Category: COMMUNITY EVENTS

*Shamrock Celebration Honoring Principal Ed Beckett

Please join us for a fun-filled evening honoring Gloucester Catholic Principal Ed Beckett, whose exemplary guidance and direction has ushered in the next generation of our community leaders.

**Music will be rocking with a live performance by

The Broken Shillelaghs

**Lovely, lively Irish dance by Jordan – Hunt School of Irish Dance

**Delicious traditional dinner, as well as dessert selection and cold beer! Full cash bar with extensive selection, including Irish Coffee in commemorative glass mug, will be available.

**The event will also feature an “Irish Auction” with gift baskets, 50/50, and door prizes, as well as our Queen of Ireland Specialty

Imports Shop!

Friday, March 6, 2020 – 6:30 PM. $25

Elizabeth’s Ballroom

,

419 Highland Blvd, Gloucester City, New Jersey 08030

Tickets:

Purchase tickets

online

, or in person at

St. Mary’s Rectory

,

Carr’s Hardware

,

Sunshine Flowers and Gifts

PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE

NJ IRISH SOCIETY, 420 MONMOUTH STREET, GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ, 08030

Congressman Kim Joins Burlington/Ocean County Schools to Deliver Valentines for Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C.

(February 14, 2020)––

Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03)

joined Toms River Regional and North Hanover Schools to participate in Valentines for Veterans, an effort as part of the annual “

Salute a Veteran Patient Week

” to thank New Jersey veterans for their service and remind them of their special place in our

communities.

“Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, we owe them our thanks and gratitude,” said Congressman Kim. “It is incredibly inspiring to see students from Toms River and North Hanover come together to provide that thanks to our veterans. I want to thank the Toms River and North Hanover schools for their leadership and initiative. They’ve shown the importance of coming together to support those who served.”

Students from Toms River Regional Schools and the North Hanover Township School District participated in this program, making Valentine’s Day cards for veterans. Congressman Kim delivered these valentines to the VA’s Philadelphia Medical Center to be distributed to local veterans.

“The district is always proud to support our local veterans, especially when doing so highlights the talent and compassion of our students,” said Toms River Regional Schools Superintendent David Healy. “We’re thankful to Congressman Kim and his team for helping facilitate this project, we’re proud of our teachers and students for their work and creativity, and we’re hopeful these cards brighten the days of our veterans in VA facilities throughout the area.”

Congressman Kim has been a vocal proponent for a

new veterans’ health care facility in Ocean County

, and has introduced bipartisan legislation to

protect veterans from VA errors

and help

veterans identify employment opportunities

during their transition to civilian life. More information about Congressman Kim can be found on his website by

clicking here

.

FBI Alert: Avoid Becoming a Victim of Romance Scams

Valentine’s Day and other opportunities for romance can be exciting, but they can also lead to heartbreak, embarrassment, and financial loss if you’re not careful.

Criminals search dating sites, apps, chat rooms, and other social media networking sites attempting to build “relationships” for the sole purpose of getting your money or your personally identifiable information.

Romance scams, also called confidence fraud, affected 114 victims in New Mexico in 2019 for a loss of more than $1.6 million, according to the FBI’s Internet Crimes Complaint Center.

To avoid becoming a victim, the FBI Albuquerque Division recommends the following:

Only use reputable, nationally-recognized dating websites; however, be aware that scammers may be using them too.

Research photos and profiles in other online search tools and ask questions.

Never provide your financial information, loan money, nor allow your bank accounts to be used for transfers of funds.

Do not allow attempts to isolate you from family and friends.

Do not blindly believe the stories of severe life circumstances, tragedies, family deaths, injuries, or other hardships geared at keeping your interest and concern.

If you are planning to meet someone in person you have met online, meet in a public place and let someone know where you will be and what time you should return home.

If you are traveling to a foreign country to meet someone check the State Department’s Travel Advisories beforehand (

http://travel.state.gov/

), provide your itinerary to family and friends, and do not travel alone if possible.

Victims may be hesitant to report being taken advantage of due to embarrassment, shame, or humiliation. It’s important to remember, romance scams can happen to anyone at any time.

If you suspect your online relationship is a scam, cease all contact immediately. If you are a victim who has already sent money, immediately report the incident to your financial institution, file a complaint with the Internet Crimes Complaint Center (

www.ic3.gov

), and contact law enforcement.

The Garden State Film Festival

ASBURY PARK, NJ

– Celebrating its 18th Anniversary, the artistic philosophy of the

Garden State Film Festival

is rooted in the celebration of the independent film genre and celebrates this spirit through dramatic screenings and unparalleled film collaborations attracting a diverse audience from around the world. From

Wednesday, 25

–

Sunday, 29 March 2020

in

Asbury Park, New Jersey

, GSFF unveils world premieres, Hollywood stars, industry panels, and as a nonprofit enterprise, serves as an added economic engine for Asbury Park’s vitality through art, commerce and culture. Make your plans to be a part of intriguing panel discussions and can’t miss parties, all held in numerous locations all over the city by the sea.

