by Hank F. Miller Jr.

  Winding through rice paddies and lazily blowing its whistle along bubbly creeks, a two -car train in rural central Japan is the latest entrant in the battle against global warming. Following its runaway success with hybrid cars, Japan is bringing the world hybrid trains. Regular passenger service runs began on July 31 st. on a short mountain route, the first time a diesel-electric hybrid train was put into commercial service.  

\”It\’s part of efforts for the Japanese to be green environmentally,\” Yasuaki Kikuchi, a spokesman for East Japan Railway Co., said on July 27th.

Compared to cars, trains are a relatively small contributor to global warming. In the United States, railways contribute just 4 percent of transportation-related emissions of carbon dioxide.  

But the popularity of hybrid cars is helping to boost interest in hybrid trains. Railway companies around the world are working on or investigating the technology. The Kiha E-200, as it is known, is equipped with a diesel engine, two electric motors under each of its cars and lithium ion batteries on the roof. It boosts fuel efficiency by 20 percent and reduces emissions by up to 60 percent. With the word\” hybrid\” splashed in silver across its side, the otherwise normal-looking train rolled quietly out of Nakagomi Station in Nagano Prefecture, powered by its four electric motors in a test run.  

The diesel engine only kicks in with a rumble when needed to climb a hill or if the batteries run low. The batteries are recharged when the train slows down. After the power is switched off, the motors continue to turn for a while, and that energy–wasted in a non hybrid train– is used to recharge the batteries. The Kiha E-200,which seats 46 and can hold 117 people, including standees, debuted on a line that runs about once an hour on a 79-kilometerroute through a mountainous area.

 

Warm Regards form Kitakyushu City, Japan

 

 

The Burlington County Times is reporting in today\’s newspaper that the Gloucester City School District has hired Paul Spaventa (photo) as superintendent.

According to the Times, Spaventa has been school district superintendent in Mount Holly for two years. He was offered the Gloucester City job July 18, said Louisa Llewellyn, president of the Gloucester City Board of Education.

She said Spaventa and the board signed a contract during Thursday\’s school board meeting. Contract details were not disclosed.

Llewellyn said Spaventa was the first choice of the district. What convinced board members he was the right man for the job, she said, was their visit to Mount Holly.

\”The people there were all so positive about him,\” she said Friday. \”I think that was the final selling point.\”

Spaventa and Mount Holly school board President Carol Johnson did not return messages seeking comment Friday.

Llewellyn said Spaventa will start as an assistant superintendent in mid-November. He\’ll serve in that capacity until Dec. 31 when current Superintendent Mary Stansky officially retires.

Mount Holly residents have long suspected Spaventa was planning to leave, and some criticized the school board for giving him a $5,000 raise at a time he was said to be looking for a new job. The increase raised Spaventa salary to $128,000.

Stansky receives $175,000 plus benefits.

Johnson said last month, however, that Spaventa\’s contract called for an annual salary review and the board gave him a raise because he\’d earned it.

Spaventa\’s departure marks another in a list of resignations from the district this summer. Longtime business administrator Theresa Margiotta and Anthony Dent, principal at the Holbein School, have left the district, as have a number of teachers.

The district contract with Mount Holly Education Association, the teachers union, expired June 1. What role Spaventa will play in those negotiations in his remaining months is unclear.

However, association President Marilyn Melchionni said last month, \”We will dance when he leaves. I think this will make negotiations easier. I don\’t think he\’ll have any weight to pull. We\’re a lot more optimistic now. Hopefully things will get settled a little bit quicker.\”

Melchionni did not return a message left on her cellular phone Friday.

Source http://www.phillyburbs.com/

Nineteen candidates expressed interest in the job of Superintendent. The field was narrowed down to Spaventa and Gloucester High School Principal Jack Don.

see more on New Superintendent

see more on new superintendent

 

 

Dog Quote: A man bitten by a dog, whether the animal is mad or not, is apt to get mad himself.
….George D. Prentice

*********************************

Dog Food

It is important that you select the correct food for your dog. With all the fancy packaging and advertising that is available these days it can be difficult determining what food is best for your dog.

