– by Athena D. Merritt Staff Writer

Philadelphia will submit a joint application with its suburban ring of counties on Monday for $40 million in federal stimulus funds to establish a revolving loan fund for green projects. The application is the latest example of the city’s desire and effort to work together as a region, Mayor Michael Nutter told attendees at the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce’s general membership meeting and Percolator program.

Philadelphia will serve as the lead applicant for the competitive Energy Conservation Block Grant that will include Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. The grant, if awarded, would be used to provide loans and grants to the entire region for commercial, industrial and residential energy efficiency projects.

via philadelphia.bizjournals.com

A 26-year veteran of the Haddonfield Police Department has been appointed the Borough\’s new Chief of Police.

John J. Banning, who joined the department as a patrol officer in 1983 and rose steadily through the ranks, will succeed Richard W. Tsonis, who retired in July. Banning has served as captain, the second-highest rank, since 2000, and as acting chief for the past four months.

The appointment was announced December 1 by Commissioner Ed Borden, the Borough\’s Director of Public Safety. The new chief was sworned in during the Board of Commissioners\’ meeting on Tuesday, December 8.

A graduate of Gloucester City High School, Banning began his law enforcement career with the Wildwood Police Department in March 1983. Several months later he transferred to Haddonfield. During a decade of service as a patrol officer, he specialized in juvenile matters. He also became accredited as a crime scene technician. He was appointed senior patrol officer in 1988, corporal in 1994, sergeant in 1995, lieutenant in 1997, and captain in 2000.

In addition to training at the State Police Academy, Banning has studied at Camden

RELATED CATEGORY PETS ARE THE BEST

By Dawn Watson

Nobody’s perfect. Humans are accepted with their flaws and handicaps (usually) and are held in high regard for the things they are able to accomplish. However, in the animal kingdom the less-than-perfect critter is at risk throughout his life and may ultimately become part of the food chain.

Photo: Erica catching some Z\’s

If you’ve ever looked at Petfinder.org you’re bound to notice the section on special needs dogs, cats, and other animals. If you have your heart set on adopting a dog this holiday season don’t skip the special needs section—a pet that is unique can be worth the small problems you may encounter with him.

Let me tell you about Sami. I was doing volunteer work at the Animal Adoption Center when she was brought in; a heart murmur which you could hear without a stethoscope, cataracts, and severe dental problems. I latched on to her, immediately, took her home and loved her until she passed away 15 months later. I would do it all over again simply because she needed me as much as I needed her. She was, and is, my special little angel.

There are plenty of bonuses to adopting a special dog: they truly seem to be grateful just to have a home! They cost less to adopt, and are frequently so unique that they become a real conversation-starter wherever you go! Some shelters will even allow you to foster a special furry friend until his or her medical problems have been addressed and then finalize with a permanent placement. (This means the shelter pays for all veterinary care until the adoption is final).

So this holiday season if you are thinking a little fuzz-ball might be a great addition to the family try looking for one that might be less-than-perfect. The rewards will be enormous!

Feel free to call me with any questions at 856-349-2508 or email me at [email protected] . There is never a fee for a phone or email consultation!

Next week’s topic will be all about the importance of nutrition for your dog. As always, Cleary’s notebook encourages dialogue so your comments are welcome!

Wado, udohiyu, (thank you very much, in the Cherokee language)

Dawn Watson

Brother of the Wolf, LLC

700 Market St, Gloucester City NJ 08030

December 11, 2009

Rutgers Football Earns AFCA Academic Honor

Scarlet Knights One of the Nation’s Best Programs Academically

• Posted on 12/11/2009 8:49:56 AM

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (December 11, 2009) — The Rutgers football program is one of 41 schools to earn the 2009 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Academic Achievement Honorable Mention Award. The 2009 award reflects the academic success of the class that entered in the Fall of 2002.

This year’s award marks the second time the NCAA’s Graduation Success Rate (GSR) formula has been used to select the winner. From 1981 to 2007, the award was presented based on a formula used by the College Football Association and AFCA.

The Academic Achievement Award was established by the College Football Association in 1981. The award recognized the CFA-member Football Bowl Subdivision institution with the highest graduation rate among members of its football team. When the CFA disbanded in 1997, the AFCA stepped in to present the award and conduct a graduation rate survey that encompassed all members of the FBS.

