in the FSM, Ramu Govindasamy leads the Food Systems Solutions data collection and research as principal investigator, with Simon and Seidel as co-leaders from Rutgers.

 

The Food Systems Solutions project aims to drive economic growth and job creation by enhancing local food production and processing. A critical element of this effort involves collecting and analyzing data from ten community stakeholder surveys, designed within the United Nations’ multi-stakeholder framework for sustainable food system development. “Our data shows that over 70% of FSM household expenditure is going toward imported foods which is making them food insecure. This project supports the states and the nation in transitioning to local food production and processing to strengthen local economies, create jobs and increase the health of the people of FSM,” said Govindasamy.

 

Past projects include the Green Climate Fund Baseline Assessment featuring data from extensive surveys with more than 600 farming families as well as crop forecasting and steps to enhance climate smart agriculture with a foreword by FSM’s President Wesley Simina. Building upon their original data, the Rutgers team was also asked to prepare the FSM’s Third National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change outlining the impact of a changing climate on all sectors of FSM’s society published on the UN website. The Rutgers team also worked closely with Pohnpei state’s department of Resources and Development to prepare that state’s Food Security Policy and Master Plan.

L-R: Dr. Jim Simon, Secretary Elina Akinaga, Secretary Andrew Yatilman, Dr. AJ Both, Dr. Ramu Govindasamy and Dena Seidel at the Rutgers agrivoltaics research farm in New Brunswick.

 

This transdisciplinary approach has been exciting and lead to student engagement of Rutgers graduate students that have been invited to collaborate on design, project data preparation and analysis and public policy. While graduate students Tori Rosen and Maxx Guazabara Rivera analyzed the nutritional content of moringa plants from the FSM; other students and visiting scientists have assisted with the data collection and analysis including Lara Brindisi, Eric Gomes, Martin Zorde, Nisha Khanna, and Erin Quinn (from Plant Biology), and  El Hoima Barthelus (from Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics (DAFRE), and Dr. Rahmiye Figen Ceylan, a visiting DAFRE professor from Akdeniz University in Turkey.

Rutgers’ partnership with the FSM is facilitated and coordinated by Dena Seidel, a researcher and cultural anthropologist in Rutgers’ Plant Biology department, who has long worked in Micronesia and has served as the Honorary Ambassador at Large for Research and Academic Partnerships for two of the FSM states. “It’s exciting to see our scientists and students involved in the co-creation of sustainable food system development with the farming and fishing families of the FSM,” said Seidel.

During the dignitaries’ visit, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Distinguished Professor of Plant Biology Mark Robson led a discussion on ways the Rutgers-FSM partnership could grow to include faculty, student and curriculum exchanges. “We are excited to explore how Rutgers and FSM can learn from each other and help strengthen the strong ties that have developed over these last few years,” said Robson.

At the end of their Rutgers visit, Honorable Secretary Elina Akinaga of FSM’s Department of Resources and Development said, “FSM is a developing nation and we are in need of scientific expertise to help us reach our sustainable development goals. We truly appreciate the Rutgers science team’s hard work and dedicated commitment to working with our nation and our states and we look forward to growing this partnership.”

A contingent of Rutgers faculty, staff, students with the visiting dignitaries from the Federated States of Micronesia (wearing leis) at RUCOOL.



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Across the political divide, we are connected by the arts | Opinion

Don Lichterman
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Across the political divide, we are connected by the arts | Opinion

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By Pamela E. Barnett

The Presidential election is next Tuesday, which means many of us will spend the rest of the month obsessively analyzing the victor’s path and reading informed accounts about what the future could hold.

I hope some of us will take a break from the exhausting news cycle and turn to the arts, which are exactly what we all need in the wake of this highly polarizing and divisive campaign and election season. Artistic experience affirms and expands our humanity. Art connects us.

We need that now more than ever. In an “Arts Talk” for the National Endowment for the Arts, singer and composer Josh Groban made the case that “art matters because it is a hate-killer. Art matters because it is the one true great connector in a world that seems to be very unconnected, and it’s important now more than ever to shine a huge light on that connectivity that we have, that we often forget.”

Art enriches, deepens and elevates all of us. When we truly engage the expression of others – their words and stories, their images and designs and music – we are giving our own consciousness over to the experience, perspective and vision of others. We can feel connection and empathy for people from other nations or other cultural backgrounds. Anyone who has watched a Greek tragedy in horror or sung along to an early American hymn or spiritual knows how art can enable us to connect with others across the very ages.