The manufacturers prepare food based on the age of your dog, and the food you buy for an elderly dog might not be suitable for a puppy. Proper nutrition is vital to the health of your dog and its happiness, and it is essential that your pet get all the vitamins and minerals that it needs for a healthy diet.

Here is a list of some of the vitamins and minerals that your dog should have in its diet…Vitamins A, D, E, B-complex, Biotin, Calcium, Choline, Copper, Folic Acid, Iodine, Iron, Magnesium, Niacin, Manganese, Pantothenic Acid, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium, Sodium Chloride and Zinc.

Of course, that is not all but they are certainly ingredients that you should be looking to find in your dogs diet. Giving your dog fresh meat with some vegetables and grain included is a healthy natural diet that many people believe is better than anything you can buy from the store.

There are also some excellent books on creating your own dog food where you can be assured that your dog will get all the best ingredients needed
for all-around nutrition

This can be quite a cost effective method of feeding your dog without being concerned that the dog might not be receiving all the ingredients it should for a healthy happy life.

If your dog has any specific health problems, this needs to be addressed when determining what food you should be feeding it. A consultation with your vet would be wise to see if there are any special requirements or problems that certain foods might create for your pet.

Photo Lacey following a snow storm February 2007

By Doug Skinner

This time of year tensions are running high. The shore traffic is clogging the highways, the heat is unbearable, and it seems that there is no end in sight. How do you deal with the friction of summer?

I run away.

The fishing is great in South Jersey, but sometimes you have to spread your wings and cast a little further to find the peace that only a quiet day on the water can provide.

Sit down, poke around on the Internet and plan a camping trip. It doesn\’t matter whether you head north, south, east, or west, what is important is being able to stretch a line without the sound of a busy highway looming in the distance.

Searching for solitude doesn\’t have to be difficult. There are a number of places within an hour\’s drive that can provide great fishing opportunities as well as the peace and quiet that we all deserve once in a while.

If you\’re camping on a lake, look to the feeder creeks and streams to catch the most fish. The water in the shallow lakes of South Jersey is often extremely warm this time of year, and during the middle of the day fishing can be quite difficult unless you seek cooler water.

Predators like largemouth bass and chain pickerel will hold along the shoreline in these feeder creeks and wait for minnows or other prey to pass. The moving water is oxygen rich and a welcome reprieve from the stagnant main body of the lake.

If you\’re camping along a river or stream you may be in for a surprise. The cooler water keeps the fish active and aggressive. Largemouth bass and chain pickerel rule the lake, but they can be found in healthy numbers on the river as well.

Many big bass and pickerel live on the river, but along with these popular game fish some others seem to be more prevalent in the river. White perch, calico bass (a.k.a crappie), and a variety of catfish seem to love the cooler moving waters of a river.

Fishing for catfish can provide some of the most productive and exciting fishing on any river. This is a great activity for kids, simply because catfish will eat just about anything that floats by.

Thinking about throwing out an old package of hot dogs? Is chicken liver on sale at the grocery store? (Even if it isn\’t, it\’s generally cheaper than buying a dozen night crawlers).

Since catfish are primarily bottom feeders all you will need is a medium-sized bait hook and a sinker. After you cast just be patient and let these wily cats come to you.

Try to keep the line fairly taught. If you do, you will be able to pick up even the lightest nibble. When you set the hook on a large catfish hold on, because they do not like to come off the bottom and they will fight hard to stay there.

Perch and crappie will chase anything resembling a minnow. In the river Rapala\’s suspending Husky Jerks are indispensable. If you don\’t have any of those in your box sometimes all you need is a plastic grub and a jig head.

Experiment with different colors to find an effective match. Perch are some of the best eating fish in freshwater, so bring some back to camp and cook them over the fire for a meal to remember.

There are hundreds of places to camp in South Jersey; all you have to do is look. No matter where you go, don\’t forget your fishing rods. There are fish in just about every pond or puddle in the state and with a little effort you\’ll have no trouble hooking a few.

