Camp Invention Summer STEM Program Coming to Charles G. Harker School

Nationally Recognized Program Inspires Local K-6 Students to Become Confident Problem Solvers

Woolwich Twp, NJ February 25, 2020

Camp Invention®

, a nationally recognized, nonprofit summer enrichment camp program, is coming to Charles G. Harker School the week of July 27 – July 31, 2020.

A program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame® (NIHF) in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Camp Invention challenges children in grades K-6 to find their inner inventor by learning the process of innovation. Using hands-on activities, Camp Invention promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning; builds confidence, leadership, perseverance, resourcefulness and problem-solving skills; and encourages entrepreneurship in a fun and engaging environment.

Each year, the program features a new curriculum inspired by some of our nations most world-changing inventors the NIHF Inductees. This years Elevate curriculum features several video challenges from these Inductees encouraging children to be confident in their ideas and explore their innovativeness. These hands-on activities include:

Camp Invention Flight Lab:

Imaginations soar as children learn about flight with gliders, rockets, heliballs and hand-copters. They build a cityscape from upcycled materials, navigate planes through a storm and take apart a robot.

Design Thinking Project:

Campers learn the value of their creativity as they bring their biggest ideas to life. To become successful innovators, they create sketches, build prototypes, design logos and find out how to pitch their invention while protecting their intellectual property.

Rescue Squad:

Using teamwork and problem-solving skills, children protect the Earths ecosystems. Inspiring activities include creating pods to compete in zipline races, exploring energy conservation, eliminating pollution and helping wildlife in habitats across the country.

Camp Invention Champions:

As they discover the unseen inventors behind their favorite sports, campers apply their own ingenuity. They trade inventor playing cards, create and play their own high-energy hover-ball games, and design and build the ultimate sports complex.

At the end of the program, each camper will bring home a robot! Learn more about this years

all-new curriculum.

All local Camp Invention programs are facilitated and taught by certified educators who reside and teach in the community. Camp Invention serves 130,000 students every year and partners with more than 1,800 schools and districts across the nation. For additional information or to find a camp near you, visit

invent.org/camp

About Camp Invention:

Camp Invention is the only nationally recognized summer program focused on creativity, innovation, real-world problem solving and the spirit of invention. Through hands-on programming, Camp Invention encourages children entering kindergarten through sixth grade to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics curriculum inspired by some of the world\’s greatest inventors. Since 1990, our education programs have served more than 1.5 million children, and 170,000 teachers and Leadership Interns. Regional program sponsors include the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Nordson Corporation Foundation, NAVAIR – Lakehurst and ShurTech Brands, LLC.

*McDonald’s Gospelfest Presents Fabulous 2020 Lineup

Yolanda Adams straight from her performance of the National Anthem at Superbowl 54, Kelly Price & Hezekiah Walker;

Gospel Legend Tremaine Hawkins, Deitrick Haddon, Jonathan McReynolds,

a Special Guest Appearance by Erica Campbell,

plus, Group Fire, Tiffany Andrews and more

Newark, NJ –The 38th Annual McDonald’s Gospelfest returns to the Prudential Center Arena (25 Lafayette Street, Newark, NJ) on Saturday, May 9th for the gospel event of the year

. All-Star Gospel line up Yolanda Adams, Kelly Price, Hezekiah Walker with his Love Fellowship Tabernacle Choir, Tremaine Hawkins, Deitrick Haddon, Jonathan McReynolds, a Special Guest Appearance by Erica Campbell, plus, Group Fire and Tiffany Andrews

This will be a special night that no one will want to miss. The Governor of New Jersey, the Mayor of Newark and other dignitaries,and surprise guests will be on hand as well.

McDonald’s Gospelfest tickets are on sale now at the Prudential Center Box Office or online at

www.ticketmaster.com

. Or call the Prudential Center Box Office at 973 757 6000

The 2020 line-up includes:

Yolanda Adams

After twelve albums, five Grammys and performing for several U. S. presidents, she still wows audiences all over the world. Her dazzling rendition of the National Anthem was the hit of this year’s Superbowl. Ever since her 1988 debut album, “Just As I Am.” Yolanda Adams is renowned for pioneering the blend of modern gospel music infused with soul and jazz. For decades, she has empowered fans through her inspirational and contemporary music.

Her albums have earned her multiple awards from music’s highest honors such as the Stellars, Grammys, BMI, Soul Train Awards, NAACP Image, BET, and more. In 2001, she opened a new category and was the first artist to receive an American Music Award for “Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist.” Although the Gospel Music Association has continuously honored Yolanda through multiple Dove Awards, on May 9, 2017, she was inducted into GMA’s Hall of Fame for her outstanding achievements in the Christian music industry. In addition to being a gospel superstar, she has reigned on radio airwaves for more than ten years as the host of her own show, “The Yolanda Adams Morning Show,” which has been heard in over sixty markets nationally.