As NEA staffer Victoria Hutter put it: “The arts matter because I learn something about people and places I would have never known otherwise. The arts make my brain and my heart stretch to make room for newness. Sometimes, parts of me are displaced and replaced by wiser stuff. And that’s a fine thing.”

In the aftermath of this election, art and music can affirm our common humanity, beyond political partisanship. And to go a step farther, I want to direct attention to two specific works that inspire feeling about American democracy: Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 “From the New World” and Aaron Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait.”

We don’t always think of the orchestra as the place to go for national unity, but here is why we can and should.

Dvorak was a Czech composer who studied American folk songs during his time in the U.S., from 1892 to 1895. “From the New World” was his endeavor to write a truly American symphony. Dvorak said his classical orchestration incorporates “the spirit” of both African American spirituals and Native American folk music as a way to express the richness of the North American story after the Civil War. His symphony also captures the beauty and expansiveness of vistas in the American Midwest. Astronaut Neil Armstrong took a recording of the symphony to the moon, making it a soundtrack for his “giant leap for mankind.”

The Lincoln Portrait (1942) was commissioned at a time of national crisis; on Dec. 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor was attacked and the U.S. mobilized to enter World War II. Copland was commissioned to “celebrate the spirit of the American people.” This orchestra seeks to convey the character of the Great Unifier, and also inspire great feeling about the preservation of the union, with liberty for all. It includes narration from Lincoln’s famous speeches addressing war, freedom, nation and democracy.

In the days before and after the election, you can type these orchestral works into your preferred music streaming service. You could also hear them performed live at The College of New Jersey on November 8, three days after the election.

Conductor Uli Speth shares the rationale behind this repertoire: “Both pieces celebrate American history and American culture in a way that all citizens can feel good about, regardless of their backgrounds or political views. After a time filled with divisive rhetoric this will hopefully make everyone feel that they belong to the same country.”

We should all be looking for ways to heal our country, and that includes opting out of disrespect and denigration of fellow citizens who voted differently. Art can lead the way. After all of the partisan battle and divisive rhetoric, art calls us to feel our shared humanity and even our common love for American democracy.

Pamela E. Barnett is Dean of The School of the Arts & Communication at The College of New Jersey.

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Mays Landing Country Club

Don Lichterman
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Mays Landing Country Club

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Mays Landing Country Club

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Atlantic City Launches Its Most Festive Season Yet With the CRDA’s 3rd Annual Tinseltown Holiday Experience

Don Lichterman
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Atlantic City Launches Its Most Festive Season Yet With the CRDA’s 3rd Annual Tinseltown Holiday Experience

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Atlantic City Launches Its Most Festive Season Yet With the CRDA’s 3rd Annual Tinseltown Holiday Experience




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originally published: 11/27/2024

Atlantic City launched its citywide Tinseltown Holiday Experience, presented by the New Jersey CRDA, with a spectacular Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony inside The Quarter at Tropicana on Friday, November 22, 2024. Photo by Tom Briglia/PhotoGraphics

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) — Get ready for a festive season ahead during the coolest time of the year to visit, stay, and play in Atlantic City! Now in its third year and presented by the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), the Tinseltown Holiday Experience is lighting up Atlantic City’s casinos, iconic attractions, and neighborhoods with a range of holiday events, including festive events, pop-up experiences, live shows, and even themed accommodations.

Recently named one of the “25 Best Christmas Towns in the U.S.” for the third consecutive year, Atlantic City officially launched its Tinseltown Holiday Experience with a spectacular Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Tropicana Atlantic City on Friday, November 22, 2024.

The event took place inside Tropicana’s The Quarter, which marked its 20th anniversary in style with a dazzling 35-foot tree illuminated by a stunning light show synchronized to holiday music. Guests were treated to holiday-inspired small bites from The Quarter’s renowned restaurants, a performance by the Mainland Regional High School Choir, and a visit from Santa Claus.

CRDA Deputy Exec. Dir. Maisha Moore, photo by Masterpiece Advertising

CRDA Deputy Executive Director, Maisha Moore, Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr., and Joseph Giunta, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Tropicana were among the dignitaries who joined the celebration, which also included an official proclamation from the City of Atlantic City commemorating The Quarter’s milestone anniversary.

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“The Tinseltown Holiday Experience truly showcases all the excitement of the holiday season in Atlantic City,” said Eric Scheffler, Executive Director of the CRDA. “The celebration brings all of Atlantic City’s businesses and community members together and invites our visitors to discover why Atlantic City is one of the top holiday destinations in the entire country.”

