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2.  MANY MIND CREEK GREENWAY GETS PRIORITY DESIGNATION FOR ACQUISITION/RESTORATION

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ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ — Amidst the snowstorm on Thursday, December 5, the Many Mind Creek Greenway and Stream Corridor Protection Project received a prestigious vote of support and encouragement at the meeting of the NY/NJ Harbor Estuary Program (HEP) Habitat Workgroup at EPA offices in Manhattan. The Greenway and Trail project sponsored by the Atlantic Highlands Environmental Commission and the Mayor's Committee for Many Mind Creek (Lou Fligor, Chair) was nominated for a priority acquisition/restoration designation by Greg Remaud and Michael Stringer from the NY/NJ Baykeeper.

After a presentation by Michael Stringer and Jacqueline Royce and extensive questioning, the membership voted to give the project a priority ranking that provides a critical first step towards eligibility for funding resources. The HEP Habitat Workgroup includes representatives of the Army Corps of Engineers, the Port Authority, NYC Park System, EPA, NJDEP, NYDEP, and NOAA, NRDC, and others. The Powerpoint presentation showed photos of Earth Day and Green Sunday community awareness and advocacy events (seining and kayaking) in Atlantic Highlands, NJNG remediation activities, GIS maps, and text from the ecology information boxes. ../news/2002/1212/many_mind.htm  PRINT THIS ARTICLE

One of many Ecology Information Boxes found along the greenway

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ — The annual St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church Christmas musical program will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, December 15 at St. Agnes located at the corner of Center and Avenue C in Atlantic Highlands.

The program will feature the St. Agnes Church Adult and Children’s Choirs and the A Cappella Choir from Henry Hudson Regional School, Highlands.

The holiday program will be directed by G. Thomas Elliott, Navesink, musical director at both St. Agnes Church and Henry Hudson. Accompaniment will be provided by St. Agnes’ organist Eric P. Donoghue, Atlantic Highlands.

Admission is free but those attending are encouraged to bring donations of foodstuffs for the community food pantry. Plan on attending to find the peace and joy the Christmas season can bring you. For more information call St Agnes’ rectory at 732-291-0272.

RED BANK, NJ —  Holiday and community spirit will come together at Prown's on Broad Street in Red Bank on Sunday, December 15th. Reflecting the well-known store's "Prown's Has Everything" slogan, Prown's is sponsoring a one-day sale of bags of pine cones of assorted size and color for the holiday season. Part-time Prown's employee and member of Middletown scout #32, Ryan R. is donating his Sunday to coordinate and run the sale.

The special effort is on behalf of Meridian Adult Training Center, a workshop for developmentally disabled adults, which is part of ARC Monmouth. Workers at Meridian collected, colored and packaged the pine cones for holiday decorating. Ryan and Prown's are providing the marketplace for the product. The community is invited to provide holiday spirit.

According to Meridian director, Ms. Sherry Blackman, "Meridian strives throughout the year to develop and expand opportunities for the people who work here. We have a commercial cleaning service, a pick-up and deliver laundry service, and an aluminium recycling project. Anyone interested in these service can contact me at 732-389-5256. We very much appreciate Prown's and Ryan opening this new opportunity for fuller employment. We hope to make the pine cone sale an annual event in this area."

On the15th, net bags of pine cones will be sold at $3.00 per bag.

For additional information, please contact Patricia Stiedler, 732-747-0410.

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KEANSBURG, NJ —   Thanks to the generosity of Keansburg Municipal Attorney Dennis Collins and Borough Engineer Dave Hoder, Keansburg has it's first planted holiday tree in decades. A 25-foot Norway Spruce tree was planted in Friendship Park on Tuesday, December 10, 2002.

Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and dedication of this new tree will be on Monday, December 16, 2002 beginning at 6:30 PM at Friendship Park on the corner of Main Street and Frances Place. Participating in the family event will be the Joseph R. Bolger Middle School Band, the St. Ann's Bell Choir and local clergy will give prayers throughout the event. In addition, the Manning Place Fire House and Ladies Auxiliary will generously provide cookies and hot chocolate. Santa is also slated to make a guest appearance.

New Tree at Friendship Park

The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Keansburg wish to extend an invitation to all families to attend this annual celebration.

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MIDDLETOWN, NJ —  On January 7, 2003 at 3 PM, officials and educators from the school district, township committee, the county and the state, as well as all members of the Middletown Community, are invited to view the newly renovated  High School South and witness the special dedication of our state-of-the art TV studio in the memory of Judith L. Arendt. Judi Arendt, affectionately known as Middletown South's Mom, was a dedicated parent volunteer to the high school and the entire Middletown school district. She served as a past Parent Faculty Association President and spearheaded many programs at the school. She was elected to the Board of Education several years ago and died suddenly during her term last year. The TV dedication takes place on what would have been Mrs. Arendt's 50th birthday, and her family and friends will be present to celebrate in the realization of one of Judi's fondest accomplishments.