This year\’s notables include

Linda Hamilton

(

Terminator

) who will receive the

Icon Award

,

Matthew Modine

(

Stranger Things

) who will receive the

Lifetime Achievement Award

,

Robert Patrick

(

Terminator

)

Patriot Award

,

Ashley Platz

(

Grey’s Anatomy

)

Rising Star Award

, director

Tara Wood

Independent Spirit Award

,

David Burke

Home Grown Hero  Award

,

Perry Lang

Renaissance Award

,

Rock & Roll Forever Foundation

Broader Vision Award

,

Arianna Bocco

Exceptional Women in Film

,

Robin Kampf

Educator of the Year Award

,

Nick Falcone

MVP

,

Jack Ford

Honorary Chair

, alongside films that feature

John Goodman

(

The Big Lebowski

),

Harry Shearer

(

Spinal Tap

),

Jodie Foster

(

Taxi Driver

),

Dash Mihok

(

Ray Donovan

),

Uzo Abuda

(

Orange is the New Black

),

Vanessa Williams

(

Ugly Betty

),

Richard E. Grant

(

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

),

Devon Bostick

(

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

),

Frank Stallone

(

Rocky

),

Cathy Moriarity

(

Raging Bull

),

M Emmet Walsh

(

Blade Runner

),

Xander Berekely

(

The Walking Dead

),

Jessica Siposa

(

DC’s Legend’s of Tomorrow

),

Joel McHale

(

Ted

),

Jason Mewes

(

Clerks

), Supermodels

Chanel Iman

,

Elsa Hosk

,

Jessica Stam

,

Nadine Leopold

,

John Carter Cash

(

Walk the Line

),

Sam Waterston

(

Law & Order

),

Catherine Hardwicke

(Director,

Lords of Dogtown

),

Lou Gossett Jr

(

Officer and a Gentlemen

), E

van Handler

(

Sex and the City

),

Gary Pastore

(

The Sopranos

),

Barry Primus

(T

he Irishman

),

Charles Dance

(

Game of Thrones

),

Chad L. Coleman

(

The Walking Dead

),

Kevin Kane

(

Inside Amy Schumer

),

Natalia Dyer

(

Stranger Things

),

Tate Donovan

(

Argo

), memorial music video for

Avicii

by

Chris Martin

(

Coldplay)

, original music by

Patrick Carney

(

The Black Keys

),

The Bouncing Souls

, members of

Gaslight Anthem

,

Travis Barker

(

Blink 182

),

James Arthur

(musician), NBA superstar

Shaquille O’Neal

’s award-winning film

Foster Boy

and many more.

This 5-day event brings a large number of producers, directors, actors, investors, distributors, and industry talent to the State of New Jersey, the birthplace of American filmmaking.

In one weekend, you can enjoy over 240 films on all subjects, in a variety of lengths, showing in numerous locations all around Asbury Park, plus parties, celebrities, seminars, networking, free shuttle rides, and lots more. It’s a fast-paced weekend of non-stop fun for all ages. Films are shown in two-hour-long screening blocks that include a variety of works like shorts, feature-length, music videos, and trailers. Each screening block concludes with a question and answers session with the filmmakers and actors. Other events held throughout the festival include panel discussions and seminars on topics such as

SAG-AFTRA Contracts 101 for Filmmakers

,

ESports & Virtual Reality

,

Demystifying SAG-AFTRA for Actors

, Directors Panel entitled

Small Screen, Big Screen: Directing Choices Different or not,

and film distribution. Planning ahead and using the Garden State Film Festival App will help you not miss a thing. For more information including schedule, tickets, and travel visit

Home

Letters to Aunt Hattie Event February 22

Burlington County Freeholder Director Felicia Hopson announced today that the Women’s Advisory Council is hosting an event to celebrate 100 years of women’s suffrage. The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting women’s constitutional right to vote.

“The performance, Letters to Aunt Hattie, celebrates women’s suffrage as well as the contribution of African-American women to the movement,” said Freeholder Director Felicia Hopson. “This one-woman show is truly inspirational and allows us to reflect on and appreciate the legacies of women like Harriet Forten Purvis and Charlotte Forten Grimke who shaped the women’s rights movement.”

The event will be held on Saturday, February 22 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Burlington County Library Auditorium on Pioneer Blvd. in Westampton. It is free and open to the public.

The play is written and performed by Gilletta McGraw based on the real-life activists Harriet Forten Purvis and Charlotte Forten Grimke.

