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Van Drew gives speech in OC, ahead of next week’s rally By Bob Fertsch

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he Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted U.S. Representative Jeff Van Drew on Wednesday, January 23rd. The Flanders Hotel ballroom was full as Jeff Van Drew took the podium. The freshman Congressman didn’t waste any time with small talk. He took the elephant in the room head on. Van Drew spoke at length about his party switch and what led him to the Republican party after his political assent as a Democrat. “Even in my early years in politics in Dennis Township, some thought I was too moderate or conservative to be a Democrat. My beliefs never changed as I became Dennis Township Mayor, then County Freeholder and then Assemblyman. When I ran for Congress, national issues came up, including my stance on the leaders in Washington. I thought Nancy Pelosi was done. That her time has come and gone. I expressed how I would vote on her and followed though.” He added, “I also made it clear when I was running that impeachment is a really big deal. It should not be taken lightly. This act could split up the country. Millions of people voted for President Trump. Impeachment takes their vote away. I made it known that unless I found something clearly illegal that impeachment would hurt the country. I voted no. “ Van Drew went on to talk about a Republican he looked up to. “Ronald Reagan is an inspiration to me. He brought our country together with a renewed sense of patriotism. I have a large picture of him in my office. Reagan often described Amer-

ica as a shining city on a hill. I completely agree. We are an exceptional people. Some Democrats believe everyone in the world is the same. Many in my former party feel Americans are no better than citizens of other countries. I understand we all live in world created by God, but I also believe Americans are special. We are the greatest country. I have respect for our leaders. I was bothered by some comments made to me after my vote. A fellow Democrat said “Do you know what’s wrong with you? You don’t have enough hate in your heart. You don’t hate Republicans enough. You don’t hate the President enough”. He described his meeting with the county committee chairperson, without mentioning his name. “This person said I must vote for impeachment. He was trying to force me to vote for something I did not believe in to gain his organization’s reelection support. I call that a Quid pro quo!” Van Drew went on to describe his interaction with the president. “Amazingly, the very same day an assistant to the President called for a meeting with me. Donald Trump heard what I was saying about impeachment. Van Drew described the president as very calm in the meeting. In the meeting Jeff made the decision to switch to the Republican party. The president was overjoyed.” In describing Trump’s response, “He said let’s announce it today and we’ll have a rally next week in Southern New Jersey where I will publicly endorse you.” Laughing, Van Drew recalled what he said next. “I must tell my wife first." He then added, “And now my wife is Republican too."

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Your never too old or young to try something new

From the Editor

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here is something exhilarating about throwing an axe, a primal satisfaction in doing something that upon first glance seems wild and dangerous. I have always been an adventure enthusiast though, so from the minute I heard about it, I was all in. On Friday night, I grabbed some friends and headed to AC Axe and Pub at Steel Pier in Atlantic City. Like many of us, by the time Friday rolls around, I'm more than ready to blow off some steam. I couldn't think of a more exciting way to do it. Axe-throwing reminds me of an extreme version of darts. It’s a game whereby you throw an axe at a large wooden board with targets painted on, and score points based on where your axe lands. I haven't played darts in a long time so I wasn't sure how I would do.

Photo by Marc Berman

Photo by Marc Berman

If you have some trepidation about practice shots, I got lucky and hit the the combination of people drinking bulls eye! It felt great to challenge alcohol and throwing axes, as myself to do something new many do, don't worry. It and different. Even in Janis very safe! There are uary, our "dead season" fenced in lanes so wild down the shore, there axes sailing through are always opportunithe air is impossible. ties to try something The axes are carefulnew. Urban axe throwly controlled and an instructor is always ing is a growing nearby guiding you trend. Westecunk Axe where to stand and Throwing also recently how to properly throw opened in Atlantic City your axe. next to Little Water DisKnowing my own lim- Photo by Marc Berman tillery. The first axe-throwing its, I decided to skip the alcohol and go right for the axes. bar in North America is believed to After some instructions and a couple have started in Toronto in 2011. Now,

Issue 118

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Celebra�ng Life at The Southern NJ Shore Office - (609) 788-4812

axe throwing is sweeping the country with venues and leagues popping up everywhere. I recently heard of some taking it a step furthur, allowing patrons to post pictures of the most disliked people in their lives, often their exs bosses, or politicians to aim for. You're never too old or young to learn something new. Many of us get very busy in the summer months so winter can be the perfect time to challenge ourselves to try something new. If you like more information about axe throwing, visit acaxeandpub.com or westecunkaxe.com

Peace & Love, Cindy

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Planning a High Speed Bullet Train in NJ By Cindy Christy Fertsch

I

magine a bullet train that travels 372 miles an hour connecting Newark and Atlantic City Airports. Imagine all the opportunities and possibilities that would bring to South Jersey. Designer and Egg Harbor Township resident, Cynthia Cortopassi is more than imagining it. She has planned and secured funding for it. If things go according to Cortopassi's plans, New Jersey may have the first high-speed bullet train in America, connecting international flights from all over the world via Atlantic City and Newark airport, not to mention also connecting to the largest metropolitan area in our country. With nearly twenty million people from 200 nationalities, transportation is key. Cortopassi's "Rock-n-Rose" bullet train has partnered with the largest train and parts manufacturer in the world. CRRC, based in Beijing, China, has 180,000 employees with 7,500 miles of high-speed rail already built and well stocked warehouses ready to go. Why would CRRC fund the bullet train? "Because the US demands the highest standards of quality. If CRRC produces for the US, they would

then be recognized as the 'go to' for world class quality," says Cortopassi. New Jersey is the perfect location for a number of reasons including the Garden State Parkway, the New Jersey Turnpike, AC Expressway, Atlantic City and Jersey City Airports and the Atlantic City Casinos. "With easily accessed, rapid transportation, this area could become an in- Cynthia Cortopassi ternational destination for four week vacations, with travelers able to enjoy the entire area, readily transporting When was the first "Bullet Train" built? between each," says Cortopassi. What's next? According to Cortopassi, The first high-speed line ran between Tokyo and Osaka Japan "10 to 12 engineers from the CRRC will evaluate and provide a feasibility study in 1964. It was named for it's bullet assessing all costs. Politically we must also shape and speed, reaching 130 mph., have the support of NJ Senator Sweeney sections of the Florence-Rome line and Governor Murphy." became Europe's first high-speed A bullet train in our backyard would railway at top speed of 155 mph. The entire route was completed in 1992. be a game changer. Imagine the economic impact and opportunities it would generCan these trains run on ate. Also imagine taking a 30 minute train conventional tracks? ride to work or play anywhere in New York City. This is the now fully funded Most high-speed trains run on vision Cortopassi has for South Jersey. conventional tracks that are similar to conventional gauge systems, but built with stronger material. The train on such a track is likely to have two synchronised engines (power cars), one at either end. Most receive power from roof-mounted pantographs and overhead supply lines. A large part of route alignment is kept straight to support high speed. Although in most countries these trains operate on dedicated tracks, many can also run on conventional tracks at reduced speeds.

What are Maglev trains? Unlike conventional trains that use wheels, the Maglev is based on magnetic levitation. Electromagnets levitate the train a short distance just above the tracks. These magnets also create the thrust that moves the train. Compared to conventional trains, Maglev has superior controls as its acceleration and braking doesn't depend on friction of the track. The Maglev is very expensive to construct and there are only three operational commercial Maglev systems -in Japan, China and South Korea. Shanghai Maglev has the highest run speed of 267 mph for an operational train. What is the high-speed rail network's global infrastructure? The total length of high speed rail lines across the world is about 43,000km. China has 65% of this network, and accounts for over 60% of global high-speed passenger traffic.

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ACUA and Pleasantville Housing Authority to Build One of State’s First Community Solar Projects

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he Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) and the Pleasantville Housing Authority (PHA) were recently awarded approval to build one of the state’s first community solar projects through the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) Community Solar Energy Pilot Program. A community solar project allows a solar array built at one property to provide electricity to multiple subscribers throughout the community. It allows those who may not have the ability to install solar on their property to partake in the benefits of renewable energy. With the NJBPU’s pilot program, New Jersey joins many states that have successfully implemented community solar initiatives. The ACUA/ PHA project was one of only 45 selected out of 252 applications, and one of just three in the Atlantic City Electric coverage area. The approved project consists of a two megawatt solar array that will be installed on the closed portions of ACUA’s landfill in Egg Harbor Township. The power generated will be

sold to PHA residents at a discounted price. “ACUA is proud to partner with the Pleasantville Housing Authority in bringing clean, renewable energy to more Atlantic County residents,” said ACUA President Rick Dovey. “As beneficiaries of solar energy for years, we know it works, is cleaner for our community, and can be cheaper for ratepayers. We are happy to put the closed space on our

landfill to work for the community in this way.” “We are excited to introduce the benefits of renewable energy to the more than 300 residents of the Pleasantville Housing Authority through this forward-thinking partnership with ACUA,” said Vernon Lawrence, Executive Director/CEO/CFO of the Pleasantville Housing Authority. The NJBPU pilot program was designed to evaluate community

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JANUARY 23, 2020

Wildwood Gets Ready to Rally for Trump and Van Drew Record Breaking 100,000 want tickets

By Cindy Christy Fertsch

I

n less than a week, President Donald J. Trump will make his way down to the Jersey Shore for a campaign rally, an event expected to draw thousands of both supporters and protesters. Wildwood sees hundreds of thousands of visitors every summer, but this time of year, it is typically very quiet. That is about to change in a BIG way with President Trump's planned rally for Tuesday, January 28th at the Wildwood Convention Center. The last time a sitting President has come to Cape May County was well over a hundred years ago, in 1891. This is a huge event putting Wildwood in the national spotlight. Officials for the Wildwoods Convention Center plan on allowing entry to 7,400 people. However, Congressman Van Drew said approximately 100,000 tickets have been requested. This is the highest demand for any event the president has held, U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew told Fox News during an interview Sunday. Republican Congressman and for-

JANUARY 23, 2020

mer Democrat, Jeff Van Drew will be flying in on Air Force One along with President Trump. Van Drew defected from his party in December and pledging his support for President Trump. What you need to know about this historic event: •Registration Those that would like to attend need to get tickets through the President's website at DonaldJTrump. com. Guests can register for up to two tickets per mobile number per event. Registered ticket holders will receive an email with specific details from the

campaign prior to the start. *Tickets, however, do not guarantee admission. Admission is first come first served. •Expect Delays - Traffic jams is an understatement. Although the Convention Center is the site of the rally, enthusiastic crowds along with equally enthusiastic protesters will be everywhere. •Arrive early - The official start time of the rally is 7pm, however doors open at 3pm. The earlier you go the more likely you are to get inside and avoid what is expected to be a mob scene. This is not the kind of event you can show up to an hour or two in advance. In order to get seats, it is advised to arrive by noon. Things are

scheduled to wrap up by 9 p.m., though the president has been known to go long in many of his rallies. •Protests - most notably the " Trump: You Are Not Welcome Here" rally organized by Cape May County Indivisible and co-host by a number of other organizations from the tri-state area. Another protest you will likely see is "Defeat Trump and Van Drew Too" organized by the Democratic Party of both Cape May and Atlantic County. •Parking - Where your walking shoes! Expect to walk minimally two blocks and likely much furthur. •Security - Expect all bags to be checked thoroughly. The level of security will be similar to what you see at the airport. In the case of rain, umbrellas will most likely not be permitted inside.