Visitors will also find a vibrant mix of dazzling holiday décor throughout the destination, as well as numerous gift-buying options, from holiday markets and high-end boutiques in the casinos, to Boardwalk shops and over 70 premium outlet stores at Tanger Outlets.

CRDA Deputy Executive Director Maisha Moore added, “Atlantic City is packed with things to do that complement our gaming, diverse dining scene, iconic attractions, nonstop entertainment, and premier hotels. We invite visitors to celebrate and stay with us and enjoy these special events all the way to the new year.”

The bigger-than-ever citywide celebration brings authentic holiday fun to town for all ages. Some of the holiday season highlights include:

* Pop-Up Holiday Lounges: Get in the spirit of the season at themed lounges like Tropicana’s “Holidaze Pop-Up Bar,” Resorts’ “Candy Cane Lounge” and “Landshark Christmas Island,” Hard Rock’s “Rockin’ Holiday Bar,” Harrah’s “Tipsy Elf,” Ocean’s “Jingle Bell Bar,” and Bally’s “Holiday Cheer Pop-Up Bar”

* Winter Wonderland Parade: Don’t miss the festive procession along the world-famous Boardwalk with floats, bands, and special guests (December 7 at 11:00am / rain date December 8)

* Absecon Lighthouse’s Luminary Light Festival:  Enjoy caroling, astrologist readings, specialty cheeses & wine tastings, and decorate and light a personal luminary. (December 7 from 5:00pm-7:00pm)

* Steel Pier’s Santa at The Wheel: Family fun event with free photo opportunities with Santa (December 7 from 2:00pm-4:00pm)

* Deck the Hall: Festival of Trees: Free public viewings daily of dozens of decorated trees inside Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall (Dec. 12-Jan. 3, starting 9 a.m.)

* Noyes Holiday Market & Gingerbread Village: Explore artist-created gingerbread displays alongside unique shopping experiences from local craftspeople and vendors at the Noyes Arts Garage (December 14-15 from Noon-5:00pm)

* Tinseltown Cocktail-Mocktail Trail: Download the map and grab a cup of cheer along a trail of holiday-themed drinks (now through December 31)

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr., photo by Tom Briglia/PhotoGraphics

Atlantic City’s Tinseltown Holiday Experience continues to sparkle with more tree lighting ceremonies across the city in the coming weeks. Everyone is invited to come celebrate the season at the following locations:

* Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall (November 27 at 5:30pm)

* Hard Rock Atrium (November 28 at 7:00pm)

* The Yard at Bally’s (December 6 from 4:30pm-6:30pm)

* Chelsea Neighborhood Celebration (O’Donnell Park, December 6 from 6:00pm-7:30pm)

* Ducktown Neighborhood Celebration (Ducktown Park, December 7 at 5:00pm)

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Plan your holiday getaway and see the full list of events at ACTinseltown.com. Don’t forget to enter theTinseltown Holiday Getaway contest at AtlanticCityNJ.com for a chance to win overnight stays, dining credits, and more!

Photo by Tom Briglia/PhotoGraphics

The only agency of its kind nationwide, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) has used Atlantic City casino reinvestments as a catalyst for meaningful, positive improvement in the lives of New Jersey residents since 1984. Under the 2011 Tourism District Act, the Authority’s mission evolved from statewide projects to becoming the state’s key economic development agency for Atlantic City. CRDA’s expanded responsibilities now include land use regulation, tourism marketing and clean and safe initiatives. The CRDA also oversees Historic Boardwalk Hall (the leading entertainment venue of its size in the country) and the Atlantic City Convention Center. In total, CRDA has invested nearly $2 billion in more than 400 projects statewide, of which $1.8 billion has been invested in Atlantic City, spurring business investments and expansions, and creating permanent jobs in the process.


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Santa’s Holiday Market at the Palace

Saturday, November 30, 2024 @ 12:00pm
The Historic Palace Theatre
7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ 07857
category: community

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Holiday Spirits: Festive Cocktails and Cheer

Tuesday, December 10, 2024 @ 5:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: community

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Tuesday Night Book Club – Percival Everett, James

Tuesday, December 10, 2024 @ 7:30pm
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Light of Day WinterFest 25: A Celebration of Music, Legacy, and the Fight Against Parkinson’s Disease

Don Lichterman
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Light of Day WinterFest 25: A Celebration of Music, Legacy, and the Fight Against Parkinson’s Disease

The Light of Day WinterFest is gearing up to celebrate its milestone 25th anniversary in style, bringing together an incredible lineup of musicians for an unforgettable series of concerts in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Taking place in January 2024, WinterFest 25 will feature a stellar mix of legendary artists, exciting up-and-coming talent, and unforgettable performances, all in support of the Light of Day Foundation’s ongoing mission to raise funds and awareness in the fight against Parkinson’s disease, ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), and PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy).