The GSR is based on a six-year graduation window for student-athletes which is a change from the five-year window used by the CFA and AFCA. The GSR was developed by the NCAA as part of its academic reform initiative to more accurately assess the academic success of student-athletes. The GSR holds institutions accountable for transfer students, unlike the federal graduation rate. The GSR also accounts for mid-year enrollees.

Under GSR calculation, institutions are not penalized for outgoing transfer students who leave in good academic standing. These outgoing transfers are passed to the receiving institution’s GSR cohort. By counting incoming transfer students and midyear enrollees, the GSR increases the total number of student-athletes tracked for graduation by more than 37 percent. The NCAA also calculates the federal graduation rate for student-athletes because it is the only rate by which to compare student-athletes to the general student body.

Rutgers closes out the 2009 season Saturday, December 19 in the St. Petersburg Bowl vs. UCF. The Scarlet Knights look to win their fourth straight bowl as Rutgers plays in its fifth consecutive bowl for the first time in school history. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. with live television coverage on ESPN.

To order tickets to the St. Petersburg Bowl, please visit scarletknights.com or call the Rutgers Ticket Office at 1-866-445-GORU. Fans can also purchase tickets in-person at the Rutgers Ticket Office, located in the Rutgers Athletic Center, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Bulldogs Snap Losing Skid with 90-89 Win over Gwynedd-Mercy in OT Thriller

Senior Caitlin Miller had a career-high 24 points in the OT win over Gwynedd-Mercy College on Thursday.

BJ Spigelmyer – DeSales SID

12/11/2009 12:03:32 AM

BOX SCORE
Gwynedd Valley, PA (December 10, 2009) – It wasn’t easy but the DeSales University women’s basketball team got the job done, snapping its four-game losing skid with a 90-89 win over Gwynedd-Mercy College in an overtime thriller in non-conference action on Thursday evening at the Griffin Complex.
The Bulldogs (4-4 overall) showed tremendous heart and desire as well as a refuse to lose attitude in the second half and overtime to get back into the win column. After struggling to shoot the ball once again in the first half (25.6 percent), the Bulldogs torched the nets over the final 25 minutes, shooting 53.7 percent in the second half and overtime. DSU also took excellent care of the ball, committing just seven turnovers over the final 25 minutes, after throwing the ball away 17 times in the first half. DeSales also won the battle on the boards, holding a 47-39 advantage, and forced the Griffins (5-2 overall) into 30 turnovers for the game.
DeSales seemed destined for a win in regulation holding a

Students in grades 4 through 7 are invited to learn about New Jersey\’s native fish by participating in the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife\’s 2010 Native Fish Art and Writing Contest. 

The purpose of this annual contest is to encourage children to learn about New Jersey\’s native fish species and their biological requirements, including the habitats they need to survive. Participants must write an original short story about a year in the life of a native New Jersey fish of their choice and draw a scene from their story.

• 

The story must include accurate biological and ecological information about the fish, such as its habitat needs, food preferences, and behavioral characteristics. The drawing must have a finished size of 8.5 x 11 inches and can be done in acrylics, pencils, watercolors, oil, oil pastels, crayons or ink. Creativity and originality in both the story and artwork will weigh heavily with judges, as will the use of proper grammar, sentence structure and spelling. 

First and second place winners from each grade level will receive a fishing rod and reel and a certificate. First place winners will also receive a youth membership in Trout Unlimited. All winners will be invited to the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center on the Opening Day of Trout Season, April 10, 2010 for a special luncheon, awards ceremony and the opportunity to fish for trout in the Pequest Fishing Education Pond. 

Entries for the contest must be received no later than Friday, March 5, 2010.
Sponsorship for the Native Fish Art and Writing Contest is provided by NJ Chapters of Trout Unlimited.
For more information, see http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/fishart.htm .

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• NJ Trout in the Classroom (gloucestercitynews.net)
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• Winners of Governor\’s Surf Fishing Tournament Announced (gloucestercitynews.net)
• An Introduction to Fly Fishing For Smallmouth Bass (thejoyofflyfishing.com)

Link submitted by John Branin http://www.grammbo.typepad.com/the_contemplator/ If you have an article or youtube video you like to share with others send the link to [email protected]

Pa. Firefighter Dies Following Fire Call

RELATED CATEGORY FIRE

Firehouse.com News

Posted: Thu, 12/10/2009 – 08:48 

A Mount Carmel firefighter died at the hospital on Dec. 4, only two hours after responding to a fire call, according to the Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner.