High School South, once a building in serious need of refurbishment, was given a long overdue face-lift with the referendum funds approved in 1996 and additionally in December of 2001. It now boasts state-of-the art science labs, a spectacular new media center and the state of the art TV studio, which should dramatically improve the transmission of information between the school district and the community. Most importantly, all the classrooms now have doors and walls, a necessity the school lacked for thirty years since the originally building was designed with an open classroom layout, a misbegotten architectural trend of the `1970s.

Principal Daniel J. Lane encourages members of the community to attend on January 7th stating, "This is an opportunity for the community to see the end product of their big financial and emotional commitment to this high school. We hope many will join us for this celebration of the new High School South."

Freeholder Narozanick is the freeholder-liaison to the MCADB.

FREEHOLD, NJ  —  Monmouth County Freeholder, Theodore J. Narozanick announced today that the County Health Department has successfully secured a $ 172,023. Domestic Preparedness Equipment Grant from the NJ Department of Law and Public Safety. "This grant will continue to enhance the County Health Department’s capabilities to respond to potential nuclear, chemical and biological events," said Narozanick. "And most of this equipment can also be used by first responders during routine responses to hazmat incidents."

"We continue to build upon our overall county wide resources for potential responses to very dangerous situations," said Lester Jargowsky, the County Public Health Coordinator. "The County Health Department Hazardous Materials Response Team has identified certain equipment to purchase with this grant that is unique, and it will significantly enhance our overall response capabilities and safety, "Jargowsky said.

"Protective equipment and supplies are very important," Jargowsky said. "However our most important resources are the men and women who volunteer and train to work on hazmat teams, medical support teams, security teams, communication teams and planning and logistic support teams amongst others." "This broad based teamwork in Monmouth County is most appreciated and meaningful," said Freeholder Narozanick.

KEYPORT, NJ — The Central Railroad of New Jersey, which operated between 1836 and 1976 served all of New Jersey, except Bergen and Passaic Counties, as well as the Pennsylvania coal fields in the Lehigh and Wyoming Valleys, has been captured in photos and several first hand account stories by former railroad employees in a book that has just been published by the Central RR of NJ Historical Society. Much of the Central Railroad is now part of NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Line and North Jersey Coast Line. Large portions beyond those lines have been abandoned.

The book chronicles the exciting development and operations of the railroad in text and photos; from it’s modest beginning in 1836 in downtown Elizabeth through the westward expansion to Plainfield in 1839, Somerville in 1842, Phillipsburg in 1852, through the coal fields of Pennsylvania to Jim Thorpe, Wilkes-Barre, and Scranton in 1871, and in the same year to Bridgeton, NJ. It also includes the branch lines into Morris County as well as the busy lines to the NJ seashore beginning at Atlantic Highlands and ending at Atlantic City. Most of the book has been written by former Central Railroad employees and officials, which gives a unique behind the scenes account of railroading in NJ and northeastern Pennsylvania.

The book is 64 pages and it’s size is 8 1/2 x 11 inches. On the covers are color photos of steam and diesel locomotives as well as a ferryboat in Jersey City terminal. Inside it has many photos of trains, maritime operations, and station and buildings. Other illustrations include an old map of the railroad, tickets, menus, and advertisements from the 1920’s, the heyday of the Central Railroad of New Jersey.

Price is $17.35, which includes first class mailing. A limited number of 200 deluxe, library quality, hard cover editions are available for $25.25 each. To get your copy of this book send your check payable to the CNJ Historical Society to: CNJ Historical Society; do Thomas Gallo; 55-A Fulton St.; Keyport, NJ 07735-1907.

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13.  HASSLE-FREE HOLIDAY TIPS FOR PARENTS !  PART 3 - VISITING

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A series by the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect

Before you go -- Plan Ahead…Shoppinghttp://www.ahherald.com.Visitinghttp://www.ahherald.com.Post Holiday

Holidays with babies or very young ones

How exciting!  Your first winter holiday season with a new member of the family!  You’re eager to show off your new baby or newly adopted child.  Whatever the circumstance, you feel like you will have to make this a very special holiday.  For first-time parents, you may have to forego some past practices in order to accommodate your new baby.  Depending on baby’s age, the weather conditions, and everyone’s overall health, you will have to gauge how careful to be.

Keep it simple for baby.  Baby is too young to know or care about gifts, Christmas trees, Santa Claus, or Menorahs, much less about meeting five aunts, three uncles, a brood of cousins, plus neighbors who only drop by during holidays.  They will be eager to coo over baby and want to hold or play with baby.  You must be kind but firm and restrict the touching, kissing and holding.  Your baby’s health and welfare comes first. When baby is older, the cousins can take turns holding him.  Use your judgment. 