With 45 years of Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers, the iconic Tangiers Blues Band Jam, Willie Nile, Joe D’Urso & Stone Caravan, Adam Ezra Group, and the Next Generation of artists leading the charge, this year’s festival promises to be a music lover’s dream and a key part of the foundation’s continuous efforts to support groundbreaking research, patient care, and treatments for these devastating diseases.

A Milestone for Music and Charity

WinterFest 25 is not only a celebration of exceptional music but also a testament to the incredible journey of the Light of Day Foundation. Since its inception in 2000, the foundation has raised over $6.5 million through annual concerts and events, helping fund research to find cures for Parkinson’s disease and related illnesses. What started as a single concert in Asbury Park, NJ, has grown into an international movement, with concerts now held in 13 countries across North America and Europe. This year’s WinterFest marks a special moment in the foundation’s history as they celebrate 25 years of using music to make a difference.

The Music: An Unbeatable Lineup

Light of Day WinterFest 25 is headlined by a group of artists whose music has made a lasting impact on the rock and roll landscape. Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers, known for their iconic blend of heartland rock and gritty, soulful storytelling, are celebrating 45 years of music. Their performance is sure to be one of the highlights of the festival, bringing together fans of classic rock with those new to their sound.

Other standout acts include Willie Nile, a legendary figure in American rock and folk music, who is celebrated for his evocative lyrics and unforgettable melodies. Joe D’Urso & Stone Caravan will bring their rootsy rock vibes, while the Tangiers Blues Band Jam is sure to deliver a high-energy, soulful performance that will have the crowd dancing all night long.

Newer voices will also be featured, including the Adam Ezra Group, a dynamic ensemble known for their energetic, genre-blurring performances, and the Next Generation of talent, showing the next wave of artists who are carrying the torch forward in the fight against Parkinson’s and related diseases.

A Full Schedule of Unmissable Performances

The festival spans five days, offering multiple performances each day at some of Asbury Park’s most iconic venues. The lineup is packed with talent from a variety of genres, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy:

  • Thu, Jan 16 – James Maddock, Matt O’Ree, Williams Honor, and more at the Wonder Bar
  • Fri, Jan 17 – Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers, Willie Nile, Tangiers Blues Band, and more at The Stone Pony
  • Fri, Jan 17 – Dramarama, The Weeklings, Bobby Mahoney, and others at the Wonder Bar
  • Sat, Jan 18 – Billy Walton Band, Joe Bonanno & Godsons of Soul, Stormin’ Norman, and more at the Wonder Bar
  • Sun, Jan 19 – Light of Day Next Generation, featuring new talent from the Wonder Bar
  • Sun, Jan 19 – Cover Me: The Best NJ Tribute & Cover Bands at the Wonder Bar

Tickets for each event are available for $32 in advance (plus applicable surcharges) and $37 at the door. These shows are expected to sell out quickly, so fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets early and be a part of this incredible celebration for a great cause.

The Mission: Fighting Parkinson’s and Beyond

The Light of Day Foundation’s efforts extend far beyond just raising money for research. The funds raised through the WinterFest and other events go directly toward helping those who are living with Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and PSP, as well as their families and caregivers. These diseases are all incredibly debilitating, and there is an urgent need for more effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure. Through the power of music and community, Light of Day works tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of those affected.

Get Your Tickets and Join the Fight

WinterFest 25 is shaping up to be an event you won’t want to miss. With an amazing lineup of musicians, a heartwarming cause, and the chance to be part of a major milestone in the fight against Parkinson’s disease, this year’s festival is set to be one of the best yet. Whether you’re a longtime supporter of Light of Day or a newcomer to the cause, the festival promises an unforgettable experience, filled with great music, incredible energy, and a powerful sense of community.

Get your tickets today and join the Light of Day Foundation in celebrating the past 25 years of music and charity while looking ahead to an even brighter future. Let’s come together to make a difference and help defeat Parkinson’s and related diseases once and for all!

For tickets and more information, visit the Light of Day Foundation website.

Don’t miss out on this incredible celebration – join us in Asbury Park this January for WinterFest 25!

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