Charlotte Forten, a young, bright student, begins writing letters to her favorite aunt, Aunt Hattie. Through these letters, Charlotte shares her thoughts during her studies and learns about some of the monumental accomplishments of the women in her family. During their back-and-forth correspondence, Charlotte grows in her activism and dedication to serve the oppressed and fight for equality.

Additionally, Harriet Forten Purvis was an African-American abolitionist and first-generation suffragist. With her mother and sisters, she formed the first biracial women’s abolitionist group, the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society, which was the first biracial women’s abolitionist group. She also hosted anti-slavery events at her home and bravely ran an Underground Railroad station, and fought against Segregation.

“This is just one of the events that the Council will be hosting this year to celebrate 100 years of women’s suffrage,” concluded Freeholder Hopson. “We hope that everyone will join us. The anniversary gives us the opportunity to recognize those who have made a difference in history and empower younger generations.”

The Burlington County Women’s Advisory Council works to identify and address issues that affect women in Burlington County, raise public awareness of the special needs and roles of women, provide mentoring opportunities for women, and enhance the quality of life for all women. For more information follow the Council on Facebook at @BurlingtonCountyWomen or visit: http://co.burlington.nj.us/263/Womens-Advisory-Council

8th ANNUAL GLAMSINO ROYALE: Cannes

Boutique

Rittenhouse

Hotel Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Casino Fundraiser to Benefit Action Wellness

PHILADELPHIA, PA

– Kimpton Hotel Palomar welcomes guests to its eighth annual Glamsino Royale event to benefit Action Wellness

on

Thursday, February 20

from

6 – 9 p.m

.

The event is crucial for Action Wellness to raise funds and continue to spread awareness  and provide a wide range of services to people living with HIV and other chronic illnesses throughout Philadelphia.

This year’s event,

Glamsino Royale: Cannes

, transforms the hotel’s top floors into a glamorous Cannes Film Festival inspired casino scene. Guests should practice their best camera-ready pout and get ready to mix, mingle, and vogue like the best of them! Attendees will sip on chilled libations, enjoy morsels created by the talented Chef Mackenson Horebe of

Square 1682

, and play classic casino games.

Winnings can be swapped for raffle tickets to enter for a chance to win a host of prizes from local retailers, theaters and restaurants, as well as stays at various Kimpton properties in fabulous destinations! The fabulous

Bingo-Verifying Divas

will mingle with the crowd, and DJ Sharyn Stone will be spinning the freshest tunes. Glamsino Royale is an event guests look forward to every year.

Tickets for the event include beer from

Yards Brewing Company

, wine, signature cocktails made with

Faber

spirits, and appetizers.

Tickets

go on sale today,

Wednesday, January 8th

via

https://glamsinoroyale.ticketleap.com/cannes

/

.

For more information, go to

ActionWellness.org

. Get event updates by following along on Twitter

@ActionWellPHL,

@Kimpton

, Instagram

@KimptoninPHL

,

@ActionWellnessPHL

, and

Facebook.com/ActionWellnessPHL

, and share using the hashtag

#GlamsinoRoyale

.

About Action Wellness:

Action Wellness

is one of Philadelphia’s largest AIDS service organizations.  It is committed to helping people living with HIV and other chronic illnesses.  Its services include: medical case management, a range of health screenings including HIV testing, treatment as prevention, prevention education, supportive housing and volunteer services. Action Wellness currently serves over 4,000 clients annually through the efforts of over 400 dedicated volunteers and over 100 professional staff working together to sustain and enhance the quality of life for the diverse community it serves. For more information, visit

actionwellness.org

.

###

Kevin Graham of

Tumbling Dice

with Action Wellness team Kevin Burns and Sarah DeLaurentis at Glamsino Royale 2018.

Guests enjoying casino games at Glamsino Royale 2019.

The Bingo-Verifying Divas mingling with the crowd at Glamsino Royale 2019.

Members of the Gloucester County Commission for Women Sworn In

(Deptford, NJ) –Freeholder Jim Jefferson attended the swearing in ceremony of four members of the Gloucester County Commission for Women (CFW) who were confirmed for new terms.

Marguerite Stubbs, Gail Slimm, Lisa Cerny, and Beverly Wellons took the oath to continue serving the CFW, a fact-finding and advisory group who work to suggest and urge identified reforms in regards to treatment of women.

Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger said, “Thanks to the continued work of individuals like these four women and the Commission for Women as a whole that our county is able to promote reforms in regards to the treatment of women.”

Freeholder Jefferson, who serves as liaison to the commission, said, “The work done by this commissions will always carry a lot of weight and we have so much respect for the members who work tirelessly to help support other women.  This is an appropriate time in our world to highlight the inequity women have faced in every facet of our culture, and change it for the better.”