9

One Funny Mother Comes to South Jersey By Cindy Christy Fertsch

'I

'm sorry I am running late. I blame my kids." That was the text Dena Blizzard sent me as I awaited to meet with her at Barista's in Linwood earlier this week. I knew at that moment it wasn't an act, she really was one funny mother! Dena meandered in shortly afterwards, along with her three children Dean (20), Jacqueline (17) and Brooke (15). The family recently purchased a second home in the area and is completing renovations. Dena Blizzard does it all. She is a standup comedian, owner and operator of a nonprofit organization. She created a board game, hosts "Tipsy Tuesdays," invented a new holiday (Wine-o-ween) and has had two vid-

eos go wildly viral. In fact many probably recognize her as the "Target mom" for her hilarious video of two business ventures, along with a rant with 150 million views. Dena was crowned Miss New Jersey in 1995. She went on to graduate from Rowan University and pursued a Master's Degree in Gereology. "It was during this time, I realized that I could make people laugh, yet it was 7 years before I began stand up comedy," shares Blizzard. "It was a stand up comedy class that helped me to actually begin doing

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standup. I pull from life, motherhood and the things that bother me. Then I put a funny slant on it." Since then Blizzard has written and starred in her own Off Broadway show, created “Chardonnay Go, The Board Game for Wine Lovers, Moms and Other Shameless People” and was a LIVE with Kelly Top 5 Co-Host Winner. She has served as the Official Host of the Miss America Pageant Preliminaries for 10 years, as co-host with Anderson Cooper and has had her own talk show on NJ 101.5 FM. In her free time, Dena enjoys making videos about wine and laughing ’til her face hurts. She drinks in her living room every week on her Facebook LIVE show, Tipsy Tuesday, with thousands of fans worldwide. She hates doing dishes and enjoys eating gluten-free lasagna. What's next for Dena Blizzard? She plans to write a sitcom. This Spring she will be attending writing classes at New York University. In perfect Dena style, she plans to join a sorority, don an NYU sweetheart and walk in the graduation ceremony. Part of the renovations in her beach home include a writing room. Blizzard will also be making a stand up appearance at the Seaview in Galloway in Galloway in March as part of FACES 4 AUTISM 's Stand Up for Autism fundraiser

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Exercise for your mind and body Shore Fit By Bonnie Miller

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ost people exercise exclusively for the physical benefits but the benefits above the neck are just as important! It goes far beyond a physically fit physique. The results of regular physical activity have significant mental and social benefits. We don’t just get “pumped,” we feel “pumped!" Exercise makes you feel better from top to bottom. During exercise the brain releases those “feel good” chemicals throughout the body. They are called endorphins. These endorphins interact with the receptors in your brain, triggering a positive feeling in the body! Those are mood boosters that create feelings of happiness, hence the term, “Runner's High." This is a term coined long ago that describes that “healthy high” from a vigorous workout. Exercise can help combat the symptoms of depression and anxiety. If your body feels better so does your mind. They go hand in hand. How long

Bonnie Miller poses with her 30/30 class (30 minutes Spin and 30 minutes Strength Training) at the Ocean City Fitness and Aquatic Center does it take to feel the effects? It takes approximately 5-10 minutes of aerobic exercise to reduce stress. The simple act of focusing on ourselves via exercise gives us a break from current worries and concerns. Just put it on the shelf and take the time to reboot. Let’s face it, we are our own worst enemies. We need to be good to ourselves mentally and throw that damaging self talk out the window. Isn’t it inspiring to know that everyone can reap some serious mental ben-

efits by simply making time to exercise, regardless of age or fitness level. I teach a lot of different types of exercise classes with participants at various fitness levels. I do believe that my target group of water exercise participants gain tremendous amounts of social benefits by simply being in a group setting. They are an extremely social group that keeps moving so who can argue with that? What I’m trying to say is that it doesn’t matter if your a marathon runner, gym rat or mall walker, that “happy buzz” is

there for the taking. As we age, our brains also get a little hazy. A cognitive decline begins around 45 years of age. Working out boosts the chemicals in the brain that support memory retention and learning. Exercise brain based power isn’t just for kids. We all know that kids need physical education and recess. Adults need it too! Adults need physical activity, so carve out that time to workout and give your mind some freedom. Take a bike ride, walk the nature path, go for a swim, do what makes you feel good! On a very basic level, physical fitness can boost our self esteem and promote a positive self image. Confidence levels can soar. Exercise not only keeps your body healthy but your mind healthy too. Working out on a regular basis creates self discipline, dedication and determination, the three D’s! A sweat producing workout always makes me feel in control, empowered and ready to take on whatever comes my way. Bonnie Miller is certified fitness instructor at the Ocean City Aquatic and Fitness Center and the JCC in Margate. She is a mom of three and resides Somers Point.

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Sulfites In Our Food By Nancy Adler

S

ulfites are chemicals that are primarily used as preservatives in foods, drinks and some medications. They can also be found naturally in some foods like grapes and aged cheeses. Sulfites are added to foods like dried fruit to delay browning and wine to prevent spoilage caused by bacteria. From what I’m seeing in my practice, most people can tolerate the sulfites found in foods and beverages, but some people are sensitive to these chemicals. Sulfite sensitivity is most common in people with asthma, though people without asthma can be intolerant to sulfites as well. Common symptoms of sulfite sensitivity include hives, swelling of the skin, stuffy nose, hypotension, flushing, diarrhea, wheezing and coughing. Sulfites can even cause airway constriction in asthmatic patients with sulfite sensitivity, and, in severe cases, it can lead to life-threatening reactions. Examples of foods that may contain sulfites include : Dried fruit, Wine, Apple cider, Canned vegetables , Pickled foods, Condiments, Potato chips, Beer, Tea and Baked goods. Sulfites describe a family of food additives with names like sodium or potassium bisulfite, sodium or potassium sulfite, and sulphur dioxide. They’re used as a preservative to prevent bacterial fermentation and spoilage – most famously in wines so your merlot doesn’t turn to vinegar before you are able to enjoy it. But many other foods can contain sulfites as well – from fresh grapes, dried fruit, shelf-stable lemon and lime juices and sriracha sauce to frozen foods, including potato products, mushrooms, doughs and seafood. The Food and Drug Administration’s food labeling regulations mandate that any food containing sulfites include this information on

the label, either in the ingredient list or in a special allergen disclosure statement that the food “contains Sulfites. “ For the majority of people, sulfites don’t pose any issues. In fact, sulfite sensitivity is estimated to affect only about 1 percent of the general population, though it may be somewhat higher – up to 5 percent – among people who have asthma. Sulfite sensitivity can also develop later in life, so people may find themselves reacting to foods that they had previously tolerated. Experts aren’t entirely clear as to why certain people have adverse reactions to ingesting sulfites. Nor is there an objective clinical test to diagnose sulfite sensitivity. As such, sulfite sensitivity is generally diagnosed as the result of a thorough food and symptom history to help isolate the likely triggers. It's treated with a lifelong avoidance of sulfite-containing foods and medicines. Sulfite intolerance can be especially tricky to nail down, because sulfites are food additives – not foods themselves. Since many of us eat out with regularity, we lack visibility into the origin of ingredients used in our food and therefore don’t know whether they are likely to contain sulfites or not. I had one client , for example, who developed severe abdominal pain and diarrhea after having mushroom pizza at a leading restaurant chain – where the mushrooms were most likely to be frozen (please note, it wasn’t on his diet) – but he tolerated mushroom pizza from his local pizzeria just fine. At times, he thought he might just be allergic to mushrooms, but he couldn’t understand why he sometimes seemed to tolerate them and other times did not. Based on other observed adverse food reactions he had – including, most notably, to a shrimp pasta dish in wine sauce – we narrowed down sulfites as a likely culprit If you suspect seemingly random attacks of symptoms affecting your skin, digestive system or breathing may be related to a sulfite sensitivity, here are some tips: Be cautious with wine (and grape juice). All wine has some naturally occurring sulfites, but red wines in particular tend to have added sulfites as well. You may be

able to find a sulfite-free red wine in the organic section of your wine shop, but tolerance of even white wine or a sulfite-free red wine may not be given. Check all of your packaged foods to see whether they contain sulfites, which should be declared as part of the allergen statement. Be especially vigilant for condiments; dried fruits (including coconut used for baking, and granolas, which can contain dried fruits); preserved fruits like maraschino cherries and commercial pie fillings; and frozen foods. Look for dried fruits labeled “unsulphured;” they may be browner and less aesthetically pleasing than their brightly-hued, sulfite-containing counterparts, but they should be well-tolerated. Trader Joe’s sells some unsulphured dried fruit products, as do many health food stores. Be especially cautious when ordering potatoes, seafood and fruit toppings or fillings from large chain restaurants or lower-quality establishments, like diners, as they are more likely to use frozen or preserved ingredients, rather than fresh ingredients. If inactive ingredients aren’t listed on your prescription medications ask your pharmacist to help you verify that your meds are sulfite-free. Consider keeping a food and symptom journal to share with Your nutritionist , who can help you make sense of adverse food reactions that seem random – but may not be.