Kelly Price

Nine-time Grammy nominated singer and songwriter Kelly Price is the second of three daughters, born and raised in Queens, New York, in the church. Price has collaborated with the likes of Mariah Carey, George Michael, Elton John, The Isley Brothers, The Clark Sisters, Brian McKnight and Sean \”Diddy\” Combs as well as Faith Evans, Yolanda Adams, the late Whitney Houston, Donnie McClurkin, Eric Clapton, Shirley Ceasar, Fantasia, Jay-Z, Kanye West, DJ Khaled, Bonnie Raitt, the late James Brown and the list goes on and on. She has taken her talents to the screen and stage with roles in Soul Food, the series, Bringing Down the House and the stage plays Why Did I Get Married? Kelly Price can currently be seen as a series regular for the critically acclaimed Drama American Soul now in its second season which tells the life story of the late Don Cornelius and how he launched the iconic television show and global brand “Soul Train”. Price has also been given the distinguished honor of joining the iconic panel of Judges for Sunday’s Best for the second time now in its 10th season.

Hezekiah Walker

Grammy Award-winning gospel singer, composer and choir leader Hezekiah Walker, known as \”the hip-hop pastor,” has brought many young people to gospel and choir music and has shown that he has no problem using modern vernacular and recording techniques to expand his fan and worship base. Pastor Walker’s following is worldwide. Since 1985 he has released more than 15 albums, garnering 10 Grammy nominations and two wins. For more than a decade, Pastor Hezekiah has anchored Afternoon Drive on New York’s WLIB 1190, bringing star power, conversation and inspiration to millions of loyal listeners.

Tramaine Hawkins

An American award–winning Gospel singer whose career spans over five decades. Since beginning her career in 1966, Tramaine has won two Grammy Awards, two Doves, 19 Stellar Awards , NAACP Image Award, BMI Award. At the age of 17, Hawkins sang on the Edwin Hawkins Singers Choir\’s single \”Oh Happy Day\”. With her distinctive soprano and extensive vocal range, she became better known as a featured soloist with late husband Walter Hawkins Love Center Choir as well as the Hawkins Family. Hawkins scored several hits as a solo artist in the 1980s while signed to Light Records, and released now-classic albums, such as her 1979 self-titled debut, Tramaine, and its 1983 follow-up Determined. Songs such as \”Changed,\” \”Goin Up Yonder\”, \”He\’s That Kind Of Friend\”, Jesus Christ Is The Way\” and \”Highway\” quickly became staples and fan favorites.

Deitrick Haddon

A gospel singer, songwriter, music producer, pastor, and actor. He is best known for progressive gospel, and contemporary styles of music. He has been nominated for three Grammy Awards, four BET Awards and an NAACP Image Award. He is also one of the cast members in Oxygen\’s reality television show Preachers of L.A.

Jonathan McReynolds

A gospel musician. Hailed as one of the leaders of the new school of gospel, he has garnered millions of fans worldwide and broken new ground for gospel in mainstream media. He began his music career in 2012 with the release of Life Music via Entertainment One Music. He has had two #1 Billboard Gospel Albums since with Life Music: Stage Two and Make Room, eight Stellar Awards, a GMA Dove Award and three Grammy Award nominations.

Erica Campbell

A Grammy winning urban contemporary gospel, Christian R&B and contemporary R&B recording artist, musician and radio host. She started her music career in 1998 with her younger sister, Tina Campbell, as part of the gospel music group, Mary Mary. Her solo music career began in 2013 and has since released two albums with Entertainment One Music, which both charted on the Billboard magazine charts. She won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album at the 57th edition of the event. Since May 2016, she serves as the host of Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell with comedian Griff, that currently airs on Urban Gospel, which is owned by Radio One.

Group Fire

Nominated in 2018 for a Stellar Award for Quartet of the Year for their project “Join the Praise Party”. This project has help catapult them onto the main stage in gospel music. As a result, the quartet has worked closely with Producer Steve Cooper and followed up with their 2019 single “Again”. This single is from their forthcoming project entitled “Heal the Land”. Group Fire’s single has charted in the top 20 on Billboard and has remained in the top 30 for over 28 weeks. This song has also helped Group Fire receive two Stellar Award nominations for Duo/Chorus Group of the Year and Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year. In addition, the “Again” video is actively seen on BET Gospel.

Tiffany Andrews

was the fans favorite of BETs Sundays Best Season 9. She hails from Newark NJ, known for her powerhouse vocals she’s an anointed preacher and singers who loves people and ministry.