Pictured: Marguerite Stubbs, Gail Slimm, Freeholder Jim Jefferson, Lisa Cerny, and Beverly Wellons

GCAS’s My Furry Valentine Adoption Event

Fall in love with a new pet

(Clayton, NJ) This Valentine’s Day residents have the opportunity to fall in love with a new furry friend during the Gloucester County Animal Shelter’s (GCAS) My Furry Valentine adoption event taking place on Feb. 14.

Click to enlarge

Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger said, “Even our animals are looking for their special someone on Valentine’s Day. We have plenty of great animals looking for their forever homes and we’re hoping this event helps connect some residents with animals that just need a little extra love this Valentine’s Day.”

Freeholder Deputy Director Frank J. DiMarco, who oversees the GCAS said, “This one-day adoption event features reduced-price and waived fees for dogs and cats. We’re hoping that this reduced cost event can help our animals find great homes and help residents who were on the fence about getting a furry companion use this opportunity to adopt.”

On Friday, Feb. 14 from noon to 4 p.m., dogs and cats five years old and younger will have their adoption fees reduced to $35 while dogs and cats six years and older will have their adoption fees waived.

“On a day made to celebrate loved ones and promote love, we encourage residents to extend that love to the animals in our shelter who have plenty of love to give,” added Freeholder Deputy Director DiMarco.

Residents must have their adoption applications approved by Feb. 14 to participate. Applications can be found at

http://www.co.gloucester.nj.us/depts/a/shelter/peradoptapp.asp

and can be completed online or mailed to the GCAS.

The Gloucester County Animal Shelter is located at 1200 North Delsea Drive in Clayton.

For more information call (856) 881-2828.

Food Waste Recycling Pilot in Camden County

(Gloucester Township, NJ) – Cafeterias and kitchens in county buildings will soon begin filling recycling containers instead of dumpsters thanks to a pilot program approved by the Freeholder Board. Proposals are currently being accepted to find a vendor who will collect food waste generated during meal preparation and transport it to local composting and food recycling sites.

Mass production kitchens, like the ones at Camden County College and the Camden County Correctional Facility, produce thousands of pounds of food waste during preparation. However, the skin of potatoes, peels of bananas, and other excess organic materials currently being carted away to the incinerator or landfill along with the rest of Camden County’s trash, can be recycled and reused just like paper and plastics.

The pilot program is one more way the Freeholder Board hopes to lessen the environmental impact of facilities owned and operated by the county.

“We’re looking at thousands of pounds of organic material that has an environmentally-friendly, cost-effective use, and we are currently throwing it away with all of our other trash,” said Freeholder Jonathan Young, liaison to the Camden County Office of Sustainability. “By reducing the tonnage we’re sending to the incinerator we can save the taxpayer money, while also taking the county one-step further towards environmental sustainability.”

To implement the program, the county is looking for a vendor to supply 55-gallon bins that can store food waste generated in kitchens at county facilities. That vendor will then collect the recyclable material and deliver it to sites where it can be reused as animal feed or recycled via composting or anaerobic digestion.

Composting involves mixing food waste with browns like leaves and dirt to create a nutrient rich soil conditioner. Once the organic material has broken down, the mixture can be combined with soil used to grow plants, fruits, and vegetables.

Alternatively, anaerobic digestion uses microorganisms to break down the food waste, which then releases methane. This methane can be converted into usable gas which generates electricity, heat, or other fuels.

Collected materials for the pilot program are to come solely from kitchen preparation, where the majority of waste is generated. Cooked ingredients and food that has been handled by customers or patrons will continue to be thrown in the trash to avoid contamination.

“The United States generates more than 100 billion pounds of mostly edible food waste each year,” Young said. “If we can find a way to reduce our contribution to that total, while also saving the taxpayer money and reducing the amount of material entering our waste stream, then we are going to pursue it.”

Bids for the program will be opened on Feb. 11. The chosen vendor will be awarded a one-year contract for food waste collection services, with the opportunity to renew the program twice.

The program will be administered by Camden County’s Office of Sustainability, the first-of-its-kind in New Jersey, which also runs several county-wide sustainability programs and initiatives and serves as a central hub for all of the county’s 37 municipalities. The office runs the Hydroponic Greenhouse Program, started in 2016, which grows fruits and vegetables year-round to use in lunches for senior programs and to generate revenue by partnering with local restaurants.

Somers Point Green Thumb Garden Club Meeting

Somers Point Garden Club will discuss the region\’s flowers at an upcoming meeting.

SOMERS POINT, NJ–Shake off the winter doldrums while discovering the “Hidden Beauties of South Jersey and Where to Find Them.”

William Reinert, past department head of Atlantic Country Public Works with 35 years in Mosquito Control, will share and discuss photos of the region at the meeting Tuesday, March 3 at 7 p.m. in the Somers Point Senior Center located at Massachusetts Avenue and Ambler Road.

All are welcome to the event hosted by the Green Thumb Garden Club of Somers Point.

For more information call Sally at (609) 927-4147.