Category: CONSUMER NEWS

*Gloucester City\’s Feral Animal Society Fundraiser

source: The Feral Animal Society, of Gloucester City

Gloucester City, NJ–The Feral Animal Society of Gloucester City is a non-profit 501(c)(3) foundation, established in 2019.

Our primary mission is to manage the population of feral animals in Gloucester City and to provide humane education about feral animals to our community.

We strive to create humane, safe communities for feral cats and dogs through Trap-Neuter-Return and Colony Health Maintenance. Our goals are to reduce the suffering and birth rate of these animals, the number of cats and dogs entering shelters, and the number of healthy cats and dogs being euthanized.

Through community partnership and volunteerism, we promote animal health and the significance of the human-animal bond in the well-being of our community.

Our Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) Program, an ongoing endeavor, is scheduled at regular intervals in conjunction with our contracted partners.

Our Colony Health Maintenance activities include providing daily feedings, and building small outdoor shelters and feeding stations.  Whenever possible, we attempt to socialize these animals to humans, and foster them toward adoption.

The Feral Animal Society of Gloucester City Community Humane Education Series,

Activities Workshops and Volunteer Program,

Map of the Gloucester City Cat Colonies,

TNR Statistics and Cat and Dog Census.

How to Help.

FUNDRAISER

THE FERAL ANIMAL SOCIETY of GLOUCESTER CITY, NON-PROFIT 501 (c) (3) Foundation, TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return)

FUNDRAISER Thursday, February 20, 2020

* Gift Baskets Raffle * 20% of all food and drink sales between 4p-9pm will be donated by Pat’s Select to the Feral Animal Society of Gloucester City Foundation, NON-PROFIT, 501 (c) (3).

Date: 2/20/2020 04:00 PM – 2/20/2020 09:00 PM

Location: PAT\’S SELECT 400 South Broadway, Gloucester City, NJ, USA (

Map

)

More Info: 856-456-1111

Gloucester City, NJ, USA

856-375-8556

– The Feral Animal Society of Gloucester City

GCFASF@yahoo.com

source

https://www.fafgc.com/

EPA Releases 2019 Year in Review Highlighting Accomplishments/Environmental Progress

under President Trump & Administrator Andrew Wheeler

NEW YORK (Feb., 2020) –

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the

2019 Year in Review

outlining major accomplishments and environmental progress during the Trump administration.

“Under President Trump, we have fulfilled many promises to the American people to address some of our most important environmental and human health challenges while unleashing the economy and fostering innovation,”

said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.

“In 2019, EPA deleted 27 Superfund sites – the largest number of sites deleted from the National Priorities List since FY 2001 – and proposed the first update to the Lead and Copper Rule in nearly three decades. Since the beginning of the administration, EPA has finalized 49 deregulatory actions saving Americans more than $5 billion in regulatory costs and re-designated 35 areas around the country, moving them into attainment with federal air quality standards and lifting major regulatory burdens off local businesses. As we celebrate our 50th year of EPA, I am honored to lead an agency with such a successful record.”

“Our annual report reflects the hard work of the dedicated staff of Region 2 to engage in the broader community to support EPA’s vital mission of protecting human health and the environment,”

said EPA Regional Administrator Pete Lopez.

“While we are proud of our accomplishments to keep air, water and land clean and tackle new challenges across the diverse region we serve, we are committed to redoubling our collective efforts to achieve even greater environmental results.”

EPA accomplishments include:

Finalizing 16 deregulatory actions, saving Americans more than $1.5 billion in regulatory costs.

Inviting 38 new projects in 18 states to apply for WIFIA loans totaling $6 billion dollars to help finance over $12 billion dollars in water infrastructure investments and create up to 200,000 jobs.

Finalizing the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule – replacing the prior administration’s overreaching Clean Power Plan – which is projected to result in annual net benefits of $120 – 730 million along with a reduction in CO2 emission from the electric sector fall by as much as 35 percent below 2005 levels in 2030.

Providing $64.6 million to 151 communities with Brownfields grants, which will provide communities with funding to assess, clean up, and redevelop underutilized properties. 108 of those communities – over 70 percent – had identified sites or targeted areas within Opportunity Zones.

Securing the investment of over $4.4 billion in actions and equipment that achieve compliance with the law and control pollution, an increase of over $400 million from FY 2018.

Signing a directive to prioritize agency efforts to reduce animal testing including reducing mammal study requests and funding by 30 percent by 2025 and eliminating them by 2035.

Advancing EPA’s PFAS Action Plan – the first multi-media, multi-program, national research, management, and risk communication plan to address an emerging contamination of concern like PFAS. In 2019, EPA sent the proposed regulatory determination under the Safe Drinking Water Act for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water to the Office of Management and Budget for interagency review, validated a new test method to identify additional PFAS compounds in drinking water, issued Interim Recommendations for Addressing Groundwater Contaminated with PFOA and PFOS under federal cleanup programs, and announced the availability of nearly $5 million for new research on PFAS in agriculture.

Awarding 36 environmental education regional grants in 25 states totaling more than $3 million.

Launching Smart Sectors program in all ten regional offices covering a variety of sectors including agriculture, forestry, mining, oil and gas, cement, and concrete.

Click here to read the full report: Here’s the link:

https://www.epa.gov/newsroom/epa-year-review-2019

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at

and visit our Facebook page,

http://facebook.com/eparegion2

SAY “I DO” WITH THE KIMMEL CENTER CULTURAL CAMPUS & GARCES EVENTS

– IN THE KIMMEL CENTER’S HAMILTON ROOFTOP GARDEN

Elopement Package with Champagne Toast, Décor, Light Bites, Professional Photography, Officiant, and more Winner of The Knot’s “Best of Weddings” 2-years-running

(Philadelphia, PA, February 6, 2020) – Garces Events and the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus are excited to announce the second consecutive “Vows with a View,” an intimate and all-inclusive elopement/vow renewal package for five lucky couples on Saturday, June 20, 2020, at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts’ Hamilton Rooftop Garden, voted “Best of Weddings, 2019” and “Best of Weddings, 2020” by The Knot. For a modern way to say “I do,” this elopement package is a one-day-only event for friends and family to toast to the newlyweds with bubbles and bites from the award-winning Garces Catering team while overlooking the Avenue of the Arts.

In partnership with the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus and Garces Events, NBC10 is hosting a giveaway, including the 10 am “Vows with a View” wedding time slot, along with VIP tickets to the Hello, Dolly!, part of the Kimmel Center’s Broadway series. The giveaway runs through Thursday, February 13, 2020. Go to

NBC10.com/contests

to enter.

“Following the success of last fall’s first-ever ‘Vows with a View’ elopement event, the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus is thrilled to again join our partners at Garces Events to celebrate the love stories of five more couples, this time in the most popular of all wedding months – June!” said Ed Cambron, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. “As we combine ovation-worthy weddings with the natural excitement of an elopement, what better way to build this tradition than to give away a free wedding? Thank you to our partners at NBC10, who are hosting this onc

“Vows with a View is a truly unique event for couples looking to elope that affords them the opportunity to celebrate their love with key elements that make a traditional wedding—mouth-watering food and stunning venue—without the long-term planning,” says Chef Jose Garces. “We’re eager to bring Garces Events’ award-winning cuisine to this year’s lucky couples for an unforgettable experience.” Garces Events is the only chef-driven caterer in the city and the exclusive caterer for Kimmel Events, which includes the Hamilton Rooftop Garden, a high tech, multi-purpose space for special events, featuring a 6,200-square-foot hardwood maple floor and breathtaking views of the Philadelphia skyline.

Garces Events is the only chef-driven caterer in the city and the exclusive caterer for Kimmel Events, which includes the Hamilton Rooftop Garden, a high tech, multi-purpose space for special events, featuring a 6,200-square-foot hardwood maple floor and breathtaking views of the Philadelphia skyline. Additionally, Garces Events offers their services in nine exclusive unique locations while integrating their impeccable hospitality and award-winning cuisine.

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts was selected as a 2020 winner of The Knot Best of Weddings, an accolade representing the highest- and most-rated wedding professionals as reviewed by real couples, their families and wedding guests on The Knot, a leading wedding planning brand and app. This is the third year the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts has been named a winner of The Knot Best of Weddings awards, having received the honor in 2017 and 2019.

In 2020, only five percent of hundreds of thousands of local wedding professionals listed on The Knot received this distinguished award. In its fourteenth annual year, The Knot continues its longstanding tradition of supporting local wedding vendors with The Knot Best of Weddings 2020, an annual by couples, for-couples guide to the top wedding professionals across the country. To determine the winners, The Knot analyzed its millions of user reviews across various vendor categories, including venues, musicians, florists, photographers, caterers and more, to find the highest rated vendors of the year. These winners represent the best of the best wedding professionals that engaged couples should consider booking for their own unique wedding.

DNREC Fish/Wildlife Police Blotter Jan. 27- Feb. 2

Reminder for the week: Snow Goose Conservation Order season provides additional hunting opportunities

DOVER (Feb. 7, 2020) – DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources, promote boating safety, and protect the public through outreach, education, and law enforcement. To help achieve public compliance with laws and regulations, officers from Jan. 27-Feb. 2 made 1,713 public contacts and responded to 61 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Officers issued a total of 28 citations for the following listed violations related to:

Wildlife Conservation:

Unlawful to provide a guided hunt on division lands, unlicensed hunting, hunting license forgery, hunting migratory waterfowl without required HIP number, hunting migratory waterfowl without required state waterfowl stamp, hunting migratory waterfowl without required federal waterfowl stamp, and possession of unlawfully taken waterfowl.

Boating & Boating Safety:

Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets.

Public Safety:

Striking an occupied dwelling with shot discharged from a firearm.

Other:

Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area, operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area, unregistered motor vehicle on a state wildlife area, and criminal mischief.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters, and boaters who comply with Delaware’s fishing, hunting, and boating laws and regulations. The public can report fish, wildlife, and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580 or using the free smartphone DENRP Tip app downloaded from the Google Play Store or iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations can be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030, going online to

http://de.gov/ogt

, or using the DENRP Tip app; Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind hunters that the 2020 Snow Goose Conservation Order season to harvest snow geese will be closing for the youth waterfowl hunting day on Saturday, Feb. 8, reopening Monday, Feb. 10 through Friday, April 10, excluding Sundays.

The Snow Goose Conservation Order season allows use of unplugged shotguns and electronic calls, with no daily bag and possession limits. Legal shooting hours are a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset. Federal and state hunting regulations otherwise apply.

To participate in the Snow Goose Conservation Order season, hunters must obtain and keep in their possession while hunting snow geese a free Snow Goose Conservation Order permit number, available at

https://egov.delaware.gov/htr

.  Individuals needing assistance in obtaining the permit number can call 302-735-3600 during business hours Monday through Friday.

Conservation Order participants are also required to have a valid Delaware hunting license or license-exempt number (LEN) or a Maryland resident hunting license (unless exempt in Maryland), a Delaware waterfowl stamp (unless exempt), and a Delaware Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. A federal waterfowl stamp is not required.

LEN and HIP numbers are available, and participants in the Conservation Order are required to report their hunting activity and success to the Division of Fish & Wildlife by Wednesday, May 1, 2020, at the website above or by calling 855-DELHUNT (855-335-4868).

For more information on the Snow Goose Conservation Order, please call 302-739-9912 or visit

https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/fish-wildlife/

.

Things to Do if You Have Doubts about the Used Car You Want to Buy

Gloucestercitynews.net (February 9, 2020)–As you try to decide which used car you want to purchase, you realize that the ones on your shortlist aren’t necessarily the best choices. They check some standards on your list, but not all of them. These are the

image credit unsplash.com

things you need to do if you still doubt the quality of the used car you consider buying.

Ask for help from a mechanic

It helps if you can work with a mechanic to check the quality of the vehicle. Mechanics are experts in assessing the quality of cars. You will know if there are recurring issues you need to be mindful of. The mechanic will also advise you if the vehicle is worth the price, or if it\’s way too expensive. You will feel more confident about your decision after talking to a mechanic.

Review the car history report

Even if you already looked at the car history report, it pays to have another look. Check every detail to see if there are patterns. If you don’t understand the report, you can ask someone else to interpret it for you. Since you have no idea about what the car went through in the past, this report is your only glimpse into its history.

Look at other options

There’s no need to hurry when buying a used car. Take your time to look at other choices, and determine if they’re worth buying. There could still be other choices that you might want to consider. You should wait until you find the perfect match rather than settle for a car that’s not worth it. You will end up with lots of repair expenses. Even if you save money buying the car, it might be nothing compared to how much you spend repairing it later.

Partner with a different company

Perhaps, there’s no problem with the specific model that you’re looking at. The issue is with the used car company. There’s no proper screening done on the cars they sell. They also don’t do the necessary repairs. If you\’re into a certain model, you might want to try other used car shops. You can find the same model with much better quality.

Suspend your plans

You can reconsider your plans to buy a car later when there’s a better model available. You don’t want to rush this decision since it’s a major investment. Even if you save money by choosing a used car over a brand-new model, it’s still a significant amount. You don’t want to regret it because you settled for an option you were doubtful about.

Why not consider

Used Cars Layton Utah

if you want a quality used car? With the positive reviews received by the company and their proven track record, you won\’t go wrong. Start by looking at the choices online. You can visit the shop to see the vehicles. Take a test drive in the model you like and decide if it’s worth buying.

/photos/YApS6TjKJ9c

Kimmel Center Presents : Grey Rock

\”\’Making theater shows in Palestine\’ — with a limited infrastructure and lack of state funding — \’sometimes feels like building rockets,\’ [Amir Nizar Zuabi, playwright] said. \’But when they take off, it’s glorious.\’\”

– The New York Times

PHILADELPHIA PA–A play about the inalienable right to dream, Grey Rock tells the story of a Palestinian man so enamored with the 1969 American moon landing that he muses, \”shouldn\’t Palestine, the land of prophets, also have a presence on the moon?\” Without

money or technology, but with the help of his bemused West Bank neighbors, he sets out to build a space shuttle. Knowing full well that he can\’t succeed with this impossible, but necessary task. Chaos ensues when his family discovers his plan.

This humorous, poetic work is performed by a five-member cast (from the West Bank and Israel) featuring renowned theater/screen actor, Khalifa Natour. Commissioned and Produced by U.S.-based Remote Theater Project to address English speaking communities.

Credits

The play was developed with support from The A. M. Qattan Foundation, Tajwaal Foundation, CEC Arts Link, Tilt Left Fund , The Still Point Fund, La MaMa Theatre, and many private individuals. Grey Rock first premiered at La MaMa Theatre.

Who is Remote Theater Project?

Remote Theater Project, an American theater company founded and led by Producing Artistic Director Alexandra Aron. The company is dedicated to bringing theater artists who are geographically or politically isolated to New York City to develop new work and help them to tour internationally to have their voices heard outside the confines of their region and reach. Grey Rock is the first play commissioned by Remote Theater Project.

Who is Amir Nizar Zuabi?

Amir Nizar Zuabi is considered by his peers and theatre critics, to be one of the leading theatre directors in the Middle East. After graduating with honors from Israel’s prestigious Nissan Native Acting Studio, and attending workshops in France and Russia, Zuabi first cut his teeth directing “Stories Under Occupation” for Al Kasabah theatre in Ramallah. (Best Production – Cairo Theatre festival and Cartage festival). The show toured extensively, to wide acclaim, at the Royal Court London, Tokyo International Arts Festival, Goteborg Festival, amongst other destinations.

In Response to Climate Change, the State DEP Begins Reforms Environmental Requirements

TRENTON – One week after Governor Phil Murphy and Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe announced a comprehensive effort to modernize New Jersey\’s environmental regulations to protect our communities and economy against the threats of climate change, the Department of Environmental Protection is moving forward  with a collaborative rule making process, holding several stakeholder events throughout February and March, to make the New Jersey Protecting Against Climate Threats (NJ PACT) reforms a reality.

The DEP has scheduled a series of stakeholder sessions to gather input from residents, businesses and advocates on the development of new greenhouse gas reduction and environmental land use regulations aimed at reducing the impact of climate change and adapting to the realities of certain impacts, like sea-level rise.

\”New Jersey is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, from sea-level rise that threatens our coastline to air pollution that harms our most vulnerable communities,\” said Governor Murphy. \”We are moving swiftly to enact the regulations outlined in NJ PACT to reduce fossil fuel emissions and ensure investments in our innovation economy and communities. These policies, which will make New Jersey a global leader in the clean energy transition and fight against climate change, will help propel New Jersey to 100 percent clean energy by 2050.\”

\”In New Jersey, we take seriously the science of climate change. We are heeding the warnings about risks like sea-level rise and acting with the urgency that these threats demand,\” said Commissioner McCabe.  \”As we work to modernize our environmental regulations to reflect the best available science, DEP is committed to a thoughtful and collaborative approach that engages stakeholders from across all sectors of our economy, non-governmental organizations, academia, and local government. We are all in this together.\”

On Jan. 27, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 100, directing the DEP to make targeted regulatory reforms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change through the NJ PACT initiative. New Jersey is the first state to embark on a such an ambitious framework of measures targeted to both reduce emissions of climate pollutants and reform environmental land use policy to adapt to climate realities and ensure long-term resilience.

With Governor Murphy\’s leadership, New Jersey has been implementing a number of initiatives to both mitigate against future climate change and adapt to its certain effects, including releasing a clean-energy focused Energy Master Plan and ordering the development of a Statewide Climate Resilience Strategy, making New Jersey a national leader in the fight against climate change.

NJ PACT is the next evolution of these efforts, modernizing air quality regulations that will limit emissions of climate pollutants that exacerbate global warming, as well as environmental land use regulations that equip DEP, local governments, residents and businesses with tools to effectively respond to current climate threats. They are also forward looking, seeking to reduce future climate damages through rules for green infrastructure and resilient building that will help New Jersey fight risks like sea-level rise and extreme weather.

Soliciting feedback from the public and stakeholders for proposed environmental regulations is the first step in the rulemaking process that will conclude by January 2022. In advance of that date, DEP will consider all input it receives during its public stakeholder process as it formulates rule proposals. Once proposals are finalized, they will be published in the New Jersey Register for public comment and, after careful consideration of any comments received, finalized for adoption.

The DEP will hold initial stakeholder sessions on the following potential rules:

* Friday, Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., focusing on periodic monitoring and reporting of statewide greenhouse gas emissions, hosted by the DEP Air Quality, Energy and Sustainability program.

* Tuesday, Feb. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., focusing on ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, hosted by the DEP Air Quality, Energy and Sustainability program.

* Wednesday, March 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., to discuss rules to better plan for sea-level rise, extreme weather events and flooding, hosted by the Land Use Management program.

All sessions for both programs are open to public comment. They will be held at the DEP\’s First Floor Public Hearing Room, 401 East State Street, Trenton 08625.

Due to space limitations, the DEP is requesting attendees to RSVP. For more information, including session details, RSVP deadlines and contacts, visit

https://www.nj.gov/dep/njpact/

NJ SIERRA CLUB: Philly Refinery Led Nation in Benzene Pollution

TRENTON NJ (February 7, 2020)–The Environmental Integrity Project released a report today which monitored benzene levels at 100 refinery fence lines across the nation. As of the third quarter of 2019 (which ended on September 30, 2019), fence line benzene levels at 10 refineries exceeded the EPA “action level”. Facilities like the

Philadelphia Energy Solutions in Pennsylvania had the highest benzene levels where net concentrations were 49 and 444% greater than EPA Action Level and three times higher than California’s chronic reference exposure level. The refinery filed for bankruptcy and has been closed since July, they are looking to sell.

“The recent report by the Environmental Integrity Project should be an alarm bell going off to the Murphy Administration. The fenceline at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Facility had benzene levels that are over 5 times the EPA standard. This is the biggest release of benzene in the country and the EPA is not cracking down on mitigating it. Benzene has serious impacts on public health, including respiratory diseases, higher cancer rates, and even premature death. The facility is also right over the Delaware River and prevailing winds could have caused major impacts to South Jersey, including the Camden area. It’s good that the facility shut down but not because the EPA forced it too for polluting our health and environment,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System indicates that inhaling benzene concentrations as low as 13 micrograms per cubic meter over a lifetime is likely to cause one additional cancer case for every 10,000 people exposed. The EPA requirements include if the benzene level at any of the monitoring location exceeds an average of 9 micrograms per cubic meter of air over a one-year period, the EPA regulations require the facility to conduct a root cause analysis to determine the source of the toxic emissions and to then take action to fix the problem and lower the concentrations.

“Oil refineries like the one in South Philly need to be held accountable for emitting toxic chemicals like benzene and other toxic pollutants. Benzene is known as a human carcinogenic and Communities living near the fenceline of these facilities can have long term and chronic exposure to this chemical. Since Trump’s EPA have let these facilities get away with putting our environment and health at risk, it is even more important that states step up,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

Atlantic City Electric Customers Continue to Experience Improvements in Energy Service

Continued modernization of the energy grid playing major role in improving service performance

MAYS LANDING, N.J.

(Feb. 6, 2020) – Atlantic City Electric customers across South Jersey are continuing to experience improvements in the reliability of their energy service, a result of Atlantic City Electric’s ongoing efforts to modernize the local energy grid. During the past five years, energy system upgrades and new innovative technologies have driven a 22 percent decrease in the frequency of electric outages customers experienced.

The frequency of outages and the average duration of outages in 2019 remained some of the company’s lowest ever. Last year, customers experienced less than one outage, on average, over the course of the year, and if service was interrupted, crews were able to safely restore service in just 86 minutes, on average, in 2019.

“The unwavering commitment our employees have to providing the best possible service for our customers is key to our repeated success,” said Tyler Anthony, senior vice president & COO, Pepco Holdings, which includes Atlantic City Electric. “Through their hard work, and our integration of advanced technologies and industry best practices, we continue to meet our customers evolving energy needs and be a leader in the delivery of clean, safe and reliable energy.”

Atlantic City Electric received PA Consulting\’s 2019 ReliabilityOne™ Most Improved Utility Award for efforts to modernize the local energy grid and deliver more reliable service for its customers. This is the second consecutive year PA Consulting recognized Atlantic City Electric\’s service reliability, providing the company with its ReliabilityOne™ Outstanding Midsize Utility Award in 2018.

Each day, work is performed as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to further improve reliability for customers. This work includes inspecting existing infrastructure, trimming trees that could potentially impact the system,building new substations, building new underground equipment, strengthening transmission and distribution lines, and installing stronger, tree-resistant aerial cable. The company also is installing innovative technologies to improve system reliability, such as specialized equipment that can automatically restore service more quickly or isolate damage. These new technologies have been a main driver behind the continued drop in the frequency of outages customers experience.

In 2019, Atlantic City Electric completed several key projects to help modernize the energy grid and enhance reliability for customers. These projects included:

Monroe to Tansboro Transmission Line Upgrades

– Upgraded more than 8 miles of existing electric transmission line in portions of Winslow and Monroe townships which included state-of-the-art steel utility poles, among other upgrades, to improve service for more than 83,000 customers in Camden and Gloucester counties.

Orchard to Lewis Substation and Transmission Line Upgrades

– Completed 41 miles of transmission system upgrades and substation enhancements across five counties and 13 municipalities, improving service to more than half of the company’s 560,000 customers from Atlantic to Salem counties.

Rio Grande Substation Rebuild

– Upgraded an existing substation with new electric equipment including three new transformers, animal guarding and other enhancements to benefit thousands of customers in Middle and Lower townships in Cape May County. Orchard to Lewis Substation and Transmission Line Upgrades Orchard to Lewis Substation and Transmission Line Upgrades

In 2020, Atlantic City Electric will perform work on several major projects as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance reliability and modernize the local energy grid, all to provide customers with the reliable energy service they have come to expect. Some of these projects include:

Atlantic City/Brigantine Community Reliability Project

– Modernizing an existing substation and rebuilding two critical transmission lines between Atlantic City and Brigantine to strengthen the local energy infrastructure against more extreme weather and improve reliability for local customers.

PowerAhead Grid Resiliency Initiative

– Continuing to perform strategic reliability enhancement work across portions of the company’s service area to modernize and enhance energy infrastructure in areas that have experienced outages during severe storms.

Atlantic City Electric also continues to share best practices for managing the local energy grid and responding to outages with its Exelon sister companies, BGE in Baltimore, ComEd in Chicago, Delmarva Power in Delaware, PECO in Philadelphia, and Pepco in Washington, D.C

Readers are encouraged to visit

The Source

,

Atlantic City Electric’s online news room. For more information about Atlantic City Electric, visit

atlanticcityelectric.com

. Follow the company on Facebook at

facebook.com/atlanticcityelectric

and on Twitter at

twitter.com/acelecconnect

.

Our mobile app is available at

atlanticcityelectric.com/mobileapp

.

First Grantees of New $1 Million Camden City Community Grant Program Announced

Conner Strong & Buckelew, American Water,

The Michaels Organization, NFI,

The Cooper Foundation Sponsor Community Building Grants

to 29 Camden City Based  Non-Profit Organizations

CAMDEN CITY, NJ – George E. Norcross, III, Chairman of Cooper University Health Care, announced today that 29 Camden City based non-profit community organizations will receive grant awards from the first ever Camden City Community Grant Program. Each grantee will receive a $5,000 grant to fund a significant community building activity within the next 18 months.

Conner Strong & Buckelew, American Water, The Michaels Organization, NFI, and The Cooper Foundation are the founding sponsors of the new $1 million grant program which will award community building grants over the next five years to Camden City based non-profit organizations committed to making Camden a healthier place to live, work, learn and play.

“Camden-based companies investing in Camden-based non-profit organizations reinforces the idea that we must all work together for Camden to continue its renaissance,” said Norcross. “I want to thank our founding sponsors for supporting this program and for valuing the essential services that these Camden community organizations provide to strengthen and enrich the lives of Camden residents.”

The goal of the new grant program is to address social determinants of health by funding applicants that demonstrate a focus on one of the following Community Building Activities: physical improvements and housing, economic development, community support, environmental improvements, leadership development and training for community members, coalition building, community health improvement advocacy or workforce development.

The 29 organizations awarded grants address a wide range of needs that have significant impact on the health and welfare of the community. These grants will support vital programs and services to diversified populations across the city.

“Congratulations to the outstanding grant recipients who are making positive contributions in our community each and every day,” said Susan Bass Levin, President & CEO of The Cooper Foundation. “From summer enrichment programs to initiatives that address food insecurity, job readiness and access to cultural opportunities, we look forward to seeing how the grantees’ programs will enhance the lives of Camden residents.”

“Non-profit organizations rely on grants and donations to fund the important work we do on the front-lines,” said Yaniece Spencer, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Boys of Sustainable Strength (B.O.S.S.) Mentoring, Inc. and one of the grant award recipients. “With this Camden City Community Grant, B.O.S.S. and other organizations, will support new and innovative programs that change lives.”

Below is the complete list of the Camden City Community Grant Program recipients:

COALITION BUILDING

The Heart of CamdenProgram: Next Generation GreenPurpose of Grant: To develop the next generation of green leaders by building a community coalition of youth ambassadors to address a cleaner, greener and healthier neighborhood.

COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT ADVOCACY

Cathedral Soup KitchenProgram: Cathedral Kitchen Meal ProgramPurpose of Grant: To help sustain Cathedral Kitchen meal program which serves more than 3,000 individuals and more than 122,000 meals each year.

Center for Environmental TransformationProgram: Summer Youth ProgramPurpose of Grant: To hire additional teens for the summer program which employs Camden youth who work in the gardens and operate a local farmer’s market.

Joseph’s House of CamdenProgram: Connection HUBPurpose of Grant: To provide supplies to support the day provider program which links homeless guests to critical services such as housing, employment, healthcare, and addiction services.

The Hispanic Family Center of Southern NJ, Inc.Program: Pathways to HealthPurpose of Grant: To fund supplies, workshops and client transportation for bilingual and bicultural residents in need of assistance navigating the complex healthcare and health insurance systems.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Boys of Sustainable Strength, Inc. (B.O.S.S.)Program: BOSS UP – Helping City Males SucceedPurpose of Grant: To support a weekly mentoring program where boys ages 8-18 have a safe environment to discuss everyday issues, plan for the future, and promote healthy lifestyles.

Camden Day NurseryProgram: Early Literacy Initiative Purpose of Grant: To create 90 story time boxes containing books, puppets, songs, crafts and games for parents to check-out to increase access to literacy activities.

Camden FireWorksProgram: Capacity Building GrantPurpose of Grant: To improve outreach communication with neighbors and members of the artistic community to bring free and diverse arts experiences to the City of Camden.

Center for Aquatic SciencesProgram: Community & Urban Science Enrichment (CAUSE) ProgramPurpose of Grant: To support a youth development program for Camden teens that provides intensive training in aquatic science, skill and character building, mentoring, paid work experience and college preparation.

Hope Community Outreach ServicesProgram: Youth Summer CampPurpose of Grant: To engage students ages 5-14 in healthy, safe and educational activities throughout the summer.

I Dare to Care Association, Inc. (ID2C)Program: “Selfcare…It Starts With Me” ConferencePurpose of Grant: To fund a one-day conference in Camden for young women ages 7 and up which will include workshops and activities that promote self-awareness, mindfulness and community involvement.

Lanning Square West Residents AssociationProgram: The Gathering Table at Lanning Square WestPurpose of Grant: To provide holistic and cultural programs and activities designed to improve the health of residents in Lanning Square.

Mighty WritersProgram: Mighty Writers CamdenPurpose of Grant: To support free, after school writing workshops focused on mindfulness at four Camden locations.

Morgan Village Circle Community Development CorporationProgram: Morgan Village Arts, Science & Technology ProgramPurpose of Grant: To continue a safe haven program for at-risk children using career readiness classes in areas of STEM, STEAM and SMART.

National Stop the Violence Alliance, Inc.Program: What About YOUth (W.A.Y.) InitiativePurpose of Grant: To expand youth initiative which seeks to improve education skills, attitudes toward law enforcement, conflict resolution and self-esteem.

Nazarene Community Development FoundationProgram: JOY (Just Older Youth)Purpose of Grant: To provide health and wellness resources to seniors by offering opportunities for socialization, creativity and education.

Saint Joseph\’s Carpenter SocietyProgram: Home Maintenance LabPurpose of Grant: To fund an innovative classroom experience which teaches homeowners how to complete routine home maintenance and simple repairs.

South Camden Theatre Company, Inc.Program: Camden Resident Ticketing Program – 2020 Season of CelebrationPurpose of Grant: To promote a ticketing program which offers Camden residents a generous reduction in their general admission ticket price from $25 to $5 per ticket.

Your Education Consultants & ServicesProgram: MEL/MLK After School Safe Haven Enrichment & WorkshopsPurpose of Grant: To provide after-school learning, tutoring, homework assistance, guidance services and mentoring to students in the Gateway section of Parkside.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The Salvation Army – Camden Kroc CenterProgram: Client Choice Food PantryPurpose of Grant: To enhance the pantry’s emergency food service by providing Cramer Hill and other Camden residents with nutrition education, recipes and other tools to implement a healthier diet.

Volunteers of America Delaware ValleyProgram: Volunteer UP Reentry Legal Aid FundPurpose of Grant: To support an existing civil legal aid fund for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated Camden City jobseekers by removing barriers to successful reentry.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Koinonia Family Life, Inc. d.b.a. Camden Dream Center Technology Training SchoolProgram: 2020 Camden Dream CDF Freedom Summer School ProgramPurpose of Grant: To operate a 6-week summer literacy and STEM enrichment program for Camden youth in grades K-8.

Viet Lead Program: Youth ProgrammingPurpose of Grant: To support three youth programs, Jersey Roots, Resilient Roots, and a Community Garden, which teach students how to grow and maintain a garden and prepare healthy meals.

PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS AND HOUSING

Boys & Girls Club of Camden CountyProgram: Locker Room Enhancement ProjectPurpose of Grant: To upgrade/repair the gym lockers and benches used by the club members and youth athletes utilizing the club in East Camden.

Cooper-Grant Neighborhood AssociationProgram: Cooper-Grant ArtsGardenPurpose of Grant: To transform a blighted lot in the Cooper Grant neighborhood into an Arts Garden by installing a variety of arts-related infrastructure including an art gallery, performance stage and seating, walkways, flower planters, birdhouses and other items to improve the site.

St. Paul’s Episcopal ChurchProgram: Lavatory Renovation ProjectPurpose of Grant: To upgrade restrooms for participants of weekly food distribution program and the daily Narcotics Anonymous meetings.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Home Port Alliance for the USS New Jersey, Inc.Program: Internship Program for High School Students Purpose of Grant: To add additional interns to existing 16-week internship program.

Hopeworks Program: Recode Your FuturePurpose of Grant: To add additional slots to award-winning training program which places Camden young people in jobs at Camden companies.

Puerto Rican Unity for ProgressProgram: Pathway to SuccessPurpose of Grant: To support a workforce development program for vulnerable individuals by creating individualized plans for participants to gain the skills necessary to obtain sustainable employment.