About Producer, Director A. Curtis Farrow

2020 marks the 22nd year Mr. Farrow has joined with McDonald’s to bring this phenomenal celebration to life. He has received two Emmy awards for producing McDonald’s Gospelfest 2000 and 2001 and eleven nominations in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011 through 2014, 2016 and 2017. In February of 2014, Mr. Farrow fulfilled a longtime dream by organizing and leading 1171 voices to break the Guinness World Record for World\’s Largest Gospel Choir. He has since produced a 2000 voice choir at Madison Square Garden and a 5000voice choir for at the Nassau Coliseum. he was responsible for the organization, planning and execution of the home going services for the Late Whitney Houston and most recently he produced the homegoing services for the Late Aretha Franklin which was seen around the world. Mr. Farrow credits everything in his life to his strong belief in God.

About McDonald’s Gospelfest

McDonald’s Gospelfest originated in 1983 under the auspices of the McDonald’s Corporation and the McDonald’s New York Metro Owner/Operator Association. Over thirty years later, it has emerged as the nation’s preeminent Gospel celebration, bringing joy, inspiration, encouragement and hope to millions of Americans. Previous McDonald’s Gospelfest participants have gone on to successful careers in entertainment, including the renowned Bishop Hezekiah Walker.

About McDonald’s New York Tri-State Restaurants

McDonald’s serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to nearly 25 million customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. There are more than 560 McDonald’s restaurants, owned by 65 franchisees, located throughout the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut Tri-State area.

Is Your Business Prepared to Negotiate the Hybrid Cloud Skills Gap?

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(February 26, 2020)–Today\’s IT specialists are working overtime to garner fast-evolving skills. That\’s why industry leaders are reaching out to third-party hybrid cloud experts.

Many business operators consider the hybrid cloud a significant asset. That’s largely because it allows work product to seamlessly move between public and private clouds in a cost-effective and secure fashion. This best-of-both-worlds flexibility offers an uptick in data deployment possibilities. But one of the challenges industry leaders continue to face is that navigating the hybrid cloud calls for particular skills many in-house IT teams have yet to acquire.

In fact, a recent Cloud Complexity Management survey found that nearly 50 percent of upper-management decision-makers indicated working in the cloud was increasingly more complex. And 42 percent of the 504 cloud professionals polled stated that having appropriately trained talent was the best solution to negotiating the cloud. As technology rapidly advances, it’s likely that working in the cloud will prove even more beneficial. Profit-generating improvements, however, are likely to be coupled with the need for additional skills development. In order to overcome the growing skills gap, it’s essential that business leaders answer some crucial questions before attempting to negotiate the hybrid cloud.

Elevate Services Group provides

managed IT services in Denver

and shares some insights into addressing the cloud skills group.

How Much Time Will You Spend in the Cloud?

Cloud utilization varies between industry sectors and unique outfits. Some organizations see the hybrid cloud as a layover along a journey to a permanent and fully public cloud. Other companies envision the hybrid cloud as a perfect fit for goal achievement. It’s important to conduct high-level discussions between the management team, in-house IT staff, and a third-party expert to determine whether your organization is best served lingering in the hybrid cloud or setting down roots.

Are You Prepared to Make Long-Term Cloud Decisions?

Having management, IT, and a third-party hybrid cloud expert together creates an environment for fruitful discussion. Outfits with in-house technicians can speak to the current state of the technology, and third-party experts generally have the pulse of where the cloud is heading. This gives CEOs and entrepreneurs the definition necessary to make informed decisions.

The bedrock of those decisions calls for determining the company’s needs. As communication and networking become increasingly complicated, specific tasks may be better served to migrate to the public cloud. Others, such as sensitive data, maybe best guarded by heightened cybersecurity of your own network. Although concerns of the public cloud being less-than-secure have been somewhat exaggerated, it’s up to you and your team to bring cybersecurity into the discussion. At the end of the day, how you proceed will be driven by wide-ranging business needs.

Do You Know the Infrastructure Realities?

Hybrid cloud productivity can be streamlined by employing advanced backup tools that underscore an infrastructure that is hyper-converged. In-house IT teams are usually open to the efficiency benefits infrastructure solutions deliver. This tends to be an area where skills gaps also exist. Decision-makers would be well served to consider forward-thinking infrastructure in the context of developing necessary skills. It’s crucial to keep a candid dialogue about skills on the table as you work through hybrid cloud development.

What Are Your Team’s Present Skills?

The wide-ranging skills required to be considered an expert in any sliver of the IT world can be quite humbling. Consummate professionals understand that fast-improving technologies have a ripple effect across the industry in terms of skill development. It goes without saying that no IT team can do it all, and that’s one of the reasons a hybrid skill gap has emerged.