Doug Skinner covers freshwater fishing for the Courier-Post. He runs a fishing club at Gateway High School and is a volunteer fishing instructor for the Boy Scouts. He can be reached at [email protected]

More Fishing stories and photos
 

HAMILTON, GEORGE SR. \’SHORTY\’

On August 10, 2007. Born on October 7, 1917 and a resident of Oaklyn for 50 years. George, best known as \’Shorty\’, own-ed and operated Shorty\’s Newstand in Fairview for over 35 years. George then turned his interests toward the vending business and with his brothers by his side, he built Terminal Vending Company into a thriving business that stood as a local landmark in Oaklyn for over 50 years. George had many interests which included traveling, private coaches, boats and private planes which he loved to share with everyone.
George was the loving husband of the late, Vera Hamilton (nee Panko). He was the brother of the late, Thomas Hamilton. He is survived by his brother, Robert Hamilton, Sr. (Mary) of Laurel Springs and his close personal friends Rev. John Bloh and Bobby Baker. George is also survived by his 8 children: George Hamilton Jr. (Janet), Patricia DiSalvio (Carl), Linda Bach, Sharon Gaidas (Rick), Joan Cardegnio (Rich-ard), Joyce Hamilton, Richard Hamilton (Kathy) and Debbie Lucchese (Thomas); his 13 grandchildren, Tracy Bach, Brian Bach, Robert Bach, Jamie Sapnas, CrystalCardegnio-Weller, Samantha Hamilton, Danielle Wilder, George Hamilton III, Max Hamilton, Nicholas Lucchese, Rachel Lucchese, Jason Hamilton, Olivia Hamilton and 7 great grandchildren; George was well known by many, loved by all and will be greatly missed.
Relatives and friends are invited to his view-ing Tuesday from 6:00 -9:00 PM and again Wed-nesday from 9:30 – 10:30 AM at the HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, 9 White Horse Pike (at Kings Hwy.), Haddon Heights. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday 11:00 AM at St. Rose of Lima RC Church, 4th Ave. and Kings Hwy., Haddon Heights. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the American Cancer Society, 1851 Old Cuthbert Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 healeyfuneralhomes.com

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is SGT (RET.) Anthony R. Fedele Jr. I grew up in this great city, and I am damn proud of it. I am a disabled veteran, retired from the U.S. Army for 8 years now. I served in the Infantry for an amazing 6 years and wouldn\’t change that for the world. Those of my old friends that know me now, know that every time I talk about the military, I well up in tears, let alone when I talk about those of my brethren that have fallen.

 

I have been trying to follow the proposal to change the names of some of our city streets to those who have died serving our country. Although I am not a subject matter expert in our city politics, I thought it might be nice for a veteran to put his humble two cents into the pot. I can\’t emphasize how amazing it feels to know that our city government hasn\’t forgotten about our friends and family members that have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. I personally have my own opinion as to whether or not we should rename the streets after these heroes but, I think the more important issue is for everyone to understand one thing… Those that have fallen, still live inside us.

 

Every time you look at the American Flag flying in the wind, see soldiers coming home to their families after serving in another country, or hear that twenty-one gun salute being fired in a cemetery, those are the moments that make you stop and think of your close ones that have passed. It doesn\’t take a large-scale, monumental change, to show how much you appreciate what those soldiers have done for us. It is the small things that really make an impact. The shot glass full of liquor, sitting next to the picture of Mark Ryan in the local bar, or the monument on the corner of Broadway St. and Monmouth St. that you stop by to read every so often while walking to Cabana\’s for some water ice. It\’s the small, nonchalant gestures that make you tear up, take a moment, and look into the sky and say a silent \”Thank You\”.

 

As for my opinion, I personally would like to see another monument built for our city to replace the existing one. The new monument will have all of our local heroes on it, disregarding which war they had fallen in. The monument will be able to be updated as needed. Something that can recognize those that have fallen in the past, and also be able to recognize those that fall in our future. This, in my honest and humble opinion, would be something I would be proud of. Something that I can look at and say my silent \”Thank You\” to.

 

Again, just two-cents from a veteran who is proud to be back in this city.

Sincerely,

 

Anthony R. Fedele Jr.