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Events & Happenings Holy Trinity Greek Winter Feast ▶Friday, ▶ January 24th – Sunday, January 26th Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 7004 Ridge Ave. Egg Harbor Township Holy Trinity’s Greek Winter Feast is back. Enjoy traditional Greek dancing, authentic Greek food and Homemade Greek pastries, plus live music during Saturday’s tavern evening, cooking demonstrations, live dancing and performances, children’s crafts, raffles, church tours and more. Greek Winter Feast opens Friday from 5-10pm, Saturday 12-11pm and Sunday from 12-8pm. Visit holytrinityeggharbor.com for more information or call 609-653-8092 ext. 5. Dine in or take out; delivery is also available. Photography Exhibit and Sale ▶Now ▶ – February 24th Atlantic County Historical Society 907 Shore Rd. Somers Point Four local artists, Lynn Wood, Kevin Little, Steve Jasiecki and Lori Jo Jamieson, will have their works on display at the Atlantic County Historical Society Museum. Regular museum hours are Wednesday – Saturday from 10am-3:30pm. Free parking is located behind the museum. Fourth Friday at Nashville North Studios ▶Friday, ▶ January 24th from 6-9pm 210 New Rd. Suite 8, Linwood Join Nashville North Studios for the first Fourth Friday of 2020. This month’s group

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exhibition is 2020/X0, a feature celebrating the New Year and Valentine’s Day. Our solo exhibitor is highly admired regional painter Doreen Khebzou. Music will be performed by Toni Teschner. This event is open to the public and donations are appreciated. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Judy or Jim at 609-5045044 or visit nashvillenorthstudios.com. Open Mic Night ▶Fridays ▶ from 7-10pm Enlightened Café 6414 Ventnor Ave. Ventnor Open Mic, Open Stage to all musicians looking to spread good vibes through music and community. Jam with others, or go solo. Bites + Brews ▶Saturday, ▶ January 25th from 2-6pm Ocean Casino Resort Tickets start at $20 Enjoy delicious samples from Pit Boss BBQ, Beer + Fish Fry, Topgolf Swing Suite, Zhen Bang Noodle & Sushi, Villain & Saint, Distrito, District Grille and Seaside Deli. Plus, taste brews from some of your favorite local and regional breweries. Purchase your wristband from the Ocean Box Office. Ticket grants access to food samplings and two beers. Plus, $3 beer specials. Must be 21 and over. Senior Dancing Society ▶Tuesdays ▶ at 7:30pm Somers Point Fire Co. 1 447 Bethel Rd. Admission is $10 and includes light

refreshments. There are some line dances along with social dances, and dance mixers each week. For more information and directions, contact Rita Voli at 609-408-3619. Back to Bay Ave. for Somers Mansion ▶Wednesday, ▶ January 29th from 6-8:30pm Gateway Playhouse 738 Bay Ave. Somers Point The Patriots for the Somers Mansion dedicated to the preservation and beautification of the Somers Mansion, will sponsor a concert this Wednesday at Gateway Playhouse. Tickets are only $25. A wine tasting and craft and microbrew tasting are included with admission from 6-7pm, followed by a concert by the Dane Anthony Band, playing all your favorites from Elvis to Motown. Presented by Tony Marts Presents. Purchase tickets online at gatewaybythebay.org. Hope One Atlantic County Outreach Event ▶Thursday, ▶ January 30th from 10am2pm Atlantic Ave. & MLK Blvd. Atlantic City Hope One Atlantic County, the Atlantic City Police Department and JFS are joining forces. Come out to our winter outreach event where there will be lunch donated by Tony Luke’s, blessing bags, and clothes giveaways. There will also be access to substance use/mental health treatment. Rotary Club of Ocean City-Upper Township Meeting ▶Thursday, ▶ January 30th at 6:30pm Clancy’s by the Bay 101 E. Maryland Ave. Somers Point The Rotary Club of Ocean City-Upper Township program will be Overseas Travel Program by Rotary Club member Ron Showers. To learn more about the OC-UT Rotary Club, contact President Jim Chadwick at 609-827-4670 or visit facebook.com/ oceancityuppertownshiprotary. NAPA Auto Parts Classic ▶Friday, ▶ January 31st at 7:30pm & Saturday, February 1st at 7pm Boardwalk Hall Tickets start at $15 Indoor Auto Racing returns to Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall with the annual NAPA Auto Parts Classic. The TQ Midget race cars will again headline the program with high speed excitement competing on a speedway set-up on the concrete floor of the arena. The wild and crazy Slingshots and dirty Champ Karts will make up the tripleheader program as they have in the past. Bowls of Hope Soup Cook-Off ▶Saturday, ▶ February 1st from 6-8pm Atlantic Christian School 391 Zion Rd. Egg Harbor Township Enjoy tasting delicious signature soups from popular South Jersey restaurants and vote for your favorite. Now in its 7th year, this fun, community event benefits the Atlantic Christian School and Atlantic City Rescue Mission. Bring a can of soup or other non-perishable food items to support the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. A

student Talent Show and Silent Auction will also be held during the Cook-Off. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students and $5 for children ages 6-10. Five and under are free. Purchase tickets online at acseht.org. Green Thumb Garden Club Meeting ▶Tuesday, ▶ February 4th at 7pm Somers Point Senior Center Massachusetts Ave. & Ambler Rd. The Green Thumb Garden Club of Somers Point will meet on Tuesday, February 4th. Gregg Aprill, owner of Leaming’s Run, will present his program “Gardening Without Work!” Our bus trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show is March 5th. $70 includes bus, driver tip and entry cost. Leaving from the Kmart parking lot. All are welcome; for more information, call Betty at 609-2264362 or Rosie at 609-214-6967. What You Need to Know about Heart and Vascular Health ▶Tuesday, ▶ February 11th at 10am Greate Bay Country Club 901 Somers Point-Mays Landing Rd. Somers Point Presentations from cardiovascular experts, each followed by a Q&A session. Guests will enjoy a continental breakfast, coffee and tea, giveaways and an opportunity to have their heart health questions answered. To RSVP, contact Jessica Giles at jgiles@shorephysiciansgroup.com or call 609-653-3986.

Concerts and Headliners

Marc Anthony Live: Opus Tour 2020 ▶Saturday, ▶ January 25th at 8pm Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena Two-time Grammy Award and six-time Latin Grammy Award winner Marc Anthony has sold more than 12 million albums worldwide. See him live at Hard Rock this Saturday. AC Comedy Club: Chris Distefano ▶Saturday, ▶ January 25th at 8pm Celebrity Theatre at The Claridge Hotel Tickets start at $34 Ladies of the 80’s ▶Saturday, ▶ February 1st at 8pm Tropicana Showroom Tickets start at $35 Ladies of the 80s featuring Taylor Dance, Jody Watley and Lisa Lisa will perform at the Tropicana Showroom. Sugar Ray ▶Friday, ▶ February 7th at 8pm Sound Waves at Hard Rock Tickets start at $34 Dance Across America: Studio ’94 Tour ▶Saturday, ▶ February 8th at 8pm Tropicana Showroom Tickets start at $30 With thirty Billboard Top 10 Dance hits and 200 million records sold combined, the Dance Across America: Studio ’94 Tour features the most iconic dance artists of the 90’s. Demitri Martin: Wandering Mind Tour ▶Saturday, ▶ February 8th at 8pm Sound Waves at Hard Rock Tickets start at $29

JANUARY 23, 2020

Community Events

Teen Dungeons and Dragons ▶Saturdays ▶ from 9:30am-5pm Atlantic County Library Egg Harbor Township 1 Swift Dr. Open to teens and young adults. Run your own Dungeons & Dragons game with supplies and snacks provided by the library. Saturday Morning Stories ▶Saturday, ▶ January 25th at 10am Atlantic County Library Mays Landing 40 Farragut Ave. Recommended for ages 1-4. Registration requested. Enjoy stories, songs and movements designated to encourage early literacy skills, simple crafts and other fun activities. Kids DIY ▶Saturday, ▶ January 25th at 12pm Atlantic County Library Galloway 306 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd. Open to ages 9-12. Registration required. Join Miss Shagufta for an hour do-it-yourself project that you will make and take home. Checkmates Chess Club ▶Saturdays ▶ from 12-4:30pm Atlantic County Library Ventnor 6500 Atlantic Ave. Exercise your mind. We welcome all to the challenge of playing a friendly game of chess with others. Photography Classes for Adults ▶Saturday, ▶ January 25th & February 1st from 1-2:30pm Noyes Arts Garage 2200 Fairmount Ave. Atlantic City Tying in with the Noyes Museum’s RAW 2020 photography exhibition, a series of 2 free beginner photography classes will take place with professional photographer Nastassia Davis. Topics covered will be lighting, still lifes and portraits. Register for free online at noyesmuseum.eventbrite.com. LEGO Club ▶Saturday, ▶ January 25th from 2-4pm Atlantic County Library Galloway 306 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd.

Suggested for ages 6 and older. Gather with other LEGO lovers to build something and share with other engineers. We supply the LEGOs, you supply the imagination and fun. An Afternoon of Guitar with Frank Tucci ▶Saturday, ▶ January 25th at 2:30pm Atlantic County Library Ventnor 6500 Atlantic Ave. Suggested for adults. If you like guitar music, please stop by for an afternoon concert with local guitarist and instructor Frank Tucci. This concert will feature music from the American songbook. New Year, New You: A Transformational Wellness Series ▶Mondays ▶ from 6:30-8:30pm Stockton University Atlantic City 3711 Atlantic Ave. The New Year is a time of new energy, growth and action. This series of classes, led by Kathy Smith, will leave you feeling refreshed physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Pre-registration is required; $35 per session, or $135 for 4 weeks. Call 609-652-4227 or visit stockton.edu/continuing-studies. Gathering Wool ▶Tuesdays ▶ at 10am Atlantic County Library Ventnor 6500 Atlantic Ave. Open to adults. All levels of experience welcome. STEM: Lava Lamp ▶Tuesday, ▶ January 28th at 3:30pm Atlantic County Library Brigantine 201 15th St. S Open to all ages. Registration requested. See why oil and water don’t mix in our DIY lava lamp. Libraries are a great place to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and let creativity come alive. Young Adult Stress Relief Group ▶Tuesdays ▶ at 4:30pm Stockton Campus Center Meeting Room 2 101 Vera King Farris Dr. Galloway Students, non-students and “Twen-

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ty-Somethings” meet every Tuesday at Stockton University. Topics include common young adult issues, stress management, family problems, roommate issues and more. There is no cost to attend. Provided by the Mental Health Association of Atlantic County in partnership with The Wellness Center at Stockton University. For more information, call 609-652-3800 ext. 308 or e-mail jangelini@mahnj.org. Furry Buddies ▶Tuesday, ▶ January 28th at 6:30pm Atlantic County Library Galloway 306 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd. Suggested for ages 6-14. Registration requested, but drop-ins are welcome. Read a story to Cody, Erin or Freedom, therapy dogs who love sharing stories with children. Learn about the benefits of reading aloud to a therapy dog. Anxiety and Depression Support Group ▶Thursdays ▶ at 10am AtlantiCare Behavioral Health 120 S. White Horse Pike, Hammonton This peer-led group is offered to individuals seeking coping strategies, mutual support, self-care, wellness/recovery as well as discussion of relationships and other related topics. For more information, call 609-652-3800. Green Thursdays ▶Thursdays ▶ from 10:30am-12pm Atlantic County Library Brigantine 201 15th St. S Open to all. Registration requested. Enjoy powerful, environmental films during

our weekly green series of documentaries. Juice and snacks will be provided. Please advise staff of any food allergies. Welcome Warriors ▶Thursdays ▶ at 6pm Stockton University Academic Spine Building, F-Wing Corridor 101 Vera King Farris Dr. Galloway Welcome Warriors is an all-veterans meeting on topics such as employment, adjusting to civilian life, relationships/ family and more. For more information, call 609-652-3800 ext. 308 or jangelini@ mhanj.org. Love at First Stitch Needlecraft Group ▶Thursdays ▶ at 6:30pm Atlantic County Library Egg Harbor City 134 Philadelphia Ave. Open to adults and teens. If you crochet, knit or do any other type of needlecraft, this is your club. Learn and practice your craft in a fun, welcome environment. Classes in Art The Ventnor Cultural Arts Center is holding Classes in Art year-round. Workshops range in pottery, watercolor, oil & acrylics, pottery, pastels, jewelry making and mosaic. Classes are $20 each. Beginners welcome! Pre-registration is required. Call 609-823-7952 or visit ventnorarts.org for more information. If you would like your event included in this listing, please email shorelocalevents@gmail.com at least 2 weeks in advance.

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15

Sheet Pan Dinners By Marci Lutsky

I

am always searching for ways to make my weeknight dinner recipes quicker and tastier. If you think I’m going to preach yet again about the Instant Pot, I’m not going to. Instead, I’m going to let you in on one of my other favorite techniques for getting healthy food on the table quickly. Welcome to the world of sheet pan dinners. What is a sheet pan dinner? It basically means roasting everything for your meal on a pan in the oven. Here are five tips for perfecting your sheet pan dinner game. First, you want to make sure the ingredients are uniform in size as much as possible. Second, you want to add food in stages depending on how long it needs to cook. Meats and hearty vegetables like potatoes will need to cook longer than delicate vegetables like green beans, so they will all need to be added at different times. Third, don’t overcrowd ingredients or you will end up with steamed, mushy food. Fourth, make sure the pan is

lined with parchment paper to ensure that you don’t find yourself scraping food off of the bottom of the pan. Last, make sure your ingredients are coated in olive oil or a marinade so they don’t burn. If you search online for sheet pan dinners, you will undoubtedly pull up endless chicken recipes. Is it possible to make good vegetarian or seafood sheet pan dinners? Yes! One of my favorite recipes includes roasting gnocchi, Brussels sprouts, shallots and tomatoes that have been tossed

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with olive oil and lemon juice then topped with goat cheese and pine nuts. It doesn’t really get any easier (or tastier) than that. If you are a tofu fan, how about making a stir-fry without the stir fry pan? Roast tofu and broccoli in the oven and then pour a peanut sauce or marinade on top when it gets out of the oven. While we don’t eat meat in my house, we do love seafood and eat salmon weekly. My favorite method for preparing salmon is in a miso marinade. I typically roast salmon for 13 minutes so I will add potatoes to the pan for about 10 minutes before adding the salmon and asparagus. Everything gets seasoned differently but cooked on the same pan. Not only are sheet pan dinners so quick, but clean up is an absolute breeze with only having used one pan. Sheet pan dinners along with one-pot meals (see Tater Tot Veggie Casserole on my blog) and Instant Pot recipes have become major life savers. Our weeknight schedules are so hectic and will only get busier once lacrosse season starts this spring. I’m unwilling to sacrifice feeding my family healthy meals so I look for help anywhere I can find it. I would love to hear from you about your favorite sheet pan dinners and easy meals!

Marci Lutsky is a food blogger at Vegging at the Shore, www. veggingattheshore.com and can be reached at veggingattheshore@ gmail.com.

ROASTED GNOCCHI, BRUSSELS SPROUTS AND TOMATOES Hosting a holiday dinner can be stressful. First, you need to plan a menu that will meet everyone’s dietary needs. Second, you need to make sure your menu is balanced in terms of how long it’s going to take you to prepare everything. This recipe for roasted gnocchi, brussels sprouts and tomatoes is great for so many reasons. It’s vegetarian and will be pleasing to both vegetarians and meat-eaters. Also, it takes minutes to get in the oven and only involves one bowl. The taste is sensational and your guests will think you spent hours in the kitchen. It pairs great with Wente Vineyards wine, helping you to have an easy, stress-free holiday gathering! To start this recipe you toss together brussels sprouts, tomatoes, gnocchi (uncooked, that’s the beauty of this recipe), lemon juice, olive oil and seasoning. Spread that out on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cook for twenty minutes. It doesn’t get much easier than that. After it cools a bit, top it with some toasted pine nuts and crumbled goat cheese. I paired this dish with Wente Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc. Wente Vineyards has been producing handcrafted fine wines since 1883 and is currently owned and operated by a fifth generation winemaker. Their wines have received many awards including the recent Wine Enthusiast score of 90 points for the 2014 Wente Vineyards Morning Fog Chardonnay. Wente Vineyards wine will be the perfect complement to your thoughtfully prepared holiday meal and also makes a perfect hostess gift if you are invited to someone’s house. Go online to purchase wine so you are prepared this holiday season. Ingredients ●● 1 pound brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved or quartered depending on size ●● 2 cups grape tomatoes ●● 1 16 oz package shelf-stable gnocchi ●● 2 shallots, thinly sliced ●● juice of 1 lemon ●● 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil ●● 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt ●● 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper ●● 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts ●● 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese Instructions Preheat oven to 425. Toss together brussels sprouts through pepper. Spread on a parchment lined baking sheet. Cook for 25 minutes. Let cool slightly. Pour mixture into a bowl and top with toasted pine nuts and goat cheese.

JANUARY 23, 2020

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Marijuana: Is NJ about to go green? Commentary By Nick Leonetti

M

arijuana has been a contentious issue in our country for a relatively long time now and has not lost any of its steam. Not to say the medicinal benefits of cannabis haven’t been recognized since at least the nineteenth-century (it notably eased cholera symptoms and reduced nausea); however, there has been a palpable fear made prevalent when Americans have had to decide whether or not marijuana should be legalized. According the author, Eric Schlosser, the government played a more decisive role in marijuana use at the turn of the century. Simply put, around the time of the Mexican Revolution, xenophobia toward our southern neighbors flourished. Texans noticed that immigrants enjoyed the marijuana plant recreationally, surmising that it incited violence and misbehavior. This led to a state-by-state outlaw of the drug, which would eventually led to a national ban in 1937 via the Marihuana

Tax Act. The rest is history. Presently, Americans are still trying to decide whether or not marijuana should be legalized nation-wide, literally wracking their brains on the subject. Not being a partaker, myself (I never cared for it), I personally believe legalizing marijuana would be a huge help, specifically in regard to prison reform. The health benefits cannot be discounted, either. This all has not gone unnoticed by the state departments, and things are changing rapidly. Some more progressive-thinking states have already made all use of cannabis fully legal (Colorado, California, Washington, Nevada, and Illinois, just to name a few) and have seen very positive outcomes. Colorado, for example, the first state in the nation to try out this heady experiment, has seen arrest rates drop a ton and a healthy economy to boot. Nothing’s perfect, though, and there are some residents of Colorado who do find the drug becoming way too normalized. But what about our beautiful Garden State? Where do we fall into all of this? Are we ready to make this leap? Governor Phil Murphy believes we are more than ready to take the next step. As of November of last year, the governor has fully backed the legislation to legalize marijuana in New Jersey. Though, this wasn’t always the case – Mur-

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phy has stated before that decriminalizing marijuana would also essentially legalize drug dealing and black-market activity – the governor is more decisive now than he has ever been. One of the reasons he has changed his tune so recently is due mainly to low-level offences that are overwhelmingly and prevalently targeted at minorities. He has called this “wholly unacceptable.” New Jersey is slowly making a transition, testing the waters, so to speak. Dispensaries are popping up statewide like – ahem - weeds. More than 65,000 patients are participating in this program, and as of right now, there are eight dispensaries in the state, four of them right here in South Jersey thus far. The requirements to open a dispensary are extremely rigorous and must follow the strict operating procedures given by the New Jersey Department of Health. In other words, everything is legitimate with no nefarious behavior to be found. Murphy is a huge advocate of these programs, and one of the main reasons they are growing at such a rapid rate in the state of New Jersey. At this point, the latest dispensary, the Apothecarium, is set to open in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. This chain already has locations on the west coast and has seen a swelling amount of popularity. It should fit quite nicely into this new, burgeoning market. This issue is, sadly, a political one, but Governor Murphy is optimistic, and so am I. For too long have individuals, particularly black and brown males, been given too harsh a sentence due to marijuana use. The prison system is a failed one in many ways, and I do believe legalizing marijuana would be taking a strong step in the right direction for everyone especially the people who have received harsh convictions for minor offences solely due to marijuana possession. Earlier this month, in Gov. Murphy’s most recent State of the State address he laid out a refreshingly progressive agenda. Even though the governor has received some pretty harsh criticism from a few folks on

the other side of the isle (specifically Senate President Steve Sweeney in regard to taxing millionaires, another issue worthy of covering), I do believe Murphy’s head is in the right place at the right time. Murphy and legislative leaders are in full agreement on recreational marijuana use, and the subject will be up to NJ voters in November to make the final decision in the matter. If this vote passes, New Jersey would be the twelfth state to fully legalize marijuana. The question, what does this mean for us as Jersey residents? Well, I have already stated what it would do for prison reform. There are also the economic benefits to consider. The marijuana industry is a hugely profitable one. If commercialized, NJ could find itself reaping the benefits from a booming industry. Colorado and Washington have seen a positive impact on tax revenue, as well as job growth. As a result, we are looking at investment opportunities that could mean even more wealth and prosperity. The worry will always be there regarding cannabis. There are obviously some legitimate worries when discussing any control substance, but there are legitimate worries as far as alcohol goes too, which is a much more harmful and damaging when abused. We have to look at the bottom line here and whether or not the positives outweigh the negatives. This writer believes they do, but it’s not just up to me. In order to decide whether or not New Jersey wants to join the other states that are prospering from the legalization of marijuana, we need to vote on November 8. Will the Garden State allow the cannabis plant to flourish with its delicious tomatoes and blueberries, or will we let a golden opportunity go up in smoke?

Nick Leonetti is an adjunct professor at Stockton University. He is married to the poet Maria Provenzano. E-mail any questions regarding his writing at NLeonetti85@msn.com.

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Facing the Facebook dilemma Senior Moments by Charles P. Eberson

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ow, with that being said, I had another column practically finished for this issue and in my opinion, a pretty inspirational one but alas, recent events have demanded that it wait until another time. As I age, I am prone to express myself more directly and with less fear of reprisal. Maybe it is because I used to be more concerned what others might think or because I am more confident in the positions I am taking now but basically my filters are coming down. Those who have known me for any extended length of time know that I am not malicious, hateful, bigoted, sexist or any other negative labels that may be thrown my way. However, I do have a dark and sometimes inappropriate sense of humor that has been honed to a fine edge over the years. This rather endearing quality has been tolerated and even encouraged at times. Enter Facebook, the election and The March. When the “End of Times” comes, I don’t think it will be because of global warming, a nuclear holocaust or the crashing of the electric grid. I believe it will be due to the effects of social media and those who treat it like a 10 year old in a race car. Years ago, I held off opening a Facebook account. I wasn’t interested in where people were going to dinner or what

their pet cat was doing and I sure wasn’t narcissistic enough to think people were that interested in my life. I finally caved because I saw it as a viable outlet to promote my photography. I was also able to reach out to relatives and friends around the globe and catch up after so many years. Eventually, I was drinking the Facebook Kool Aid and accumulated friends, although selectively and sharing snippets of our family’s life. It all seemed harmless enough. Recently, I had quite enough of the political venom that was spewing forth so I jumped in with a dark, edgy and true to my style inappropriate post, put on my blast goggles and just waited. Had I been a talented artist, it would simply be the political cartoon we are so used to seeing. It didn’t take long. I got the usual “likes” and “smiley faces” and of course, the eye roll from my wife but also some disturbing reactions. One person in particular reposted only a portion of my post and framed it in such a way as to make it offensive specifically to women. This elicited exactly the fiery response she sought but what my original post

lacked. It gave her the platform and attention she so desperately craved and she used it as an opportunity to shine a light on her own troubled past. Another person I called a friend, used a tragedy that our family endured as a comparison to how people are feeling about the political climate in our country and then “unfriended” me. In conclusion, I have to say that this whole experience has been cathartic. I dodged a serious health bullet and now view Facebook and friends with a new clarity. My list of Facebook friends have been pared down to people who really matter, who have something meaningful to add to my life and I have jettisoned much of the ballast that can weigh me down. The air on this side is sweet and I breathe it in with great gulps. By the way, if you have any

photos of your cats I’m ready for them now. Charles Eberson has been in the newspaper business for over 25 years. He has worked as a writer, advertising executive, circulation manager and photographer. His photography can be viewed at charles-eberson. fineartamerica.com

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19

On Top of Spaghetti The Perfect Meatball

By Chef Joseph Massaglia

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henever Italians get together, I’ll bet you the conversation turns to food. And I’ll also bet that they’re either talking about their Nonna’s sauce or her meatballs, or both. And then, the discussion turns to whose Nonna makes the best sauce or meatballs. Am I right? But are meatballs really Italian? I’m sorry to disappoint all my Italian friends, but no. It’s generally assumed that the first meatballs originated in the Shandong province of China around 200 BC. Or, some theorize that they originated from a Persian dish called Kofta, which combines minced ground meat with rice and bulgur rolled into cigar-sized cylinders. But no one knows when or why that cylinder was rolled into a ball, but I’m sure glad it happened! Every meatball in every country is a bit different. Some are made with beef, some with pork or chicken or turkey, and a few use fish. Many add vegetables and rice while some have bread and eggs. Sometimes meatballs are fried, many are steamed, and many are even braised or simmered. And that’s just the start of it. Different spices and herbs are added depending on the country. And the size also varies, from very tiny to very large. Very early records of meatballs are from countries which were along

the trade routes from China to the West, and every country had their own version, just like today. The Spanish have albondigas; in Greece, fried meatballs are called keftédes; in the Middle East you’ll find kofta; in China look for wanzi; and then there are Swedish meatballs made famous by Ikea. Have you ever heard of porcupine meatballs? They are meatballs that include rice, and because the cooked rice sticks out of the meatball it looks like porcupine quills. And those are only a few of the many meatballs you can eat throughout the world. The meatballs I’m most familiar with are traditional Italian meatballs, known as polpettes, which date back to the ancient Roman empire in the 4th or 5th century. At that time, they were made from all varieties of meat and fish, including chicken and cuttlefish. Italian meatballs were generally made with cheaper cuts of meat that was ground (the invention of the meat grinder helped to grow the popularity of meatballs) and then combined with other ingredients, so they were very affordable. The majority of Italian immigrants who came to America in the late 19th and 20th century came from the poorer areas of southern Italy. The majority settled in the Northeast, and since they had very little money meatballs became a staple in their diets. And because canned tomatoes were very cheap, Italians began to make a tomato sauce with the meatballs. Spaghetti, also cheap, was then added to make the meal more substantial. Is there really a traditional Italian meatball? The answer again is

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no. Just listen to that Italian conversation I mentioned at the start and you’ll find that some Nonna’s use beef, some beef and pork, and some beef, pork and veal – and some use sausage. Bread or bread crumbs are added, and if breadcrumbs are used should they be plain, seasoned or panko? What is the correct number of eggs? And then what is the correct proportion of meat to eggs and bread? And how much liquid should be added to the bread or breadcrumbs? And what kind of liquid: water, broth or milk? And what seasonings and herbs should be included? I have a friend who adds ricotta cheese to her meatball mix, and I know one person who swears by sour cream as an ingredient to make his meatballs more tender. But wait – what is the correct meatball size? In Naples the ratio of bread and liquid is greater per pound of meat compared to the rest of Italy, which makes them very soft meatballs. They must be rolled quite large, about the size of tennis balls. Other meatballs are rolled very small to be included in lasagna or soup; they’re called polpettines. Many are rolled to be the size of golf balls…again, there is no one right size. At Mama Mia’s, our meatball recipe is my wife’s family recipe, and it includes beef and pork, white bread soaked in milk along with panko crumbs and lots of fresh herbs. Because they are so popular at the

restaurant, I had to go out and buy a commercial mixer so that we can make 60 pounds of meatballs at one time. We hand roll our meatballs, then bake them before simmering in our homemade marinara sauce. Finally, mark your calendar for March 9, a very important day. Every year National Meatball Day is celebrated on that day. So, however you like your meatballs – with sauce, with spaghetti, in a sub, in lasagna, in soup or at Ikea – be sure to enjoy them that day. Buon Appetito! * Open Seven Days a Week: The One and Only Original Mama Mia’s Restaurante in the Marmora Shopping Center. Dinner reservations suggested. 609-624-9322. www. mamamiasnj.com * Mama Mia’s now offers a Sunset Dinner, Noon to 5 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. $20 per person. Includes soup or salad, entrée, dessert and beverage.

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South Jersey Celebrates MLK Day with Day of Service By Stefen Klenk

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his past Monday, thousands in South Jersey spent their day volunteering, organizing and supporting community service projects, as part of a nationwide Day of Service for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The National Day

of Service started back in the 1990’s and has grown year-by-year. Over 900 students, alumni, faculty and community members gathered at Stockton University to participate in the school’s 16th Annual Day of Service. Some spent their day on-campus assisting in various community service projects, such as organizing books for Books Without Borders, creating

crafts for Active Minds and writing letters for Amnesty International. In Atlantic City, students assisted in a beach cleanup hosted by the Surfrider Foundation. Others gave their time collecting food and distributing warm clothes to families in need. Veronica Rowland, co-chairman of the MLK Day committee, says this event gives students a much-needed

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Stockton Students take part in a project for Active Minds, a nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness. jump start before the new semester. “They’re really excited to be engaged with the Stockton community and to connect with the greater community. In Ocean City, dozens gathered inside the Ocean City High School auditorium to hear the stories, songs and messages of the late Dr. King, while remembering his legacy. The MLK Community Service Awards were presented to several local residents. Among this year’s recipients include Brittany Battle, Takiya Wilson and Joshua Baker, all organizers of the annual Juneteenth Celebration. Awards were also given to New Jersey Assemblyman and former Ocean City Councilman Antwan McClellan,

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NJ Assemblyman Antwan McClellan, one of the recipients of Ocean City's MLK Service award

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Ocean City Intermediate School student, Kristiana Baur offers a reflection on Dr. King Organ-donor advocate and church leader Joseph Pratt, and Georgina Shanley, founder of Community Action Now and human rights advocate for Amnesty International. Reverend Gregory Johnson of Shiloh Baptist Church delivered an impactful message to attendees. Prior to reciting Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, he offered some important words, encouraging everyone to continue the fight to make our world a

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better place. “Stay in the fight, even if you have to weave and bob. We can’t give up. We’ve got a long way to go” The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s was born in Atlanta in 1929 and was a Baptist minister before becoming a prominent leader during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. On August 28, 1963, Dr. King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of Lincoln Memorial.

Dr. King was no stranger to our local area, having made several appearances in South Jersey during his lifetime, speaking at local churches and conventions. A famed 1956 photograph depicts King sunbathing on Chicken Bone Beach, near Michigan Ave. Dr. King was also a guest speaker at the 1958 Friends General Conference, held in June of that year. He would return to Atlantic City in 1964 for a rally outside

Steffen Klenk is a multimedia journalist. He resides in Ocean City and enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life.

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of Boardwalk Hall during the Democratic National Convention. Dr. Martin Luther King died on April 4, 1968, but his messages of freedom and equality for all still resonate to this day, and many live up to the legacy he has left for America.

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Little Anthony and the Imperials rock AC By Donald B. Kravitz

L

ittle Anthony and the Imperials performed in concert to a "sold out" Superstar Theater at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, Saturday, January 18, 2020. The group performed their "Golden Hits" to the pleasure of the audience who were singing along to every song. Little Anthony and the Imperials, formed in 1958 is an American doo-wop and rhythm and blues band who enjoyed great success in the late ‘50s and ‘60s with a string of chart hits including “Tears on My Pillow”, hailing from Brooklyn, New York, U.S. Donald B. Kravitz is an Entertainment & Special Events photographer for national publications including Getty Images & Miss America

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"The Mountaintop" - A Play Produced by and Starring EHC Local, Leonard Dozier

By Marc Berman

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he Mountaintop is a fictional account of the way that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spent his last night on earth, before his tragic assassination. I caught "The Mountaintop" at the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City on it's opening day, January 21st which just happened to be Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. A final performance in Atlantic City, before the play embarks on a national tour, is Friday January 24th. Dr. King had been in Memphis on behalf of sanitation workers. It was during this visit he delivered his “I've been to the Mountaintop� speech.The Mountaintop takes place entirely in room 306 of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis on April 3, 1968 the day before Dr. King's

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Photos by Marc Berman assassination. Dr. King checked in and was getting situated in his room when he called room service for coffee. A knock at the door reveals Camae, an attractive new female hotel employee. The interaction between these two is thought provoking, captivating and very emotional. Leonard Dozier who portrays Dr. King in his captivating performance will display a different side of the activist, minister and leader of the Civil Rights Movement. You will see this inspirational man as also vulnerable and flawed, all brought out by his conversations and interactions with Camae. The dialogue between the two becomes heated, flirtatious, somber and

at times playful. Camae eventually forces Dr. King to face his own mortality. Yes, Mountaintop is fictional, however as you watch the conversations that unfold you can't help but think that the conversations could have taken place. This very passionate and convincing performance by Leonard Dozier as Dr King and Torez Mosley as Camae, an opinionated maid and angelic figure, will keep you riveted for the entire hour and 45 minutes. A standing ovation by the entire audience followed the performance. Leonard Dozier is a South Jersey native and graduate of Pleasantville High School. When Dozier was a 10th grader at Pleasantville High School, his

principal,Noman King, asked him to recite Martin Luther King Jr.'s most-famous speech, "I Have a Dream," at an MLK commemoration service. Today, Dozier is a two-time Broadway-World Best Actor nominee and ADDY award-winning voice actor. He is the voice of the NFL, NBA and NASCAR. He stars as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a play he produced and the Associated Press calls as audacious as it is inventive....playwright Katori Hall keeps her audience guessing." Tickets are available at Eventbrite. com/themountiantop You can also visit www.LeonardDozier.com Marc Berman is a Former Talk Radio Host, Travel Photogrpaher and Director Of Marketing for Berman Travel. Prior to that, Marc owned Marc Berman Entertainment, a very successful DJ company in Philadelphia from 1978 thru 2004. Marc is a strong advocate for Atlantic City and that's where he and wife Susan live year round.

JANUARY 23, 2020

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Atlantic City Fashion Week Going Places with Dina Guzzardo

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he coveted Atlantic City Fashion Week returns February 5th-8th for its 16th season that brings highly regarded designers from the New Jersey area to The Showboat Hotel (801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City). This event is THE place to be for fashion enthusiasts and trend setters alike. ACFW even encourages fashions novices and disinterested spouses. So, everyone is most welcome, and the range of activities will ensure you are constantly looking at or doing something completely different. Twice a year the event displays various collections of high-end fashion in a show that rivals the likes of New York, Milan and Paris. There are several events planned over the 4 days in both Atlantic City and South Jersey featuring local designers, lecture series and Pop-Up

shops. The week kicks off on Wednesday 5th February where ACFW will be working closely with students from Rowan College to showcase their work from the past year in the school’s annual Fashion Show at the Burlington County campus (1 High Street, Mt Holly, NJ, 08060). Thursday is all about recognizing rising stars and new talent in the student showcase. ACFW prides themselves in their commitment to education and nurturing new talent by working with a selection of local high schools, secondary and trade schools, Colleges and Universities. They bring design students from across the region from various in-

stitutions such as ACIT, Stockton University, Brookda l e Co ll e ge, Moore College of Design and Lacey Township High School, to name a few. Students will be competing for a range of prizes and will have the honor of being judged by industry professionals and executives, undoubtedly generating valuable exposure as new talent looks to emerge in the fashion scene. Friday returns to the Showboat for a Ready to Wear and Children Designers showcase and will undoubtedly garner a great deal of attention as previous shows have featured designers from the hit TV series, Project Runway. Finally, Saturday culminates the week in a showcase of Couture and Avant Garde concepts which, in previous years, has boasted work from designers from Europe, Australia, South Africa and the Caribbean. There will be a wide variety of vendors featuring clothing and accessories at each event plus if you

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returning and even participating in the event. ‘I love it because when I first went a couple of years ago, I didn’t really know much about the fashion industry, I kind of got dragged along by my friends. The effort that these designers put into their work is just incredible and even if you don’t necessarily like fashion it is still just a great week with so many different elements to it’ said Maya who now regularly attends the show. The ACFW is produced by KingBee media, a company founded by the fashion powerhouse duo of Lamont and Jeana Bowling based out of New Brunswick, New Jersey. The couple have built a fashion empire which includes ACFW and fashionSTYLE Magazine, launched in 2005. Their local roots perhaps explain their decision to commit to give back to the local area by bringing in this fashion show which they want to allow the

respected people in the fashion industry on the east coast. Tickets for the show start at just $60 for general admission and can be purchased online at www.AtlanticCityFashionWeek.com. Think you have what it takes to walk the runway? Perhaps you want those VIP seats to make sure you have the best view? Or maybe you are from a magazine or website that wants to cover the event? Additional information about any of these can also be found on the ACFW website.

community to take full ownership of. ‘It’s not American Fashion Week, it’s not USA Fashion Week, we are not going to do like the pageants

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Extra Points with Pete By Pete Thompson

I

write this column both happy & sad. Happy because the biggest game of the NFL calendar is on the horizon as Super Bowl LIV is set for Miami between the San Francisco 49ers & the Kansas City Chiefs. Sad, because that means the NFL is done playing games that matter until next September…!!! Since I last wrote, the Eagles have made some front office changes are in need of some replacements. The Flyers have bounced back from their awful West Coast road trip by beating some quality opponents prior to the All-Star Game. The Sixers are adjusting to life without Joel Embiid for a while. A few key Phillies made an appearance in Cherry Hill the other night. Finally, the Winter sports season rolls on as one local boys coach hits a career milestone… From the entertainment world, I’ve seen two movies on my “to see” list. Also, Survivor comes back in a few weeks with an epic premise. As always though, we begin with sports, and my thoughts: ●● Let’s start with the Eagles as their scouting staff is down at the Senior

Over 50Years of Goodness

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Bowl in Mobile, Alabama to evaluate young talent before the draft. Of course, the Birds are still looking to hire an Offensive Coordinator and that’s proving to be more difficult than most would think as former Eagles QB and Kansas City quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka is the latest name NOT coming. The Birds reportedly did not make a formal request to KC to interview him, but heard through the grapevine that he wanted to stay on Andy Reid’s staff for another year. So, if you’re keeping score, that’s now the USC offensive coordinator Graham Harrell who has said “No”, along with Jim Caldwell, Kevin O’Connell and James Urban. One of the problems I think is whoever takes the job has to be comfortable with the fact that Doug Pederson will be the one calling the plays. They also have to be okay with the fact that even though Doug is loyal to his assistants, he has bosses to answer to, and those bosses fired Mike Groh. Another aspect of this is whoever gets hired, will have to have a good relationship with Carson Wentz. Wentz is still young and loves to get involved with game planning as well. This is a key hire. Of course, as big as that hire is, there are also openings for coaches on the

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first in half a season…! Former Flyer Craig Berube was back in Cherry Hill the other night in his capacity as Blues Head Coach to accept the “Team of the Year” award at the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association dinner. Now in its 116th year, big names like Babe Ruth, Muhammad Ali & Joe DiMaggio have been honored at the dinner. It was nice to see “Chief” honored. Current Flyers forward Sean Couturier was honored as well. The team just beat the Penguins 3-0 at home to go into the All-Star Break on a high note. When the Flyers are on, like wins over Washington, Boston, St. Louis & Pittsburgh, they not only look like a playoff team, they look like they could win a series…! But when they are off, like a poor 4-1 loss at home to Montreal, they look like the same old problems are rearing their ugly head. They play the Penguins again in Pittsburgh coming out of the break. Let’s hope the ten days off gives them a chance to reenergize and make a second half push for the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Sixers are dealing with no Joel Embiid these days. Embiid is still out after tearing ligaments in his left ring finger, but that’s given Ben Simmons a chance to shine. Simmons put up a career-high tying 34 points,

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defensive line, the wide receivers and the defensive backs. Those are critical assistant coaching jobs that need to be filled as well. Most of these coaches will probably come from the college ranks, and in fact, that’s probably a part of what the Birds are doing in Mobile as well. Evaluating players and also mingling with possible coaching replacements. My last word on the NFL is that I’m pulling for Andy Reid & the Chiefs. “Big Red” never got it done with the Eagles, but you have to respect the guy for the lengthy success he had in taking the Birds to multiple NFC East titles and NFC Championship games. Normally I’d root for the NFC team in the Super Bowl, but in this case, I have to root for both Andy Reid and the Chiefs organization as a whole. They haven’t won a Super Bowl since 1969…isn’t 50 years long enough for those loyal fans to wait…??? Speaking of long streaks without a championship, the Flyers last hoisted Lord Stanley’s Cup in 1975. 45 years is a long time to wait, and while I don’t think this is their year, never say never, right? The St. Louis Blues proved to the entire NHL last year that you don’t have to go worst to first from one season to the next, you can go worst to

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12 rebounds, 12 assists, five steals and two blocks in a 117-111 win at the Brooklyn Nets. It’s his fourth triple-double of the season, and the first time the Sixers have won back to back road games since the first week of the season. Of course, those are road wins at the Knicks and at the Nets, the TRUE road test is at Toronto. I’ll write about that result in my next column. The Phillies were well represented at the 116th Philadelphia Sports Writers Association banquet as catcher J.T. Realmuto was given the Most Outstanding Player award & new manager Joe Girardi was invited to speak as well. Girardi fired up the pro-Phillies crowd by letting the folks in the ballroom know that he understands the passion Philly fans have for their baseball team and he’s there to make sure his guys play the game the right way. I’m bullish on the Phillies and think Girardi, along with the additions of Zack Wheeler & Didi Gregorious will help them improve their win total next season. While we are on baseball, congratulations to Derek Jeter on being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Who was the writer who didn’t vote for Jeter…? What possible statement could THAT person be trying to make? I was also happy to see Larry Walker get in, as the former Expo & Rockies outfielder had a cannon of an arm and was always a threat with his bat. Plus, he was a heck of a nice guy to cover. I’ll never forget that clip in Montreal where he forgot the number of outs, so he caught the ball and gave it to a young fan in the stands down the right field line. The only problem was, it was only out number TWO…! So, Walker goes running back to the kid, gets the baseball, and fires it back into the infield. Hilarious…! Former Phillies pitcher Curt Shilling did NOT get in, but with 70% of the vote, you need 75% to get in, I think he will get in soon. Shilling seems to be getting punished for some of his controversial statements post baseball, and that’s a shame, because the Hall of Fame should be on numbers and integrity PERIOD. I mention integrity because this is another year where Roger Clemens & Barry Bonds got plenty of votes, but did NOT get in. I think there may be a day down the road where those guys, and guys like Sammy Sosa get in, but I don’t think the baseball writers & voters will do it while they are alive. The same with Pete Rose. Pete Rose DESERVES to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame for what he did on the baseball field. However, they continue to keep him out for what he did off it. In high school sports, as the Winter season rolls on, congrats to Atlantic City Boys coach Gene Allen, as he passes Bill Swain to become the

JANUARY 23, 2020

winningest coach in program history. Allen doesn’t get enough credit sometimes I think, as that program could never get over the hump before he came around, and now they have three state titles under his regime. Can he be a yeller and a screamer? Absolutely. But the ultimate compliment I’d like to give in these pages is that if I had a son, I’d like him to be coached by Gene Allen. Way to go coach…well deserved…! ●● I’ll close with a few items from the entertainment world as I saw not one, but TWO movies since I last wrote. My girlfriend’s son and I went to see “1917” in IMAX at the awesome Tilton Square Theater. It used to be called the Tilton 9, and if you haven’t been there since the renovation, you simply MUST check it out. Reclining & comfy seats in every regular theater. Gigantic seats & legroom in the IMAX theater. “1917” was directed by Sam Mendes and was all about World War I. It’s essentially one long tracking shot, and a cinematic masterpiece to see how he pulled it off. I’m not going to ruin anything plot-wise, except to highly recommend you see it. ●● Finally, if you know me, you know I am a HUGE fan of the TV reality show “Survivor”. I’ve watched every season since it premiered in the summer of 2000. Well, they are rewarding longtime fans like me as this next season coming up will be called “Winners at War”. That’s right, every single contestant will be a former Survivor winner. Boston Rob (and Amber), Sandra, Danni, Yul, Parvati, Ethan, Ben, Tyson and more will be featured in season 40. It debuts on Wednesday February 12th, but don’t miss “ Survivor at 40: Greatest Moments and Players” on CBS on February 5th, which features interviews with past players and series highlights. I can’t wait…!!! As always, don’t forget, you can listen to me on the radio each Saturday morning on 97.3 ESPN from 8-10 a.m. It’s the “Pete Thompson Show”, and I hope you’ll tune in & interact with me on the air. Pete has been the local "sports guy" at the Jersey Shore since 2004. After a decade with TV 40, he joined 97.3 ESPN radio to talk Eagles, Phillies, Sixers & Flyers with Mike Gill on "The SportsBash" each day from 2-6 p.m. Pete is proud to be a "voice" for the annual ShopRite LPGA Classic each June, and does emcee work for groups like the National Football Foundation, The Old Grad Awards, and The 200 Club of Atlantic County. You can hear Pete each Tuesday on 97.3 ESPN at 5:30p, and if you see him out & about in the community, he requests that you please say "Hi". Send comments to PBrooksT@aol.com

London Square Mall 201 Tilton Road, Northfield, NJ 08225 609-568-6659 31

Finding Winter Inspiration at Longwood Gardens

By Tammy Thornton

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anuary may feel like the least popular month for gardening. Smack in the middle of winter with temperatures in the 20’s, most of my thoughts are simply on trying to keep warm. After the enchantment of the holidays has faded, one can feel a bit of a letdown. But the optimistic ones among us can look at the new year with excitement—a time for a fresh start, a clean slate. For gardeners, it’s a time of dreaming and planning. Josephine Nuese, author of The Country Garden, wrote, “Anyone who thinks gardening begins in the spring and ends in the fall is missing the best part of the entire year; for gardening begins in January with the dream.” A trip to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania will give you plenty of inspiration to fill those gardening dreams and carry you through the winter slump.

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An angry dragon guards the indoor children’s garden

Conservatory From our South Jersey area, Longwood Gardens can be reached in under two hours and makes for a lovely winter day trip. Recently, my family and I were blessed with beautiful weather and decided to make the trek. Though we had missed the amazing Christmas displays when Longwood really shines, even in the dead of winter, we found plenty of sights to delight the senses. A well-planned garden relies on structure and form and doesn’t

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Tallandsia (air plants) are quite happy in the Conservatory. Photo credit: Julia Thornton

depend solely on blooms and color. filled the air. In the main section of Once everything is stripped away, the Conservatory, purple hanging one can see the true bones of the baskets rivaling the Hanging Gardens garden. The 1,077 - acre Longwood of Babylon hung over lush green grass Gardens proves that point with beauand heavy-laden fruit trees. What a fun surprise the children’s tiful winding strolls around ponds, garden was, with trickling water and over meadows, and through woodlands. While you can dream of the fountains everywhere, and even an roses and tulips yearning to bloom in angry dragon. As archways cascaded a few months, winterberry provides with flowers above, ferns and hydranpops of color along the way. The geas flourished below, and it was easy Italian Water Garden is covered and to think you were in the middle of a quiet, but its sculptured grandeur spring day instead of January. We still speaks volumes as you enjoyed wandering through peer over its balcony and the whimsical pathways imagine the fountains that were less crowded this time of year. of spring and summer. As we were drawn Words cannot down to the path contain all the along the pruned beautiful sights to see at Longwood littleleaf linden trees, Gardens. Our visit we were surprised by the first of many tree left us looking forward houses that were found to return for more. Like throughout the estate. all great gardens, every Young and old visitors found Chimes Tower visit is unique as the garden their inner child while running is constantly changing and up and down the tree house’s stairs, evolving. I definitely felt inspired to and viewing the lovely nearby pond make changes in my own winter and spring garden. from an eagle’s view window. A closer walk to the pond provided time for Currently, Longwood Gardens is reflection. featuring their Orchid Extravaganza Of course, you must make your running now through March 22nd. Speaking of orchids, you can even way to the Conservatory where the heated greenhouses laugh at winfind a little piece of South Jersey at ter. Once inside, a turn to the right Longwood Gardens. Waldor Orchids of Linwood provides orchids for pur(the East Conservatory) reveals an amazing green, living, vertical garden. chase at the Longwood Gardens retail Installed in 2010, the “Green Wall” flower shop. If you need a little inspiboasts of approximately 33,000 ration this winter, check out www. plants. According to the Longwood longwoodgardens.org for more inforGardens website, at 14 feet high and mation about exhibits and schedules. 300 feet long, the Green Wall is the largest in North America. Backtrack Tammy Thornton is a mom of to see the Main Conservatory where four, a substitute teacher, and your dreams become reality and wina Sunday school teacher. She ter is forgotten. When we visited the is passionate about gardening gardens, hints of Christmas lingered and cooking, and loves the as red poinsettias provided stunning beach. colors and the aroma of paperwhites

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Career law enforcement professional Joe “Tokyo Joe” O’Donoghue announces bid for Atlantic County Sheriff Republicans across Atlantic County pledge their support

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oe O’Donoghue announced his bid for Atlantic County Sheriff this morning during an appearance on the Hurley in the Morning radio show on Thursday January 23rd. “I’ve been a street cop all my life, policing is our family business and it’s time for me to get back to work. Returning our Sheriff’s office to a premier law enforcement agency is my top priority.” O’Donoghue said. O'Donoghue expanded on the shift the Atlantic County Sheriff’s office has made over the past two years. “Right now under its current leadership our Sheriff’s office is more of a social service agency than a tool to support local law enforcement. When I’m elected Sheriff we’ll get back to our core mission - securing the courts, and augmenting law enforcement across the 23 communities in Atlantic County” Several elected officials, law enforcement professionals and candidates called into the Hurley in the morning show to express their support. Former Chief of the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office Cliff Sudler weighed in with an endorsement of support for O’Donoghue “Joe is a deco-

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rated street cop with a record of accomplishment that’s unmatched by most here in Atlantic County. I could not be happier that he’s in this race and give him my full endorsement” Sudler said. O’Donoghue brings with him a broad resume of experience as a law enforcement professional having most recently served as a Sergeant with the New Jersey State Superior Court system. Prior to his assignment with the Courts O’Donoghue served 18 years with the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office. During his time as a law enforcement professional O’Donoghue received numerous awards and commendations including the medal of valor. In addition, O’Donoghue has held leadership positions in several police unions including PBA Locals 77 and 243 in Atlantic County. Law enforcement is a tradition in the O’Donoghue family with four of Joe’s children being sworn law enforcement officers serving in Atlantic County as well as one serving in the State of Florida. Joe resides in Egg Harbor Township and is presently engaged to his longtime girlfriend Marie Ortiz.

The Correct Mindset & Game Plan Is Critical When Buying or Selling A Property

By Gary Simmens Broker /Associate at Keller Williams Atlantic Shore Realtors

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indset is critical in most things in life and is certainly is very important in selling or buying a property. the process does not have to be stressful. If you approach the process properly, and prepare yourself from the start to take the right attitude towards the move, your results will be the best possible. Markets are always changing, and with my 40 years plus experience in real estate sales and management, I have seen over and over the difference how consumers approach the process for the best results, the ones that listen to the advice given by the realtors giving them the facts to make the best decisions, along with the right mindset, and understanding that it is a business transaction, and it often gets emotional at times, especially when you are selling a long time family home. Just like the recent WFC martial arts welterweight fight that was over in just 40 seconds with Connor McGregor quickly winning in the 1st round against a tough proven warrior, he had the right mindset and was prepared to win, he even sought help from well known international life coach/trainer Tony Robbins to help him stay focused to win now in 3 different weight classes. He sought help and listened to advise to achieve another title again. You do not need the greatness or title, you just need to get the best results! If you listen to good realtors, of what is really happening in the market now, whether your buying or selling and be prepared if your buying, by not just getting a pre-approval over the phone with a lender, but finish the process and get fully approved and submit all your paperwork to get a full approval subject to an appraisal process confirmation. Therefore, as a prepared approved buyer your in the drivers seat, competing against the good buys against the cash buyer and holding your ground in a possible bidding war, which happens sometimes on certain properties that are priced correctly in good desirable locations. If your selling a property, of course

your want to have the home show in the best possible way with less clutter and neutral decor and less personalization of items on the walls and against the walls too, as possible, so potential buyers can place their items and see themselves possibly living there. What`s that expression? " Less is MORE? Works very well, with selling homes. Sometimes families get transferred, or are going through a divorce process, or other reasons for scaling up to a bigger home or downsizing, preparing the home and pricing it correctly is critical for success. For over 3 decades I have see homes go on the market and not priced correctly, and sadly not prepared correctly to show in the best interest. Sometimes the preparation correction can be a quick fix, done in one day! I noticed hundreds of homes not prepared right or priced right, over the years, and they expire off the market for sale 6 months later, and sometimes listed for sale with 3 different realtors over 2.5 years and reducing price and sometimes still not really getting the results they need. The market is good now in South Jersey, and the interest rates and fabulous for buyers and consumer confidence is the best in years, so whether your buying or selling, listen to the advise of a good experienced realtor, it will usually save you money and time and stress. Technology has made the process easier for buyers and sellers, in many ways, but take the time to have a 10 to 15 minute face to face sit down of what is important to you in the process, make a short list upfront, of what`s important to you as a must have of items or in your purchase, and if selling, make a list of what you need to do before the home goes on the market and what to do when showings occur on your property. Remember, as a seller sometimes the first offer your receive may be your best offer your will ever get on your home, so have your mindset right along with great efficient preparation will make everything run smooth for you for top dollar results. The listing inventory is not crowded now, but will quickly increase with more competition soon in the Spring Market which starts quickly after the Superbowl. So if your if you thinking of selling, get your home on the market as soon as possible in proper showing form and price it correctly for your best financial results. Remember, listen to advise, correct your mindset and preparation is best for your success! Learn more at GarySimmens.com or join Facebook group: South Jersey Shore Living-Community and Real Estate Updates.

JANUARY 23, 2020

SUDOKU Solutions on page 38

THEME: SUPER BOWL ACROSS 1. Wheel stopper 6. "Stinging" Muhammad 9. Greek portico 13. She turned to stone, mythology 14. Loud noise 15. *Like many football fans 16. At full speed 17. VHS successor 18. Omit 19. *Miami ____ 21. *They won their first two Super Bowl appearances 23. Time division 24. Do like phoenix 25. "Swan Lake" steps 28. It often follows tooth or back 30. What oars do 35. Part of a jousting outfit 37. Dickens! 39. Donkey in Mexico 40. Glazier's unit 41. *Like Bud at a party 43. Farm structure 44. Fraternal letter 46. Miso bean 47. Make wet 48. Unmoved 50. Agitate 52. Tasseled hat 53. Colloquial approval 55. Opposite of paleo 57. *Tonowanda ____, shortest-lived team in NFL history 60. *Hard Rock ____ 64. In the buff 65. Rapscallion 67. It's common? 68. What time does 69. Lawyers' league 70. Load carrier 71. Extend credit 72. Nonclerical 73. Roommate annoyance

DOWN 1. Angler's enemy 2. Type of cotton fiber 3. Sound of pride 4. Do like a good citizen 5. Family subdivisions 6. Contributes 7. *54 8. Lemur from Madagascar 9. The only one 10. *Ronde to Tiki or Maurkice to Mike 11. *Gambling ____ 12. Pirate's "yes" 15. Echo 20. *Popular stadium snack 22. Nile reptile 24. Clergy house 25. *Halftime show sponsor 26. "Encore!" 27. *What halftime performer does 29. 43 Across residents 31. "That hurts!" 32. Measure of alcohol 33. Jagged, as a leaf's edge 34. *Halftime performer 36. Highway hauler 38. Boxer's last blow 42. House coat 45. Not seeing eye to eye 49. Tiny Tim's guitar 51. To the lowest degree, pl. 54. Relating to axis 56. Theater to Socrates 57. Leafy green 58. Similar 59. *Hall of Famers Ed or Andre 60. Neuter 61. Division word 62. ____ agreement 63. Bebe's mother 64. *Super Bowl owner 66. Wharton degree See Solution on Page 39

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have won six Super Bowls, the most of any team; the Dallas Cowboys, New land Patriots, and San Francisco 49ers have five victories each, while the Green Bay Packers and New k Giants have four Super Bowl championships. Fourteen other NFL franchises have won at least one Super Bowl. Find the cities!

Super Bowl Winning Cities

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PHILADELPHIA SEATTLE GREENBAY INDIANAPOLIS DALLAS CHICAGO OAKLAND

NEWENGLAND BALTIMORE NEWORLEANS TAMPABAY SANFRANCISCO MIAMI LOSANGELES

DENVER NEWYORK PITTSBURGH STLOUIS WASHINGTON KANSASCITY

Shore Local Trivia Test Your Local Knowledge

1. These native American indians were the original locals in the area: a) Cherokee b) Lenape c) Shawnee d) Absegami

9. Ospreys are the team of: a) Atlantic Cape Community College b) Egg Harbor Twp. High School c) Ocean City High School d) Stockton University

2. CRDA stands for: a) City Road Department of Atlantic City b) Cape Region Development Association c) College of Research, Design and Analysis d) Casino Reinvestment Development Authority

10. This town is “Cooler by a Mile”: a) Somers Point b) Ocean City c) Avalon d) Brigantine

3. This radio commercial said “All hands on deck, it’s the...”: a) Pirate b) Admiral c) Captain d) Skipper 4. The birthplace of The Jersey Devil: a) Somers Point b) Mays Landing c) Leeds Point d) Pomona 5. This Country Club is not located in the town it’s named after: a) Galloway b) Atlantic City c) Linwood d) Mays Landing 6. When did Hurricane Sandy hit NJ? a) 2012 b) 2010 c) 2014 d) 2009 7. At 12 miles long, it’s the longest local barrier island: a) Ocean City b) Absecon Island c) Sea Isle d) Brigantine

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JANUARY 23, 2020

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8. This casino called itself the 8th wonder of the world: a) Trump Taj Mahal b) Borgata c) Harrah’s d) The Claridge

11. The mascot of The Atlantic City Surf was?: a) Dino b) Squirt c) Splash d) Wally

12. What road can you find this pyramid church? a) Route 9 b) Tilton Road c) White Horse Pike d) Mill Road Answers: 1 - B, 2 - D, 3 - B, 4 - C, 5 - B, 6 - A, 7 - B, 8 - A, 9 - D, 10 - C, 11 - C, 12 - C All Correct - SURELY LOCAL. You’ve got sand in your toes and pines needles by your feet. 8 or 9 correct - SOLID LOCAL. You know your way around. 6 or 7 correct - SEMI LOCAL. Not born and raised, but not bad. 3 or 5 correct - NEWBIE. Take another exit. You should get around more. 0 to 2 correct - SHOOBIE – Welcome to South Jersey. The beach is that way.

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lease join The Atlantic City Branch of The NAACP, and The Montclair State University Center For Cooperative Media for an open town hall style discussion on The U.S Census 2020. Opening the night will be an address with information and encouragement to participate from The NAACP President Kaleem Shabazz. Following President Shabazz will be keynote speaker Patricia Williamson from The New Jersey Institute For Social Justice. The formal part of the program will end with questions and answers. The night will cap off with refreshments. The US Census takes place every 10 years. The numbers

of people from Atlantic City that responded to the last Census of 2010 were around the 40% mark. This program aims to improve those numbers. This event will also discuss new technology and dispel bad information and rumors. The jobs available through The U.S Census will also be discussed.

You can connect with Raymond Tyler via Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram @RaymondTyler2018.

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JANUARY 23, 2020

Postcards From The Past

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Northfield city hall and firehouse circa 1930s. The public library was in the mayors office, on the second floor. The building was demolished in 1970 and replaced with the current city hall building. Photo courtesy Northfield Historical Society.

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WORKING FOR YOU A Dedicated Top Agent with over 42 years of experience NJAR Distinguished Sales Club Honors Keller Williams Atlantic Shore Realtors

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Office: 609-484-9890 Direct line: 609-338-1339 cell Email: SimmensRealtor@gmail.com Website: www.GarySimmens.com

Join our Facebook group: “South Jersey Shore Living-Community & Real Estate Updates”.

Solution to page 36 puzzles Check yourself!

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Cell: 609-402-8669 Fax: 609-398-3050

Email: mac@gracerealty.com

JANUARY 23, 2020

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