Before diving into the hybrid cloud, it’s worthwhile to take an honest inventory of the in-house team\’s skills. Then, identify what development is needed to bring your valued employees int the future. Other solutions may be outsourcing to a hybrid cloud specialist or short-term staff augmentation. The point is that once you understand where this journey is going and the skill sets of your team members, you’ll have a clear picture of how to succeed.

According to the Cloud Complexity Management study, 49 percent of industry professionals said that training was the best way to address unexpected complexities, and 32 percent pointed to effective people.

image courtesy of unsplash.com

AG\’s from New Jersey, New York and Others Suing EPA Over Pollution from Other States

By Kim Jarrett |

The Center Square

The attorneys general of New York, New Jersey and three other states are accusing the U.S. Environmental Protection (EPA) of violating the Clean Air Act by not addressing pollution that is coming from other states.

The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in New York is asking the court require the EPA to propose and adopt a plan addressing the problem and set a specific date.

New Jersey is leading the lawsuit that also includes Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts and New York City.

The governments say upwind sources from Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia are creating ground-level ozone filled with harmful nitrogen oxide that can cause coughing, throat irritation and lung damage, according to a statement from New York Attorney General Letitia James. People with asthma, bronchitis and heart disease may have additional problems because of the pollution.

The lawsuit also contends that the EPA’s failure to address the issue “places unfair economic and administrative burdens on certain Plaintiff states.”

James said the EPA is refusing to address the problem and the pollution is going unaddressed.

“The transport of air pollution from upwind states continues to threaten the health and safety of New Yorkers,” James said.

New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said it’s time for the EPA to “live up to its legal duty.”

“We already beat EPA in court and won an order demanding the federal government tackle out-of-state pollution, and yet EPA still did not act,” Grewal said in a statement. “Enough is enough: this is a serious environmental and public health problem, and it demands a serious response from Washington.”

The EPA, in

a news release

, stated that 2019 data showed significant decreases in pollutants from power plants.

“Under President [Donald] Trump, our economy continues to grow, and we are enjoying ever-improving air quality,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said. “Through state and federal fulfillment of the Clean Air Act, as well as advances by the power sector, we have seen significant reductions in key pollutants. Notably, annual emissions of [sulfur dioxide] from the power sector fell 23 percent and are below 1 million tons for the first time in modern history.”

The EPA also noted declines in pollutant levels from nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide and mercury.

\”The annual data show a 23 percent decline in [sulfur dioxide] emissions compared to 2018, a 14 percent decline in [nitrogen oxide] emissions, an 8 percent decline in [carbon dioxide] emissions, and a 13 percent decrease in [mercury emissions] emissions,\” the news release said. \”Additionally, ozone season [nitrogen oxide] emissions dropped by 13 percent. During this time period, electric generation from these power plants decreased by 3 percent.\”

The states have successfully sued the EPA before, but the federal Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled last October that the agency’s proposed solution was inadequate and invalid and the agency breached its duty to hold the upwind states accountable.

The court ruled again in November the EPA should develop a solution under the “Good Neighbor Provision” of the Clean Air Act. The EPA has not done so, the complainants said in their lawsuit.

The attorneys general say the court must rule before the 2020 ozone season begins in May. They are asking the court to create a federal plan for each of the upwind states and award the plaintiff’s the cost of the attorney’s fees.

“EPA’s failure to take immediate action will prolong harms to the state plaintiffs and the health of our residents from high ozone levels, and foreclose the ability of plaintiff states to demonstrate attainment of the 2008 NAAQs by the July 2021 deadline,” the attorneys general say in their lawsuit.

published by Gloucestercitynews.net with permission of

The Center Square

NRA-ILA: Gun Bills Stall in Senate Committee

New Jersey:

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020

SUPPORT NRA-ILA

It’s a good day in Trenton when nothing happens, and that’s exactly what occurred today. The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee failed to advance a pair of gun control bills on Monday’s agenda. A few of the committee members were absent, and those who were there couldn’t agree on the legislation.

View Related Articles

S.120 by Sen. James Holzapfel increases penalties on those who fail to secure firearms from minors resulting in death. New Jersey already prosecutes negligent storage, however, S.120 increases the penalty in these cases. This year’s bill at least takes into consideration an objection raised by NRA and ANJRPC in previous hearings, and provides an exception for minors who gain access for self-defense purposes. However, despite this modest improvement, we have learned that anti-gun groups and lawmakers have huddled, deciding the bill doesn’t go far enough. We obviously do not have access to forthcoming amendments, so our analysis has been confined to the original bill.