Firefighter Gary F. Neidig Jr. was pronounced after being transported to Shamokin Area Community Hospital. An autopsy is being conducted.

The 36-year-old firefighter is survived by his wife, Michelle, three daughters, Stephanie, Brenda and Chrystal and a son Bradley.

Funeral services were held today, Thursday under the direction of the C.J. Lucas Funeral Home Inc., 27 N. Vine St., Mount Carmel, Pa.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the Church of Our Lady, 47 S. Market St., Mount Carmel, Pa.

via www.firehouse.com

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 15, at the Gardner Funeral Home, 126 South Black Horse Pike, Runnemede for Florence A. Messenger (nee Tucker), who passed away on December 8, 2009 at the age of 95.

She resided in Bellmawr for 40 years and was a member of the Bellmawr Senior Citizens. Florence was born and raised in Gloucester City.

Mrs. Messenger was one of the speakers at the dedication ceremony of the Bellmawr Senior Citizens complex at Bell and Browning roads in March 2008. In the photo taken at that ceremony Senator Rob Andrews and Bellmawr Boro Clerk Chuck Sauter look on.

Beloved wife of the late Frank C. Messenger, Sr. Her husband Frank was a former Gloucester City councilman. Devoted mother of Frank C. Messenger, Jr. (Edith), Kathleen Falkowski (Ramon) and the late Patricia Tanner. Dear mother-in-law of Michael Tanner. Loving grandmom of Florence, Michelle, John, Theresa, Deborah, Denise, Scott, Judith and the late John. Great-grandmom of Christopher, Alexander, Nicholas, Johnny, Sydney, Justin, Meghan, Kaitlyn, Matthew, Anna, Molly, Amanda and Joshua. Dear sister of the late Edward Tucker and Mazie Cleary.

Viewing:

Tuesday, December 15, 2009 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE, 126 South Black Horse Pike, Runnemede, NJ 08078-1997.

Funeral Service:

Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 11:00 AM at the GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE, 126 South Black Horse Pike, Runnemede, NJ 08078-1997.

Interment:

New Saint Mary’s Cemetery, 515 West Browning Road, Bellmawr, NJ 08031-1952.

Contributions:

Family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made in Mrs. Messenger’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 1851 Old Cuthbert Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.

CAMDEN, NJ – The Delaware River Port Authority Board of Commissioners today cast two very important votes that will save money for the traveling public and reduce the Delaware River Port Authority’s debt. In an effort to reduce the burden on toll payers during a time of financial hardship, the Board voted to postpone the September 2010 toll increase.

The tolls on DRPA’s four bridges – the Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross will remain $4 until July 2011.

To adjust for a portion of the revenue lost due to the postponement, DRPA Commissioners voted to reallocate $8 million of economic development funds. This move allows the Authority to pay down its debt and delay increasing the tolls for next 10 months.

\”Given the extraordinarily difficult times that have affected our economy, I am pleased that we are not applying additional financial strain to our customers,\” said John H. Estey DRPA Chairman.

\”People are hurting so we asked staff to find a way to hold off on a toll hike,\” said DRPA Vice Chairman Jeff Nash.

The Board’s postponement of the toll increase reflects its understanding of the impact this economy has had on people of this region, said John J. Matheussen DRPA CEO and PATCO President. \”By not increasing tolls, the average toll paying customer will save approximately $200 during the 10 month time period.\”

The Delaware River Port Authority is a regional transportation agency. DRPA owns and operates the Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross bridges, PATCO, the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal and the RiverLink Ferry.

Image via Wikipedia

 

HARRISBURG – When is the largest bear killed in Pennsylvania’s bear season not the largest bear harvested? When it is the largest bear killed over bait, which equals poaching. That’s what happened when Charles W. Olsen Jr., of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, decided that it’d be easier to kill a bear over a pile of pastries, rather than the method used by ethical hunters.

 

Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer (WCO) Cory Bentzoni became suspicious when he saw a truck loaded with pastries from a local store driving along Route 309 in Dallas, Luzerne County.

• 

 

\”As we were about one week away from the opening of the statewide bear season, I thought that something illegal might be underway,\” WCO Bentzoni said. \”Being that we were so close to bear season, seeing that person drive by with an unusual amount of pastries was like watching an individual go down a row of parked vehicles testing each handle to see if it were open. Something just didn’t seem right.\”