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Opinion

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Moorestown's Ex-Vice Principal to Pitch Kicks to Sharks

A decade after leaving Moorestown, Gary Gagnon has an Earth-friendly solution to landfill waste on his mind—and his feet.

Moorestown viewers of ABC's Shark Tank will get a blast from the past when former Vice Principal Gary Gagnon makes an appearance this Friday night, pitching his one hundred percent recyclable shoes. Gagnon served in his leadership role with MHS from 1997 to 2001 before moving into the private sector in a variety of product development roles. Now in North Carolina, he's taking a passion project into the spotlight. Developed under the brand name REMYXX­™, the shoes are comprised of completely recyclable materials. While that doesn't mean you can toss them into the blue bucket with your curb pickup, it does mean that conscious consumers now have an option other than the trash can and landfill. "The mission is not only to deliver an enjoyable…

Monday, May 14, 2012

Mom Around Town

SpongeBob-Inspired Pineapple for Mother's Day, Who Could Ask for Anything More?

I hope you spent your Mother's Day enjoying your favorite people and things—that's what this mom did.

So, moms, did you get what you really wanted this year? A cleaning lady? Dinner out? Jewelry? Time to sleep? I did. I slept in, which is one of my favorite things to do and then was greeted with a coffee from Dunkin' Donuts, another one of my favorite things; and a SpongeBob-inspired pineapple filled with fruit salad. SpongeBob is one of my daughter’s favorite things and she came up with the pineapple idea and prepared it all by herself and it was quite tasty. My husband and daughters, my favorite people of all time, also made me a spinach and cheese omelet with bacon and rye toast, more of my favorite things. It was a perfect morning, not much more I could ask for. After the lovely breakfast I didn't cook, we went for a long walk. My …

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Frugal Family: Mother's Day Sales

Show mom how much she’s treasured but don’t spend a fortune.

Mother’s Day sales are kicking into high gear this week so get your shopping shoes on. TARGET and BEST BUY are your best bets for high-tech moms. You’ll find some great deals on phones, iPods, cameras and e-readers. BOSCOV’S and JC PENNEY are the hot spots for jewelry, clothes and beauty supplies to make mom sparkle. The jewels of a sale we’ve discovered include 50 percent off new styles for mom at FAMOUS FOOTWEAR; 40 percent off stamps, scrapbooking albums and paper-crafting supplies at JO-ANN Stores through May 12 and MICHAEL’S is celebrating Scrapbooking Month with 12x12 stock paper on sale for 20¢ each or 5 for $1. Pamper mom with her favorite items from BATH & BODY WORKS. Buy three Signature Collection bath gels and lotions and get …

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Patch O' Green

A 50-Year Energy Plan—Made Simple and Local

A leading energy guru lays out plans for the country's future fuels. Consider what it means in everyday terms, and how it affects the New Jerseyan.

Are you familiar with TED? It's the forum where leading thinkers hop on stage and offer their ideas and opinions, ranging from world-changing inventions to fascinating takes on human psychology to the more lighthearted though still inspiring forays into art and entertainment. The videos range from several minutes to twenty, a new one is released daily, and they very rarely fall short of riveting. The other night I endured a nearly half-hour long presentation by Amory Lovins, a long-time fixture in the energy world best known for the Hypercar, a super-light, super-strong concept vehicle that could revolutionize personal transportation. Lovins is, in fact, all about revolution—he's been proven to be about 20 years ahead of his time at …

Monday, May 7, 2012

What a Mom Really Wants for Mother's Day

The best Mother’s Day gifts are often free. They might just cost a little time.

Moms spend their days taking care of everyone else but on Sunday, May 13, it’s mom’s day. What makes a perfect Mother’s Day? Is it a big expensive gift? Or is it the sound of your children’s laughter or the quiet peacefulness that sets in when everything is as it should be? Here are my thoughts... You can’t go wrong with jewelry, and flowers aren’t so bad. A brunch or lunch or dinner out is sure to make mom glad. No running around, or decisions to make; a relaxing day takes the cake. Plan a day at the beach or a shopping spree or even a spa day, mom will be pleased. No dishes in the sink, no clothes on the floor. A clean house— who could ask for more? Let mom sleep in, make her breakfast in bed or give her the time to go to the gym instead…

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Patch O' Green

Clothing Swap an Exercise in Give and Take for Cinnaminson Woman

This Sunday, unload your unwanted apparel, come home with some that's new to you, and support a great cause all at once.