Another bill, S.746 by Sen. Vin Gopal, would prohibit those convicted of “animal cruelty” from purchasing or possessing a firearm. Clearly, animal abuse is a serious issue and offenders should be prosecuted, and New Jersey already prohibits serious animal abusers from owning firearms. However, there seemed to be a good deal of confusion about the particulars of the bill, specifically what constitutes “animal cruelty.” A consensus emerged among committee members and even a couple witnesses that the bill was overly broad, and they are going to re-examine the definition of “animal cruelty.”

Thank you to the NRA members who contacted members of the committee. Please continue to follow NRA-ILA alerts for updates on these bills and others.

For those wishing to continue to express concerns, please contact the committee members below:

Members of the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee:

Linda Greenstein

(Chair) (D14)

SenGreenstein@njleg.org

Phone: 609-395-9911

Joe Cryan

(Vice Chair) (D20)

SenCryan@njleg.org

Phone: 908-624-0880

Anthony M. Bucco

(R25)

SenBucco@njleg.org

Phone: 973-627-9700

Nia H. Gill

(D34)

SenGill@njleg.org

Phone: 973-509-0388

Declan O\’Scanlon

(D13)

SenOScanlon@njleg.org

Phone: 732-933-1591

Nick Sacco

(D32)

SenSacco

njleg.org

Phone: 201-295-0200

NEW 2020 DEMOCRATS FEATURED IN COMIC BOOK SERIES

TidalWave Comics is proud to announce the addition of several comic books to its popular “Political Power” series focused on the Democratic Party candidates vying to replace President Trump.

With the 2020 U.S. presidential election in full swing, TidalWave’s latest slate features Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Bernie Sanders, Mike Bloomberg and Elizabeth Warren.

TidalWave has profiled politicians for more than 11 years using the unique storytelling properties of comic books. In 2016, the company published books featuring Republican presidential candidates, including Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, Rand Paul and, of course, Donald Trump.

“In 2016, we focused heavily on Republicans. This time, we are heavy on the Democrats,” TidalWave Comics Publisher Darren Davis said.

Davis’ balanced approach appealed to writer Michael Frizell, an administrator at Missouri State University who wrote several of the biography comics during the last election cycle. “My goal is always to tell a good story,” Frizell said.

The biography comic format allows TidalWave writers to delve into the history of newsworthy figures and explore what shaped them. Several media outlets, including CNN, FOX News, “The Today Show” and Time and People magazines, have featured the company’s line of biographical comic books.

“As a reluctant reader, I found the comic book form easy to access, so I always believed comics could both entertain and teach,” Davis said.

The comic books give readers insights into the candidates’ personal stories, plus they make great political memorabilia.

Print copies of the biography comics are available on Amazon. Digital versions are available from iTunes, Kindle, Nook, ComiXology, Kobo and wherever e-books are sold.

Political Power: Joe Biden

Written by Wey-Yuih Loh

Art by Jonathan Rector

Joe Biden was once America’s youngest member of Congress. As Barack Obama’s running mate and eventual vice president, Biden gradually carved a place for himself in American history. Like all long-serving politicians, his road to the presidency has not been easy. This biography comic traces Biden’s life in an easily accessible story that gives the reader insight into Biden’s character.

Political Power: Peter Buttigieg

Release date: April 2020

Written by Michael L. Frizell

Art by Juan José Pereyra

Cover by famed comic book artist: Dave Ryan

Peter Paul Montgomery Buttigieg, a veteran of the Afghanistan War, is the son of professors at Notre Dame who instilled in him a desire to learn. After graduating from Harvard and studying at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, Pete became the nation’s youngest mayor. His tenure at the helm of South Bend, Indiana, has met with some controversy, but Mayor Pete, the first openly gay candidate for U.S. president, has grown to be a rising star in the Democratic Party.

Political Power: Bernie Sanders

Written and art by Joe Paradise

The longest-serving independent member of Congress in American history, the often-fiery senator from Vermont enjoyed a grassroots-level groundswell of support that brought him within striking distance of the nomination for president in 2016. Bernie is back, consistently polling high with Democrats and Independents and ready to take on the establishment in 2020.

Political Power: Mike Bloomberg

Release date: May 2020

Written by Michael L. Frizell

Cover by famed comic book artist: Dave Ryan

Mike Bloomberg, the once Republican mayor of New York City, is now a Democrat and ready to take on President Trump in the 2020 election. The billionaire is self-funding his race for the nomination and has traded barbs with the president in some very public feuds. Read the story of a self-made billionaire who wants to lead the United States of America.

Female Force: Elizabeth Warren

Written by Michael L. Frizell

Art by Pablo Martinena & Vincenzo Sansone

Senator Elizabeth Warren is a favorite target of President Trump. Undaunted, Warren has carved a name for herself as a rising star in the Democratic Party and a presidential candidate who fights big banks and large corporations to support the middle class. From her modest roots in rural Oklahoma to her exalted role as a senator from Massachusetts, Warren’s story comes to life in this issue of Female Force.