 

DIGENNI, JUSTIN J.
On August 7, 2007 of Mt. Ephraim, NJ age 76 yrs.
Beloved husband of 52 years to Mary (nee Mason). Dear father of James (Laura) DiGenni of Mullica Hill, Susan (Larry) Dion of Cape May Court House, Linda (Neil) Brooks of Mt. Ephraim, Donna (Marco) Gigliello of Mt. Laurel, Robert DiGenni (Angela) of Mt. Ephraim, Michael (Carmela) DiGenni of Turnersville, Justine DiGenni of Mt. Ephraim; loving grandfather of Brian, Angela and Darren Brooks, Ernie and Sam Dion, Isabella Gigliello, Dominic DiGenni, Assunta DiGenni, Alyssa, Nicole, Johnny, Michael and Rocco. Brother of the late Frank, Daniel, Albert, Angelo, Lucy Tyszka and John. Also survived by his brother in law Stephen Tyszka of FL, sisters in law Betty DiGenni of Mullica Hill and Madelyn DiGenni of Sea Isle.
Formerly of Camden, Justin was a resident of Mt. Ephraim for 44 years. Prior to his retirement, he was a Supervisor for John B. Canuso Inc. Justin was a U.S. Army veteran and served during the Korean Conflict. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #72, Brooklawn.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing Monday morning from 8:30-9:45AM at Sacred Heart Church, Kings Hwy, Mt. Ephraim. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00AM. Burial will follow in New St. Mary\’s Cemetery, Bellmawr. Contributions in Justin\’s memory may be made to: Alzheimer\’s Assoc, S.J. Regional Office, 3 Eves Drive, Suite 310, Marlton, NJ 08053 or Samaritan Hospice, 5 Eves Drive, Suite 300, Marlton, NJ 08053. Arrg. by HENRY FH, Audubon (www.henryfuneralhome.com)

HANKINS, WILLIAM A.
On August 8, 2007 age 72 years, of Audubon, NJ.
Survived by a brother Frederick Hankins (Marge) of Blackwood, a sister-in-law Barbara L. Hankins of Oaklyn. Also survived by many nieces and nephews; Fred Hankins Jr., Bob, Paul, Dave, and John Hendry, Leonard and Timothy Hankins, Barbara Marks and John Hankins.
Mr. Hankins attended Camden Catholic High School, and served in the US Army during the Korean War. He worked for the Verizon Co., as a Building Mechanic for over 33 years. He was a member of St. Rose Church in Haddon Heights. He will be missed by many friends including his close friends at Ponzio\’s of Brooklawn, NJ and the Brooklawn Diner.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the viewing on Monday from 8:30-9:30AM at the DuBOIS FUNERAL HOME, 700 S. White Horse Pike, Audubon, NJ. Funeral Mass will be held 10:00AM at St. Rose of Lima Church, 704 Kings Highway, Haddon Heights, NJ. Interment Calvary Cemetery, Rt. 70, Cherry Hill, NJ.

PALUMBO
Kathryn A.
On August 9, 2007. Age 78. Of West Collingswood Heights Section of Haddon Township, formerly of Fairview Section of Camden and Gloucester City. Loving wife of 49 years to the late Alfred W. Palumbo.
Cared for by her loving sons: Robert W. (Marilyn E.) of King of Prussia, PA, Thomas A. (June) of Carneys Point, John D. (Cyndy) of Egg Harbor Township, Alfred J. (Debra) of Sewell, Mark D. (Cheryl) of West Deptford, James M. (Gina) of West Collingswood Heights and Michael J. (PeggyJeanne) of Gloucester City. Beloved grandmother of 25 and dear great-grandmother of 15.
Kathryn was born and raised in Camden. She was a resident of Fairview where she was involved with the Womens I.C.A.C, Fairview Historical Society and very involved with the Fairview Senior Citizens Group.
Relatives, friends and members of Kathryn\’s organizations are kindly invited to attend her viewing on Monday Evening from 7-9pm and Tuesday morning from 10am-11am at the HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 9 White Horse Pike, (At Kings Highway) Haddon Heights. Ph: 856-547-1675. Religious Service, 11am in the funeral home officiated by her Son, Robert, Pastor of Vineyard Community Church, Chester Springs, PA. Interment New Saint Mary\’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.
The family kindly requests memorial donations in Kathryn\’s memory to: The Cooper Foundation: 1 Cooper Plaza, Camden, New Jersey 08103. Please write in the memo of the check, Kathryn A. Palumbo. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Kathryn A. Palumbo. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries may be made through: