12 New Jersey Residents Win Heartlander\’s Gift Cards to Spot Marketplace in Vineland

(VINELAND, NJ – January 6, 2020

) – Shopping this holiday season was made a little easier for twelve New Jersey residents. The dozen lucky New Jersey Heartlander’s to win a $25 gift card to The Spot Marketplace in Vineland, NJ, included:

Terry Pettit of Minotola

Alison Auble of Linwood

Frank Copeland of Blackwood

Ernestine Ryan of Waterford Works

Anita McMasters Sneddon of Gloucester City

Nate Snyder of Vineland

Cynthia Bodden of Millville

Rose Amoroso of Williamstown

Angie Tarr of Clarksboro

Beth Accordino of Clarksboro

Michelle Reeder of Woodbury

Debby Fox of Pittsgrove

With over 50 shoppes and vendors, The Spot at the Ave was the perfect place to find that perfect gift to brighten the holidays. A dynamic and ever changing marketplace, The Spot is devoted to showcasing local entrepreneurs, artists, designers, specialty shops, as well as antique and vintage dealers, all under one roof, all in one “spot”

The Spot at the Ave is located on 618 E Landis Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360. For additional information about The Spot, please visit

The Spot

or call 856.839.2825.

For additional information about entertainment venues and family fun in New Jersey’s Heartland, or to learn about and enter promotional ticket giveaways, visit

NJHeartland.org

ABOUT NEW JERSEY’S HEARTLAND

Understanding the role financial stability plays in strengthening Whole Families, the Pascale Sykes Foundation funded the creation of New Jersey’s Heartland as part of its South Jersey Economic Initiative. New Jersey’s Heartland promotes the four-county region of Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester and Atlantic Counties as a destination for tourism and business and a great place to live, work and play. Through

NJHeartland.org

and its various social media channels, New Jersey’s Heartland highlights the region’s hidden gems and treasures, venues, events, social service organizations, Heartland Heroes and newsworthy items, which in turn drives tourism, generates business opportunities and creates the jobs Whole Families need to be successful.

15 Remarkable Moments of the Decade at Rutgers

NEW BRUNSWICK NJ–Looking ahead to 2020 and a look back at some of the top moments of the past decade at Rutgers–New Brunswick and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. T

Eric LeGrand: From injury to inspiration

(2010)

Since Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand was paralyzed while making a tackle, he has devoted his life to learning to walk again, to raising funds for paralysis research and serving as an inspiration for anyone facing adversity.

Integration of UMDNJ to become RBHS

(2013)

A more comprehensive Rutgers University was born with the integration of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. The milestone has advanced higher education and health care in New Jersey and approximately doubled the research enterprise of Rutgers.

Entrance into the Big Ten

(2014)

Participating in the Big Ten Conference has brought Rutgers greater national exposure for its athletes and increased academic prestige, including membership in the Big Ten Academic Alliance, a consortium of 14 world-class research universities.

Obama at Commencement

(2016)

President Barack Obama told the Class of 2016 that ignorance is not a virtue and urged graduates to have faith in democracy. The first sitting president to speak at a Rutgers commencement told students that the world is more interconnected than ever and he observed the country’s progress mirrors that of Rutgers: “America converges here,” he said, acknowledging the university’s diversity of people and thought.

Rutgers turns 250

(2016)

Rutgers celebrated its 250th anniversary – and its tradition of revolutionary teaching, research and service — with a yearlong celebration that included academic symposia, events, lectures, classes, speakers, concerts, books and films.

Scarlet and Black and reckoning with our history

(2016)

On its 250

anniversary, Rutgers undertook the Scarlet and Black Project, a historical examination of the experiences of African Americans and Native Americans at the university.

Scarlet and Black, Volume 1: Slavery and Dispossession in Rutgers History

traced the university’s early history, uncovering how it benefited from the slave economy and came to own the land it inhabits. From these findings, the university took action to acknowledge its past,

dedicating three major landmarks

and pledging to continue to excavate the university’s history with race.

Rutgers Future Scholars first graduating class

(2017)

When the Class of 2017 graduated from Rutgers, Rutgers Future Scholars graduated its first class – 55 at Rutgers and 20 at other universities. Started in 2008, the program has prepared more than 1,800 low-income, first-generation students to attend college. Conceived when the university noticed that few students from its host communities were enrolling at Rutgers, the program sought to discover promising students and invest in their futures.

Rutgers Health/Barnabas partnership

(2017)

RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers partnered to create the state’s largest academic health care system dedicated to providing high-quality patient care, research and education to advance health care in New Jersey. The venture enhances the delivery and accessibility of evidence-based health care across the state; boosts the recruitment of prominent academic, research and clinical practitioners; and strengthens the advancement of health science innovation and education.

Rutgers Dance Marathon

(2017)

In its 19th year, the Rutgers Dance Marathon surpassed its previous records by raising more than $1 million for Embrace Kids Foundation, which supports children with cancer and blood disorders and their caregivers.

C. Vivian Stringer’s 1,000

win

(2018)

C. Vivian Stringer, Rutgers’ long-time women’s basketball coach, notched her 1,000th career victory, becoming the sixth women\’s head coach in NCAA history to join the 1,000 career victory club. Stringer is a basketball legend and was enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.

Paul Robeson

(2019)

Rutgers marked the centennial anniversary of Paul Robeson\’s graduation from Rutgers College in 1919. In recognition, the university paid tribute to the pioneering scholar, athlete, actor, singer and global activist and dedicated an open-air plaza on Voorhees Mall to honor his legacy.

Wrestling national champs

(2019)

For the first time, Rutgers wrestling had two individual national champions (Nick Suriano and Anthony Ashnault) which helped the Scarlet Knights to their first ever top-10 team finish.

Schiano leaves/Schiano returns

(2011/2019)

Greg Schiano, who led Rutgers to new heights from 2001-11, returned as the head football coach of the Scarlet Knights. During his first stint, he directed the Scarlet Knights to six bowl appearances, coached 83 RU players who signed NFL contracts and guided the program to the top APR score in the nation.

Physical Transformation

(Multiple years)

Rutgers underwent a physical transformation with a range of new or improved facilities over the past decade, including a

revamped Livingston campus

, new

Engineering

Chemistry and Chemical Biology

and

Business School

buildings, the

Honors College

, the

Food, Nutrition and Health Institute

, the

New Brunswick Performing Arts Center

, the

Rutgers Academic Building

, the

RWJ Barnabas Athletic Performance Center

, the

Global Village Learning Center at Douglass Residential College

, a

revamped College Avenue

and even an improved setting for

Willie the Silent

Research advancements (Multiple years)

The past decade included a number of research advancements by Rutgers faculty, students and alumni, including

flight fire-safety innovations

recycled plastic lumber

, the

Protein Data Bank

drones

medical technology

diseases

nutrition

sea-level rise

and other impacts of

climate change

infrastructure

and

crops

to name a few.

South Jersey Basketball Hall-of-Fame Announces Selections for 2020

CHERRY HILL NJ–The Albert Carino Basketball Club of South Jersey has announced their selections to be inducted into the South Jersey Basketball Hall of Fame on Sunday, February 9 . Bill Hiltner, Chairman of the Hall of Fame Committee, said the ceremony will begin at 5:30 P.M. at the Crowne Plaza, Route 70 and Cuthbert Blvd., Cherry Hill, NJ.

Tickets are available for the event from Jack Mongulla (856-461-8800) or Jason Lewer (609-706-7069) or by sending payment ($35.00 per ticket) to 41 Emery Way, Delanco, NJ 08075. Reservations are required and need to be made prior to Wednesday, February 5th. Credit cards (Amex, VISA or Mastercard) may be used to secure your reservations.

Mike Androlewicz

This Paul VI 1982 graduate was a 3-letter winner and a member of the 1980 State Championship Team. He played for legendary Coach Art DiPatri.

Aside from being a stellar athlete, most remarkably in basketball, Mike excelled in other areas as well. He was part of the National Honor Society, Senior Class Vice-President, and the recipient of the Christian Spirit Award.

Following an outstanding career at Paul VI where he was selected to the All-South Jersey Teams in 1981 and 1982 and the Philadelphia Inquirer All-Area Team in 1982, Mike moved on to Lehigh University he was a 4- letterman. He was a part of Lehigh’s NCAA Tournament Team in 1985.

During his senior year (1986) Mike was named to the All-East Coast Conference First Team as well as the Albert J. Carino Boys Basketball Club’s Small College Player of the Year.

Following graduation Androlewicz received his MBA degree from Lehigh University in 1988. While in graduate school Mike was a Graduate Assistant Basketball Coach during the 1987 and 1998 seasons and a member of the Coaching Staff on the NCAA Tournament Team (1988) when Lehigh lost to Temple.

Following graduation, Mike worked for several multi-national Fortune 500 companies in accounting and finance positions, and had the opportunity to travel internationally. Mike is now a business partner and Vice President of Business Development for Education Management Corporation, a leading provider of academic and career technical training services. Androlewicz resides in Haddon Heights and he remains a very active part of the alumni community at Paul VI.

Kevin Eastman, Haddonfield High School

Kevin Eastman is a 1973 graduate of Haddonfield High School and has checked all of the following boxes: State Champion,All-South Jersey,Division 1 College Player,College Coach,Professional Coach NBA Executive

Eastman is a member of the Haddonfield Hall-of-Fame. He was a two-time Captain and a three-year starter for the Bulldawgs scoring 1,162 points.

He went on to play for the Spiders at the University of Richmond where he graduated in 1977 and was subsequently inducted to the University’s Hall of Fame.

Kevin has coached the game at the college and professional levels over a career spanning 35+ years. He has been a student-athlete, a rookie coach, an assistant coach, a head coach and a college athletic director. He has been around the best players and coaches in the game while serving as coach and executive in the NBA, and has studied what makes the best The Best.

Eastman has coached on the collegiate level at Washington State, UNC-Wilmington, Tulsa, Virginia Commonwealth, Colorado State University and Richmond.

Jay Flanagan, Rancocas Valley High School

Jay played at Delran High School as a two-year varsity player before he headed off to Kutztown University. Upon graduating in 1986, he was hired by Riverside High Hall of Fame coach, Harry Johnstone. After serving three years as an assistant at RHS. At the age of 25 Jay was named head coach of Moorestown Friends School. At MFS, he coached current Colgate coach and HOF member, Matt Langel, before he left for Moorestown High.

Next Jay left MFS to become an assistant for Hall of Fame coach, Ken Faulkner, at Burlington Township, He was then elevated to head coach in 1996, after serving as an assistant for two years. His teams qualified for the NJSIAA tourney for all 10 of his years and won the BCSL Freedom Division in 1999. Flanagan then moved on to Rancocas Valley in 2006.

In his first year, the program started 20-0 and finished as BCSL Liberty Division Champs with a 24-3 record. His 2007-2008 team carried on its winning ways from the year before by winning the BCSL Liberty Division, Central Jersey Group IV sectional title, and NJSIAA Group IV championship. It was RV’s third state title in school history (1996, 1998). His team finished the season as the #1 ranked team in South Jersey with a 27-5 record. For his team’s accomplishments, Flanagan was named Burlington County Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Albert J. Carino Boys’ Basketball Club, NJ Coaches’ Association State Coach of the Year, and National Federation of High School Coaches Northeast Region Coach of the Year (includes 8 states).

In 2009, Flanagan was awarded the NJSIAA Sports Award Recipient, given to one high school basketball coach in the state annually for his recognition of service and contributions to interscholastic athletics. Jay also led Rancocas Valley to the NJSIAA Group IV state final as an 11th seed in 2011, after winning another Central Jersey Group IV title and defeating Shawnee in the state semifinal matchup. In both of his trips to Rutgers to the state finals, RV played St. Anthony during that season, both of which the legendary program finished as the #1 team in the country. RV also won the always difficult BCSL Liberty Division in 2013.

Flanagan entered this season, his 14th at Rancocas Valley, with 438 wins, ranking him highly amongst South Jersey coaches historically. In his first 13 years at RV, his teams won 256 games, three BCSL titles, two sectional championships, and one state crown.

Paul Gause. Schalick High School

Paul Gause played basketball for Arthur P. Schalick High School from 2001-2005. A four-year starter, Gause averaged over 25 points per game as a freshman, 27+ as a sophomore and 30+ per game his junior and senior seasons. He set a school single game scoring record on February 26, 2004 when he dropped 52 points on Overbrook High School in a 94-80 win.

During his senior year, Gause led Schalick to a 25-5 record and its first ever boys\’ basketball South Jersey Group I championship, as well as its first trip to the state final. For the season, Gause averaged 33.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 3.7 steals per game.

Paul finished his high school career at the top of New Jersey\’s all-time scoring list. His 3,144 career points rank third in state history and second in South Jersey history. Additionally, Gause is only one of two South Jersey players to ever score 1,000+ points in a single season.

He was named as an All-State selection by New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, and also the consensus South Jersey Male Athlete of the Year by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Camden Courier-Post and the Vineland Daily Journal.

An all-state cornerback and running back in football, he led his high school team to two straight South Jersey Group I championships in 2003 & 2004 (the latter being an undefeated 12-0 season). Paul set a South Jersey single season scoring record during his senior year after amassing 236 offensive points. As of March 2008, this point total ranks fourth all-time in New Jersey history. He also set a South Jersey single sea-son touchdown record, also done in 2004, by reaching the end zone 39 times.

Gause chose to play basketball at Seton Hall University. He tied the Seton Hall Pirates\’ single game steals record in 2006-07 when he recorded eight steals against St. Mary\’s. He also totaled 90 steals in the year, a new Seton Hall men\’s basketball single season record. Gause averaged 3.10 steals per game which topped Big East play and ranked second nationally. For his on-the-ball defense he was nominated as a candidate for the Big East Defensive Player of the Year.

Flanagan is an accomplished girls’ soccer coach as he recently surpassed 200 wins during his years at Burlington Township and Rancocas Valley.

Gause went on to play in the NFL for the Jets before returning to his first love, basketball. He then began his professional career playing basketball overseas in 2010. He speaks at schools to motivate and inspire kids when he\’s home in New Jersey with his fiancé.

Trish McNutt Green, Gloucester Catholic

Trish McNutt-Green, a 1982 GCHS graduate who has been part of seven state championship girl’s basketball teams as both a player and coach,

Trish played for Gloucester Catholic from 1978 to 1982. She was the starting point guard on two Group I state championship teams. Driven to make her teams succeed, Trish was an exceptional leader and demonstrated unselfish play at all times. Although she had very talented players around her, her style of play made them better. Players such as Mary Klinewski, Michele Jensen and Lisa Angelotti all enjoyed enhanced careers due to the point guard skills that Trish possessed.

Trish was known for her scoring but for her amazing court vision that enabled her to feed passes to teammates for wide-open layups and jump shots. She could score when called upon — she was the leading scorer in her final game in winning the 1982 Group I state championship against Morris Catholic.

The Courier-Post named Trish as the South Jersey Player of the year for the 1981/1982 season. She accepted a scholarship to Fresno State University due to her excellent play and accomplishments at the high school level. Unfortunately, her college career ended too soon with a devastating knee injury.

Trish is also the most successful girls’ basketball coach in South Jersey history. As head coach, she won five state

championships at Haddonfield Memorial High School – 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, and 1999. No other girl’s coach in SJ history has won five state championships. Additionally, Trish’s teams won six Colonial Conference Championships, and seven South Jersey titles.

Her teams won twenty or more games during ten of her seasons and her team was named Team of the Century by the Courier-Post in 1997 and three times she was named Coach of the Year.

Trish previously has been inducted to the Gloucester County Hall of Fame (2007) and the Camden County Hall of Fame (2018).

Pops Mensah-Bonsu, St. Augustine Prep

Born and raised in London, Mensah-Bonsu attended St. Thomas More Roman Catholic School before he moved to the United States where he spent his sophomore year playing at the Hun School of Princeton. He then transferred to St. Augustine where as a senior in 2001–02, he averaged 15 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks per game.

Pops Mensah-Bonsu came to St. Augustine Prep with dreams of athletic stardom; however, those aspirations did not include a basketball as his sport of choice was track & field – most specifically the high jump.

Mensah-Bonsu’s academic and athletic career would continue to Washington, D.C. and George Washington University. Pops blossomed into a dominant power forward and became a household name as the Mensah-Bonsu-led Colonials appeared in back-to- back NCAA tournaments and also received their first top-10 ranking in 50 years following a school-record 27-3 run in 2006.

His success on the court would continue during a professional career which included time in the NBA (Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, New Orleans Hornets) and overseas in Spain, France, Turkey, Russia, Italy, Israel, and Greece. He would continue to thrill crowds with his patented play above-the-rim along with his high-defensive IQ and dominant rebounding. His most memorable season would come in 2011-12 with Besiktas of the Turkish Basketball League. This landmark season included the team winning the League championship, Turkish Cup, and EuroChallenge and was capped by Pops being named the TBL Player of the Year. The magical year would continue into the summer, as he was selected to represent Great Britain in the 2012 Summer Olympics playing alongside fellow Hermit, 1999 graduate Andrew Sullivan.

Jennifer Natale, Washington Township High School

This 4-Year player and 3-year starter and 3-Year All Conference 1st team selection while at Washington Township High School scored 1,033 points for the Minutemaids. Jennifer has garnered a tremendous number of accolades during her career.

She led her team to four Olympic Conference titles (1993, 1993 and 1995) and in 1994 the Minutemaids were the number 1 team in South Jersey (25-1). During her career at Washington Township, the Minutemaids had an astonishing record of 100-12.

In his four-year career, he played 112 games (71 starts) while averaging 11.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 23.8 minutes per game. As a sophomore in 2003–04, he was named the Atlantic 10 Most Improved Player of the Year; as a junior in 2004–05, he was named to the All-Atlantic 10 second team; and as a senior in 2005–06, he was named to the All-Atlantic 10 first team and Atlantic 10 All-Defensive team.

The 2005-06 season ended with a knee injury and he did not return until the 2006 NCAA Tournament, where the injury lessened his production.

In October, 2015 Pops announced retirement from professional basketball. and began working as an Advanced Pro Scout for the San Antonio Spurs. Pops was named general manager of the Capital City Go-Go, the NBA G League affiliate of the Washington Wizards.

Jennifer then moved on to Fairfield University receiving a full athletic scholarship. She played in every one of their 115 games (starting 93 of them). Fairfield won the 1998 MAAC Championship and was invited to play in the NCAA Tournament against the Huskies from UCONN.

Jennifer, following graduation, was a member of the Quinnipiac University Women’s Basketball coaching staff from 1999-2001 and came home to Washington Township to coach the Minutemaids JV Basketball Team from 2002-2006.

Natale took the reins of the Varsity squad at Washington Township in 2006 and she still holds that position. Her teams have an overall record of 243-117 and she was named Coach-of-the-Year in both 2018 and 2019 by the South Jersey Times. Her teams have wone four Olympic Conference titles (2007, 2012, 2013 and 2014).

She was also named Coach-of-the-Year by the Philadelphia Inquirer (2011 and 2012) and by the Gloucester County Times (2010-2011).

She was inducted into the Washington Township High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2005 and into the Gloucester County Sports Hall of Fame in 2016

Sabra Wrice, Riverside High School

Sabra currently holds the Riverside High School scoring record with 2,014 points including 773 points in her senior season. She scored 45 points in a single game and holds the school record for most steals (451), career assists (381) and assists in a season (137).

In 2004 Wrice set the New Jersey scoring record by averaging 28.8 ppg. She was named the Player-of-the-Year by the Al Carino Basketball Club of South Jersey and the Defensive Player-of-the-Year by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

She also was selected to the New Jersey All-Star Game and the Carino Basketball Club All-Star Games.

The Rams were Freedom Division Champions and South Jersey Champion before being upset in the New Jersey Championship game. Wrice was selected to the 1st Team All-Freedom Division squad in 2004.

Following her career with the Rams, Sabra moved on to Fairfield University where she continued her collection of accolades. She is the 7th All-Time leading scorer after amassing 1,577 points and 4th All-Time steals leader with 220.

She was inducted into the Fairfield University Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Riverside High School Sports Hall-of- Fame (2015).

Sabra is currently coaching at the Walnut Street Middle School after stints at Riverside High School and Fairfield University where she was an Assistant Coach and Film Coordinator and at Fisher College where she was the Head Coach.

History of the Club

The Basketball Club of South Jersey, a long-time dream of founder Al Carino, was organized in the fall of 1962 with the help of Courier-Post sportswriters Charlie Schuck and Walt Burrows.

During the first year, men such as Al Mattern, Sam Strauss, Bob Kenney, Dick Carpenter, Ben Mark, John Kling and the Rev. William Hart added their support. An All-South Jersey team and the Coach of the Year were honored at the first post season banquet and the Suburban Newspapers presented the Suburban Cup. State Champion coaches were feted.

In 1964 the Courier-Post started the Top Ten Award and in 1966 the Club selected the first South Jersey Collegiate Player of the Year and held its first South Jersey Invitational Tournament. In addition, the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO), Camden District Board 34 presented the initial Sportsmanship Award in memory of Kenneth E. Smullen.

In 1970, the Al DiBart Memorial Foundation began the top scoring award and named it the “Bob Elder” Award. That year the Club held its Unsung Heroes night for seniors who contributed to the team.

1971 saw the best foul shooting award. It now honors Tom Bowe and is presented by IAABO Board 34. In 1973 the Club honored its first woman coach for winning a state championship.

In the fall of 1974, the Club began honoring girls at the regular meetings and the 1975 banquet cited the girls’ scoring champion in addition to the girls’ Coach-of-the-Year. The Courier-Post added the girls Top Ten Award.

Charles Nash began honoring the South Jersey girls’ scoring champion and named it the Sara J. Taylor Memorial Award in 1975.

In 1976, the first Female College Player of the Year was honored by the Club with the aid of the women officials of West Chapter 5 honoring Ginny Whitaker, the former long-time Athletic Director at Cherry Hill East.

In 1977, the first Small College Player-of-the-Year was honored. A player from a Division 2 or 3 college is recognized. 1978 saw the first All-Star games featuring senior boys and girls from South Jersey.

The Major College Player-of-the-Year Award was named in memory of Samuel Strauss in 1980.

In August, 1982, President Albert J. Carino died as the result of an automobile accident and William G. (Bill)

Thomas was elected President of the organization.

Hall-of-Famer Tony Caracci began to sponsor an annual award to the Outstanding Guard in South Jersey in 2000. The “Most Courageous Award was renamed in memory of the late popular coach from Haddon Heights and Triton Albert “Butch” McLean, who passed away in 2012.

Jack Mongulla was named President in 2019 after William G. (Bill) Thomas was named President Emeritus of the Club.

Hall of Fame

Al Carino, The founder and longtime President of the Basketball Club of South Jersey, set the wheels in motion for the establishment of a South Jersey Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980.

Carino’s first step towards that goal was to call upon Doug Frambes, former Riverside High School coach and a sports writer at the Courier-Post to form and chair a committee for this purpose. Frambes along with Walt Burrows, Stan Mroz, George Pims, Dick Carpenter, Jack Harte, Al Mattern, Charlie Nash, Bill Thomas and Bob Viggiano met to set the ground rules and the format to be used in the selection process. In addition to selecting former outstanding coaches and players, the committee decided one inductee each year would be chosen for distinguished service to basketball in the area.

The first banquet and induction ceremony was held in February, 1981 when 13 inductees were welcomed into the Hall of Fame. Carino was the first recipient of the Distinguished Service Award.

The following year the Hall of Fame was expanded to include women. Bob Kenney, Sports Editor of the Courier-Post and Ginny Whitaker, Athletic Director for Cherry Hill East High School were added to the selection committee for this purpose.

After five years of serving as Chairman of the Selection Committee, Frambes stepped down but remained active on the committee. In 1985 Viggiano, also a sports writer at the Courier-Post, was named the new chairman of the Selection Committee. Later Dick Carpenter served as Chairman and in 1996, Harry Beaudet assumed the role of Chairman until 2014 when Bill Hiltner (former Sterling coach) was appointed chairman.

The Scottish Rite Auditorium w\\Welcomes Abba Mania

COLLINGSWOOD NJ–Presented by the Camden County Board of Freeholders in association with BRE and the Borough of Collingswood, the Scottish Rite Auditorium welcomes Abba Mania: The Original from London’s West End! on February 8, 2020. Doors open at 7 PM, showtime at 8 PM.

ABBA MANIA is now accepted as the world’s number one touring ABBA production. Featuring a special concert presentation, which celebrates the music of ABBA in a respectful and enjoyable way, reviving special memories of when ABBA ruled the airwaves. ABBA MANIA brings ABBA fans old and new a night not to be missed. If you’re looking for an excuse to party, reminisce or simply be entertained by the best music ever, then ABBA MANIA is for you! Join in and enjoy all of your favorites including: “Mamma Mia,” “Voulez Vous,” “Dancing Queen,” “Winner Takes It All,” “Super Trouper” and many more. So dig out those platforms, dust down those flares, and thank ABBA for the music.

Tickets go on sale March 28, 2019

Tickets are $59, $49 and $29

Tickets Available from:

www.ticketmaster.com

or by phone at 1-800-745-3000

Camden County Store at Voorhees Town Center

(Echelon Mall), 1 Echelon Road, Voorhees, NJ 08043

(856) 566- 2920

Scottish Rite Auditorium

315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, NJ, 08108, United States

Saturday, Feb 8th, 2020 @ 8:00 pm

Democrat Congressional Candidate Flora Says ICE Contract with Essex County Jail Has To Go!

(January 4, 2020)–US Democratic Primary Congressional Candidate John Flora (NJ-10) has a clear message for leadership in Essex County.

“We are a sanctuary state, not a detention state,” said Flora. This comment comes in response to the Essex County Freeholders’ recent decision to approve the creation of a civilian task force to oversee the Essex County Correctional Facility. “We need to stop housing ICE detainees in Newark. It has succeeded more in tearing families apart than in finding criminals or making our neighborhoods safer.”

Flora is well aware that Essex County has received over $2 million dollars from ICE for their facilities to hold ICE captives. ICE has the power to hold people without proper justification simply due to immigration status or allegations.

“This issue shouldn’t be decided by revenue,” said Flora. “Our country touts the idea of family values on one hand, and then destroys them with the other. As a new father and teacher of immigrant children, I find this practice abhorrent.”

The Jersey City teacher has experienced the result of broken families in his daily work. Flora believes this panel is a waste of time and resources. He directly challenges the County Executive Joey DiVincenzo’s recent comments: “Creating the Civilian Task Force is an example of what we can accomplish when people with different perspectives work together.” But Flora believes that “Families aren’t separated when different perspectives work together.” DiVincenzo’s statement that “My goal…is to operate a safe and professionally run jail” was also challenged. Flora had the following to say: “I can’t see anything ‘safe’ and ‘professional’ about keeping children from their parents?”

Local protestors have responded that creating a citizen board is really just a distraction. “The real issue at hand is whether or not we even want an ICE center in our district,” said Flora.

Flora is set to run in the Democratic Primary as a replacement for long time incumbent Donald Payne Jr in New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District. Before being elected to Congress, while serving as an Essex County Freeholder, Donald Payne voted in favor of a new contract with ICE that constituted a massive expansion of immigration detention in Essex County and in NJ. The new contract meant that 1250 immigrants would be held in the Essex County Jail and the neighboring privately run Delaney Hall as a favor for ICE.

“We need to protect families,” said Flora, “regardless of where they came from.”

U.S. Democratic Primary Congressional Candidate John Flora (NJ-10) Says Media Attacks are Unfair

January 3, 2020,

OPEN LETTER FROM US DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE JOHN FLORA (NJ-10)

“Dear Reader:

The media has put a spin on my words and has framed me as an anti-Semite. That is simply not true. My name is John Flora. I am a teacher and resident of Jersey City.

I hear what goes on and I see what goes on. I also know about distractions to progress.

This allegation and gas-lighting from a radio “personality” has distracted everyone from my words. I was not speaking against the Jewish community. I was speaking for them. I was also speaking for the Black community. I was speaking for the entire community. Why is that being framed as anti-Semitic?

I am being accused of supporting actions against Jews by someone who obviously doesn’t even know my life path. I already released a statement on the massacre that occurred in my neighborhood, attended interfaith vigils, visited the shooting site, and was on the news discussing the tragic events as a concerned parent. But 101.5 radio personality Judi Franco must have missed all of that.

I never condoned hateful words at an inappropriate time. I also do not agree with the actions taken by the media to twist my press release and say I was holding a vigil for the accused. My message was that we still need to talk as a city, as a nation. The radio station responded by email stating “Our initial reporting mischaracterized what your news release said. We have corrected the body of the article”.

The discovery of this radio host’s op-ed of my alleged racism comes to a surprise to my friends and family who know me. My record of helping my environment and teaching children of all faiths and backgrounds is certainly not reflected in her opinion of me. I have done nothing but celebrate the diversity of Jersey City and will continue that work for NJ-10. I refuse to let a radio personality, especially one suspended from her job for referring to the Attorney General of New Jersey as “Turban Man”, to smear my reputation. She is simply lying to all of you about me.

To be very clear, there is a problem in Jersey City and elsewhere that is causing anti-Semitic feelings. I do not validate these feelings. I just know they still exist and need to be repaired. Everyone involved should be searching for more tolerance, not more division spurred by misleading headlines.

I am running as a progressive Democratic Primary Candidate in New Jersey’s 10

Congressional District. Our campaign is spreading a message of hope, tolerance, and love for all, and I will always demand that for my constituency. But I will not sit back and become someone taken down for sheer lies and mistruths.

In Solidarity,

John Flora

Senator Tom Kean Calls on Governor to End Attacks on Freelance Reporters & The Media

Local Publisher Set to Reduce Community Coverage After Being Fined by State for Using Independent Contractors

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (photo) called on the Murphy Administration to end its attacks on

independent contractors and the media after the Westfield Leader was fined for not classifying freelance reporters and photographers as employees.

“Many people choose to freelance for a variety of reasons, and those self-employed individuals make it possible for small media outlets like the Westfield Leader to offer comprehensive coverage of local government meetings, school sports, and community events,” said Kean. “Unfortunately, the Westfield Leader has been forced to end its freelance program completely after being fined by the Murphy Administration. I’d like for Governor Murphy to explain to the Leader’s many former contributors how his assault on the company that paid them has improved their situation or that of the community they proudly served. This is a clear example of how the Governor’s flawed labor policies will hurt New Jersey families and further erode a media industry that is already struggling to survive.”

According to the Westfield Leader

, it was forced to end its freelance program after the New Jersey Department of Labor fined the paper’s publisher going back to 2015 for not treating freelance reporters and photographers as employees.

Under the Governor’s direction, the State has fined a variety of businesses and services,

including Uber

, that have allowed freelancers and independent contractors the freedom to work when they want and the opportunity to earn extra income at their own pace.

Kean has been a vocal opponent

of efforts by Democrats in the Legislature to codify through

S-4204

the Murphy Administration’s treatment of independent contractors as employees under State law.

“Some people have a full-time job and want the opportunity to freelance to earn extra income to support their families, and others have caregiver responsibilities that prevent them from working traditional 9 to 5 jobs,” added Kean. “In 2020, we shouldn’t limit people’s ability to work based on some outdated 1950s mentality of what a job should be. Governor Murphy should stop denying the overtaxed people of New Jersey any opportunity to work.”

Former Jersey City Official Charged with Stealing JCETP Funds

NEWARK, N.J. – The former acting executive director of the Jersey City Employment and Training Program (JCETP) has been charged with embezzling JCETP funds, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Sudhan M. Thomas, 44, (photo) of Jersey City, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with embezzling funds from an organization receiving federal funds. Thomas is expected to make his initial appearance on Jan. 9, 2020, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court.

According to the complaint:

Thomas served as JCETP’s acting executive director from January 2019 until his resignation in July 2019. JCETP is a nonprofit organization that operated to assist Jersey City residents to prepare for and enter the work force. JCETP received substantial amounts of its funding from federal grants from the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Using his access to JCETP funds and control of JCETP’s bank accounts, from March 2019 through July 2019, Thomas embezzled more than $45,000 from JCETP. Thomas caused checks to be drawn from JCETP accounts that were made payable to others, but ultimately received by Thomas. He also embezzled JCETP funds by issuing JCETP checks made out to cash that Thomas either cashed himself or used to obtain bank checks that Thomas made payable to his entity, Next Glocal, which were deposited into a Next Glocal bank account that Thomas controlled. Thomas used the JCETP funds deposited to Next Glocal’s bank account to pay for his personal expenses, including payments to Thomas’s landlord in Jersey City and airfare and hotel expenses for a trip to Hawaii, and to fund transfers to Thomas’ family trust account.

The count of theft from an organization receiving federal funds carries a maximum potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General (OIG), under the supervision of Special Agent in Charge Michael Mikulka; and special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Supervisory Special Agent Thomas Mahoney, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tazneen Shahabuddin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee M. Cortes Jr., Chief of the Health Care Fraud Unit, in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

20-003

Defense counsel: Christopher D. Adams Esq., Roseland, New Jersey

American Life League Calls for Catholic Response to Murphy\’s $9.5M Bailout of Planned Parenthood

\”Planned Parenthood is a vicious, racist institution whose actions are diametrically opposed to Catholic moral and social teaching\”~

American Life League president Judie Brown

WASHINGTON, D.C. (03 January 2020) —

American Life League president Judie Brown

issued the following statement calling on Bishop James F. Checchio of the Catholic Diocese of Metuchen to impose canonical sanctions against New Jersey’s governor, Phil Murphy:

Planned Parenthood is a vicious, racist institution whose actions are diametrically opposed to Catholic moral and social teaching. For Murphy to shovel $9.5 million of New Jersey’s taxpayer dollars into the maw of the nation’s #1 abortion machine is abhorrent.

Such actions taken by Catholic public figures do more than just scandalize the faithful. They present to Catholics the idea that they too can create their own private version of truth. Such a condition not only coarsens society, but further erodes the authority of the Catholic bishops in the United States who continue to allow pro-abortion public figures, such as Governor Murphy, to profane the Holy Eucharist.

On behalf of the millions of pro-life Catholics whom we represent and the over 70,000 families who support our work, American Life League calls on Bishop James Checchio to take the sad but necessary step of enforcing Canon 915 and formally instructing Governor Murphy that he is not to present himself to Holy Communion.

Catholics need to be bold enough to realize the link between abortion and the Real Presence of Christ. It should be no small wonder that only 1 in 6 Catholics actually believe in the Real Presence when we do so little to defend Christ’s image in the womb.

Bishop Checchio, millions of Catholics across America are looking to you to see whether or not the Real Presence is more than what the world sees. Murphy’s mockery should not be met with silence, but correction. What would St. Thomas Becket do?

American Life League is the nation’s oldest grassroots, Catholic, pro-life organization. Its president, Judie Brown, has led the organization since its 1979 beginning. She has served three terms on the Pontifical Academy for Life—appointed twice by Pope John Paul II and again by Pope Benedict XVI.

Pittsburg/Scranton Market Lucrative for House Flipping

By Dave Fidlin |

The Center Square

Homebuyers snapping up residential properties and subsequently selling them in short order were able to more than double what they initially paid in two areas of Pennsylvania, according to a recent report.

Researchers with ATTOM Data Solutions, a company specializing in property and real estate records, stated home flippers in the metropolitan statistical areas within Pittsburgh and Scranton were able to sell homes at greater price points in the third quarter of 2019.

The information is included in ATTOM’s

recently released report

on home flipping trends across the U.S.

Home flippers historically have bought and quickly resold homes for a profit, typically after making a series of repairs or improvements to raise the property’s value.

Between July and September, homebuyers who flipped homes and condos in the Pittsburgh area saw overall margins of 132.6 percent, while homebuyers in the Scranton area experienced overall margins of 122.5 percent.

The high flipping yields in the Pittsburgh and Scranton areas bucked a national trend, according to ATTOM researchers, where profit margins in most areas of the country were on the downswing.

The two Pennsylvania metropolitan areas were among eight across the U.S. where home flippers experienced returns on investment of 100 percent or more during the same statistical period. Pittsburgh and Scranton also topped the list.

Other areas of the country with high yields, close behind the two Pennsylvania areas, included Flint, Mich., at 111.2 percent; Cleveland, at 109.8 percent; and Hickory-Lenoir-Morgantown, N.C., at 109.7 percent.

a separate report

from the same statistical period, ATTOM researchers also revealed the Pittsburgh area had some of the largest amounts of all-cash purchases for home flipping.

In metro areas with populations of 1 million or more, Pittsburgh ranked third for all-cash purchases, according to the report, clocking in at 77.2 percent.

The metropolitan area with the greatest preponderance of all-cash purchases was Cleveland-Elyria, Ohio, at 79.2 percent, followed by the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA, at 78.9 percent.

On the whole, 56,566 single-family homes and condos were flipped across the U.S. in the third quarter of 2019, according to ATTOM’s analysis. The figure represented a 12.9 percent decrease from the previous quarter and a 6.8 percent decrease from the third quarter of 2018.

In a statement, Todd Teta, chief product officer at ATTOM Data Solutions, said the home flipping declines point to narrowing profits across many areas of the country.

“The retreat back to more normal levels of sales comes amid broader market forces that are making it harder and harder for investors to complete the kinds of deals they were getting as recently as last year,” Teta said.

In the ATTOM report, Maksim Stavinsky, co-founder and chief operating officer of Roc Capital, said homebuyers in a number of areas of the country have opted to hang on to renovated properties and rent them, rather than sell them at a loss in the current marketplace.

“We have been seeing a decline in projected and realized profits for borrowers on projects, despite the fact that borrower financing costs have been meaningfully coming down,” Stavinsky said in the report.

published here with permission of The Center Square