The latest books featuring 2020 Democratic Party presidential candidates join TidalWave’s ever-growing library of more than 200 comic book biographies. Previous titles have profiled Donald Trump, Condoleezza Rice, George Bush, Marco Rubio and Rand Paul, among others.

Please feel free to use the images and credit TidalWave Productions. To download some PDF’s and covers click here:

http://bit.ly/38UiSZG

Review copies in PDF form and interview opportunities are available upon request.

For more information about the company, visit

www.tidalwavecomics.com

About TidalWave Comics

TidalWave is a multifaceted multimedia production company with the mission of delivering dynamic storytelling in a variety of forms by developing graphic and literary fiction and nonfiction, audio, film and more. The company’s wide range of diverse titles delight readers through its creative and innovative storytelling available in high-quality print and electronic formats.

TidalWave delivers a multimedia experience unparalleled in the burgeoning graphic fiction and nonfiction marketplace. Dynamic storytelling, coupled with groundbreaking art, delivers an experience like no other. Stories are told through multiple platforms and genres, gracing the pages of graphic novels, novelizations, engaging audio dramas and cutting-edge film projects. Diversity defines TidalWave’s offerings in the burgeoning pop-culture marketplace through its use of fresh voices and innovative storytellers.

As one of the top independent publishers of comic books and graphic novels, TidalWave unites cutting-edge art and engaging stories produced by the publishing industry’s most exciting artists and writers. Its extensive catalog of comic book titles includes the bestsellers “10th Muse” and “The Legend of Isis,” complemented by a line of young adult books and audiobooks.

TidalWave’s publishing partnerships include entertainment icon William Shatner (“TekWar Chronicles”), legendary filmmaker Ray Harryhausen (“Wrath of the Titans,” “Sinbad: Rogue of Mars,” “Jason and the Argonauts” and more), novelists S.E. Hinton (“The Puppy Sister”) and William F. Nolan (“Logan’s Run”), and celebrated actors Vincent Price (“Vincent Price Presents”), Dirk Benedict of the original “Battlestar Galactica” (“Dirk Benedict in the 25

Century”) and Adam West of 1966’s “Batman” fame (“The Mis-Adventures of Adam West”). TidalWave also publishes a highly successful line of biographical comics under the titles “Orbit,” “Fame,” “Beyond,” “Tribute,” “Female Force” and “Political Power.”

NJBIA Statement on Gov. Murphy\’s Proposed FY 2021 Budget

NJBIA President and CEO Michele N. Siekerka, Esq. issued the following statement regarding Gov. Phil Murphy\’s proposed FY 2021 budget today.

\”NJBIA appreciates Governor Murphy\’s efforts to prepare a state budget that makes investments in New Jersey\’s future, particularly given our state\’s considerable fiscal challenges. We support investments in NJ TRANSIT and workforce development proposed today, and await more details on potential public health benefits savings.

\”Unfortunately, this proposed budget continues along the well-worn path of more taxation and spending without truly addressing the structural issues that leave New Jersey with an ever-increasing mountain of debt.

Gloucestercitynews.net graphics

\”Today\’s proposal increases New Jersey\’s overall budget by 5.4% compared to last fiscal year and 17.6% from FY 2018. To balance this additional spending, the governor is again looking to place an even greater burden on our already overtaxed residents and job creators whose slim profit margins have been reduced amid costly mandates and onerous regulations.

\”The question we need to ask ourselves today is: How can tax increases be justified at a time of a budget surplus, built largely on the backs of business, and when spending on discretionary items is going up by hundreds of millions of dollars?

\”New Jersey has experienced a net loss of $30.1 billion in adjusted gross income over the last 14 years of available data. This is indisputable. Broadening the base for the top gross income tax rate will do nothing to reverse this trend. It will make more top earners pay the second highest top income rate in the nation. It will also not bring about meaningful property tax relief.

\”True relief for the middle class will only be found when our policymakers stop their tax-first approach and embark on a reform agenda that comprehensively addresses underfunded pensions.

\”Without that fiscal discipline and political resolve, New Jersey will continue along the path of ballooning budgets and ever-escalating taxes. And our affordability crisis will worsen as we wonder what new or increased tax will be proposed next year to fund the pension system.

\”We hope that during this budget season, Governor Murphy and the Legislature can work together on a comprehensive strategy that addresses our unsustainable obligations and gives our great state the opportunity to grow our economy through responsible, sound investment.\”

*The Salvation Army Kroc Center in Camden Hosts 5th Annual Garbage Bag Gala

Fashion Show Supports Women’s and Family Programs at Kroc Center

Camden City, NJ

–

The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center

in Camden City will hold its

Annual Garbage Bag Gala Fashion Show, presented by U.S. Facilities

, on

Friday, May 15

at the renovated

Marian House

in Cherry Hill in support of women’s and family programs at the Kroc Center.

Presented by U.S. Facilities, Inc. and sponsored by New Jersey American Water, this awe-inspiring runway show will showcase fashions created from recycled and unconventional materials, even garbage bags. Over 30 designs from professional, hobbyist and student designers from

Drexel’s Westphal College of Media Arts & Design

will be featured in the annual event, including designs from acclaimed red-carpet designer and Season 18 contestant on Bravo’s “Project Runway,”

Nancy Volpe Beringer

“The Garbage Bag Gala is one-of-a-kind fashion show,” said The Salvation Army’s

Major Susan Wood

. “We’re very excited to showcase the creations of our many talented designers participating in this inspiring show that seems to get exponentially better every year – all in support of The Salvation Army’s goal of transforming the life of every member of our community.”

Attendees of this year’s Garbage Bag Gala are invited to a pre-show reception beginning at 6:30 p.m., featuring delicious food, cocktails and music. The fashion show will then begin promptly at 8 p.m. with Fox 29’s Good Day Philadelphia Co-Anchor

Thomas Drayton

serving as emcee. Cocktail attire is expected, fashion forward is encouraged. For those feeling adventurous, dress in-theme by creating a garment, gown or accessory made from recycled materials. All participants dressed in-theme will be eligible to be named “Trashiest Dressed of the Night.”

Proceeds from the Garbage Bag Gala support women\’s programs at the Kroc Center, many of which benefit single mothers and women who are head-of-household, and their families. Funds raised help make possible programs such as after-school care, fitness and recreation activities, prayer and Bible study groups, nutrition classes and special events like “Operation Cinderella”. The Garbage Bag Gala also helps meet the needs of the community by providing funding for food assistance, Christmas meals and holiday toys for low-income families.

“The Salvation Army is often an unsung hero serving every need – the whole person – through their incredible Kroc Center,” said

Angela Barnshaw

, Chair of the Garbage Bag Gala Planning Committee. “These recycled materials transformed into gorgeous garments offer amazing symbolism for the good work being done by The Salvation Army. It is such an honor to be part of this project. We are working to make it the most fashionable charity event in South Jersey!”

Tickets for the Garbage Bag Gala are $125 each. Sponsorships are available. If you are interested in sponsoring the Garbage Bag Gala, please contact Event Chair, Angela Barnshaw at (856) 261-6765 or

abarnshaw@agent06.com

. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit

http://www.camdenkroccenter.org/garbagegala.html

Photo Caption

Acclaimed red-carpet designer and show director, Nancy Volpe Beringer, and Drexel University College of Westphal Media Arts and Design student Tara Rasmussen pose with model Kei Mante Wright, who wears their co-designed finale look for presenting sponsor U.S Facilities, Inc. at the 2019 Garbage Bag Gala.

###

About The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center

Located on 24 acres, the 120,000 square-foot Salvation Army Kroc Center is the largest community center of its kind in Camden, New Jersey. This unprecedented place of gathering and enrichment houses a fitness center, basketball court, water park, 8-lane swimming pool, as well as an array of education, faith, arts and supportive programs open and accessible to all. The programs, as well as the building itself, have been designed to stimulate the mind, body and spirit, to provide hope, and to transform lives within the community. Development of The Salvation Army Kroc Center was made possible by a combined capital and endowment grant from a bequest to The Salvation Army by the late Mrs. Joan Kroc, widow of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc, as well as the support of hundreds of local donors. For more information please visit

www.camdenkroccenter.org

CNB BUSINESS NEWS

Paramus Inspection Station Closed February 26

TRENTON – New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) customers are advised that the Paramus Inspection Station, located at 20 W. Century Road, Paramus, NJ 07652, will be closed on Wednesday, February 26, 2020.

The MVC has been notified by PSE&G that it will be doing electrical work in front of the entrance and exit to the inspection facility that will require closing access points. The electrical work is in connection with a Bergen County bridge refurbishing project that requires PSE&G to relocate its overhead wires and equipment.

The MVC apologizes for any inconvenience.

Alternate inspection stations include:

Wayne

481 Route 46 West

Wayne, NJ 07470

Lodi

8 Mill Street

Lodi, NJ 07644

The MVC reminds customers to always check our website before visiting a local office and to take advantage of driver license renewal and other online services, such as vehicle registration renewals, driver abstract requests, and surcharge and restoration payments.

For more about the ongoing positive changes at the MVC, visit

njmvc.gov

FACE OF DEFENSE: United States’ only Heavy Icebreaker completes Antarctic Treaty Inspections

MCMURDO STATION, Antarctica — The 159 crewmembers onboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) departed McMurdo Station Wednesday after escorting three refuel and resupply vessels and assisting with a five-day inspection of foreign research stations, installations and equipment in Antarctica.

MCMURDO STATION, MCMURDO STATION, ANTARCTICA 02.05.2020 Photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer NyxoLyno Cangemi U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area Subscribe41 The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) is moored Feb. 5, 2020, next to the Maersk Peary in McMurdo, Antarctica. The crew of the 44-year-old icebreaker created a channel in the ice near McMurdo Station as a part of Operation Deep Freeze – the U.S. military’s contribution to the U.S. Antarctic Program, which is managed by the National Science Foundation. U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Senior Chief Petty Officer NyxoLyno Cangemi

The departure marks the Polar Star’s 23rd journey to Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze, an annual joint military service mission to resupply the United States Antarctic stations, in support of the National Science Foundation, the lead agency for the United States Antarctic Program.

The Seattle-based 399-foot, 13,000-ton

Polar Star

created a 23-mile channel through the ice to McMurdo Sound, which enabled the offload of over 19.5 million pounds of dry cargo and 7.6 million gallons of fuel from three logistics vessels. Together these three ships delivered enough fuel and critical supplies to sustain NSF operations throughout the year until Polar Star returns in 2021.

Two scuba divers are lowered to the ice Feb. 1, 2020, from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) approximately seven miles north of McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Scuba divers from the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army and the Royal Canadian Navy are serving aboard the Polar Star in order to effect emergency repairs if needed to the 44-year-old heavy icebreaker. The crew of the Seattle-based Polar Star is working near Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2020, the U.S. military’s contribution to the National Science Foundation-managed U.S. Antarctic Program. U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Senior Chief Petty Officer NyxoLyno Cangemi

The Polar Star also supported a team of U.S. government officials from the U.S. Department of State, National Science Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Coast Guard who

conducted a five-day inspection

of foreign research stations, installations, and equipment in Antarctica.

The United States continues to promote Antarctica’s status as a continent reserved for peace and science in accordance with the provisions of the Antarctic Treaty of 1959. The inspection serves to verify compliance with the Antarctic Treaty and its Environmental Protocol, including provisions prohibiting military measures and mining, as well as provisions promoting safe station operation and sound environmental practices.

The team inspected three stations: Mario Zucchelli (Italy), Jang Bogo (South Korea), and Inexpressible Island (China). This was the fifteenth inspection of foreign research stations by the United States in Antarctica, and the first since 2012.

Inspections emphasize that all of Antarctica is accessible to interested countries despite territorial claims and reinforce the importance of compliance with the Antarctic Treaty’s arms control provisions. The United States will present its report on the inspection at the next Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in Helsinki, Finland, in May 2020.

“I am immensely proud of all the hard work and dedication the men and women of the Polar Star demonstrate each and every day,” said Greg Stanclik, commanding officer of the Polar Star.

“Maintaining and operating a 44-year-old ship in the harshest of environments takes months of planning and preparation, long workdays and missed holidays, birthdays and anniversaries with loved ones. The Polar Star crew truly embodies the ethos of the Antarctic explorers who came before us — courage, sacrifice and devotion.”

Commissioned in 1976, the Polar Star is the United States’ only operational heavy icebreaker, capable of breaking ice up to 21 feet thick. Reserved for Operation Deep Freeze each year, the ship spends the winter breaking ice near Antarctica, and when the mission is complete, returns to dry dock in order to conduct critical maintenance and repairs in preparation for the next Operation Deep Freeze mission.

If a catastrophic event, such as getting stuck in the ice, were to happen to the

Coast Guard Cutter Healy

(WAGB 20) in the Arctic or to the Polar Star near Antarctica, the U.S. Coast Guard is left without a self-rescue capability.

By contrast, Russia currently operates more than 50 icebreakers – several of which are nuclear powered.

The Coast Guard has been the sole provider of the nation’s polar icebreaking capability since 1965, and is seeking to increase its icebreaking fleet with

six new polar security cutters

to ensure continued national presence and access to the Polar Regions.

In April, the

Coast Guard awarded VT Halter Marine Inc.

of Pascagoula, Mississippi, a contract for the design and construction of the Coast Guard’s lead

polar security cutter

, which will also be homeported in Seattle. The contract also includes options for the construction of two additional PSCs.

\”Replacing the Coast Guard\’s icebreaker fleet is paramount,\” said Vice Adm. Linda Fagan, commander of the Coast Guard\’s Pacific Area. \”Our ability to clear a channel and allow for the resupply of the United States\’ Antarctic stations is essential for continued national presence and influence on the continent.\”

FACE OF DEFENSE

AMERICAN HERO