Most transactions come with a wee bit of waste, or as economists would call it, "market inefficiencies." In a retail setting, this includes spillage (theft), excess inventory that gets dumped—and even the unproductive time a clerk spends checking Facebook. It's all built in to the price of the good, but it means you as the customer are paying a little bit extra to compensate for those inefficiencies. But a women's clothing swap soon to be held in Riverton is challenging that notion. Main Street's Yogawood hosts the event this Sunday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Bring at least five pieces of clothing, shoes or accessories, drop them off at their appropriate areas and then start your (free) shopping! Leave with as many items as you choose. The…

Monday, April 30, 2012

Mom Around Town

NJ ASK: It's Only a Test

The NJ ASK test will hit New Jersey Public Schools in the next couple of weeks and will leave stressed out students, teachers, and administrators in its wake.

It’s testing season in New Jersey's public schools. Pencils are sharpened, test booklets securely wait to be opened and guidelines are being reviewed as schools gear up for the NJ ASK test. The standardized test will be given to students in grades three through eight over the next couple of weeks if some didn’t already start last week. I’m sure if you have children in the above mentioned grades, you are aware that the ASK is upon us. If you would like additional information regarding testing, check out the State of New Jersey Department of Education website. You will find loads of information and tips for both parents and students. ASK is an acronym for Assessment of Skills and Knowledge. This standardized test was designed to test student…

Gender Ali

2:48 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Whahhhh, stress on our children. Really? Why not do away with all testing in schools to de-stress our children? I can only imagine how the author of this piece was brought up. Probably surrounded by bubble wrap and pillows. This if life as we all know it, not a coddling system. School is stressful and so is going on a job interview, preparing for a presentation in work, stepping up to the plate …   more ›

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Patch O' Green

Cinnaminson Schools Fail the Green Ribbon Test

Seventy-eight schools in the US received a distinction for high marks in sustainability, but none nearby. Let's not let our schools get in the way of a green education.

Everyone knows that for a movement to be taken seriously, it needs a specially colored ribbon with which it's associated. And so, those that advocate for the greening of schools in America can rest easy. (Do I really have to tell you which color?) The US Department of Education has announced its inaugural crop of educational institutions that take environmentalism to the next level, while at the same time instilling it in the next generation. Seventy-eight schools nationwide made the cut, demonstrating mastery of energy conservation, and an overall strength in integrating green throughout the education process. Four schools from New Jersey received the Green Ribbon distinction: Bernards High School in Bernardsville, Midtown Community …

vincent3403

7:31 am on Sunday, April 29, 2012

BEFORE green, think CLEAN. The high school had its flea market on Saturday. We sat under the awning in front of the school. The underside of the awning's paint is peeling and breaking apart; if it's at all lead based that's a problem let alone an eyesore. I know the township can't afford to build a new high school but a powerwashing of the structure would do alot to make it look somewhat decent …   more ›

Poll: Are Kids Getting Priced Out of Baseball and Softball?

A New York Times article explores the era of the $250 baseball bat.

Have you bought a baseball glove for your Little Leaguer lately? Did you pay more than $100 for it? How about a $250 bat? A New York Times story headlined "Big Price Tags Attached to Even the Littlest Leagues," looks at the big business of equipping youngsters for participation in youth baseball and softball leagues, quoting those costs and more. "A batting helmet protects tiny heads for $39.99," the Times reports. "A pair of Nike Jordan Black Cat cleats will make your child fast and fashionable at $51.99 until he or she outgrows them." So what do you think? Has the cost of bats and gloves taken our kids too far from the simpler days of sandlot and playground ballgames? Or have you had better luck finding more modestly priced equipment for…

Tim Durkin

1:07 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012

While yes there are gloves, bats and spikes that run in that area of cost, there is more then enough options are lower prices. The problem I see with this generation and baseball/softball is they have far more options of things to do in spring, and baseball/softball season is over for most kids before school is out. When I was younger baseball was a summer sport, not late winter into spring sport…   more ›

Monday, April 23, 2012

Mom Around Town

Take Your Daughters and Sons To Work Day Is Thursday

It’s not just a day off from school; it’s a glimpse into the future.

Not just a day off from school, this Thursday, April 26, is the 20th annual Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day. The event was initially created for girls in 1993 by the Ms. Foundation. The intent was to help increase self-esteem in young girls while exposing them to future career options. Boys joined in on the fun in 2003. For the past 19 years, children all over the country have whistled off to work with a parent or mentor for the day to learn the tricks of their trade. According to the website, Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work, the purpose of the day is to empower children to plan for the future and realize the value of a good education. Some companies go all out and organize activities and programs for children who are visiting…

Frank Szymkowski

1:24 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012

our Son is coming with me to work. Can't wait :)   more ›

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