If your baby is old enough to hold her head up and does not seem alarmed or uncomfortable around the new “strangers,” you can increase the interaction with certain people.  If baby seems frightened, stay back a bit from the relatives and comfort her in a quiet place.  Let baby gradually get used to having more than just mommy and daddy in his/her immediate universe.

Use standard calming practices if the holiday bustle becomes too much for baby.  Go to a quiet or empty room.  Hold baby close to you and slowly walk around the room or rock in place.  Take baby for a walk outside.  Lower noise and lights in the room.  This may help reduce your child’s stress over this new holiday experience. 

No Rough Play

Playing rough is never appropriate for babies or youngsters under two, because, like “shaking”, this can cause lasting damage.  When you or others play with young children, never bounce them or play rough with them.  Never toss them in the air or swing them around by their arms or legs.  Like shaking, these can cause lasting damage.  So don’t let Uncle Joe toss your little one around like he might do with older kids. 

Remember… young children have weak neck muscles, heavy heads, growing brains, and thin skulls.  Shaking, bouncing or tossing them around can cause blindness, loss of hearing, internal bleeding, paralysis, lasting brain damage, or death.  Children UNDER age 2 are most at risk.

Making Special Allowances for the Adopted Child

A newly adopted child will likely have stress, too.  They may expect the very best Christmas ever, because they have never experienced a good one.  Or they may have become so cynical and untrusting, that they will expect their holiday to crash to pieces at every turn.  It’s up to you, the adults, to keep these holiday worries to a minimum for all of you. 

It might be wise for you to facilitate or referee first meetings with relatives from afar who may be meeting your new child for the first time.  While your birth children may be used to Aunt Selma’s squooshy bearhugs, your adopted child may not trust such close contact with a “stranger.”  So you will need to gently temper Aunt Selma’s enthusiasm and let your child warm up to his newfound relatives gradually. 

Be Aware of Everyone’s Feelings

Don’t expect everyone to behave exactly the way you have dreamed it in your head.  Remember, with today’s non-traditional families and far-flung relatives, bringing everyone together for a big holiday visit is often more like the Holly Hunter movie “Home for the Holidays” than the happy final meal in the Dickens’ classic, “A Christmas Carol.”  Be prepared for discord and be ready to use some diversionary tactics or methods for calming down.  Be alert not to let younger children wander off alone.

For children who break the rules

• Have the child say what the problem is.  (“I want to play ball in the house and Mom says I can’t”)
• Have the child come up with as many solutions as possible.  At this point, the number of ideas is more important than how good the ideas are. (“I could play ball outside. If I just roll the ball on the floor, it won’t knock over the Christmas tree. Maybe I could do a puzzle instead. I could share the ball quietly with cousin Maya.”)
• Discuss solutions together and have the child choose which solution to try next time.  Be sure it is a solution you can both accept.  (“I will play ball outside.”)
• Try out the solution.
• Check the results.  If it works, great.  If not, start again.

Several important messages come across to children when you use this approach.  First, no problem is so great that you cannot solve it.  Second, you are responsible for your own behavior.  Third, it is not the child, but their behavior, which brings disapproval.

When adults lose their temper

• Find a way to help yourself calm down so that you do not do or say something you will be sorry for later.

• If your children are old enough to be left alone or if there is another adult with your children, go somewhere else until you calm down.

• Tell your children what you are doing.

• Take a walk.  Or take Uncle Roy out for a walk.

• Go to another room.

• Lock yourself in the bathroom.  Try to stay away no longer than five or ten minutes.

• When you come back to your children, calmly explain your feelings.

• Listen to music.

• Take a few deep breaths.

• Count backward from 10.

• Try to do something with your hands to keep them busy.  Cook something. Wash a counter. Draw. Write what you are feeling.

• Just scribble.

• To help yourself not say anything you will be sorry for later, chew gum.

• Sing.

• Put your hands up to your mouth or in your pockets.

REMEMBER:  What adults do always teaches children what to do.  If you lash out, your children will learn to do the same.  If you do lash out, apologize to your child.  “I’m sorry” teach them what to do if they offend others.  And if adults are unable to mask their feelings or past grudges, make it clear to them that it is inappropriate to air them or to negatively act upon them in front of the children.

Next week, AHHerald will present the final article Part 4 - Post-Holiday Stress

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ — December 11, 2002 -- Residents and staff at Portland Pointe, a senior affordable housing community here, will make the holidays brighter for families in Monmouth County by donating Staples and McDonalds gift certificates to  “180 Turning Lives Around,” a shelter, counseling, and advocacy agency for families.

PASTOR'S CORNER By Rev. Dr. George Hancock-Stefan Central Baptist Church Atlantic Highlands, NJ cbcbeacon@aol.com

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STORIES, MYTHS, AND TRUTH

During the height of Communism in Russia, the Russian Encyclopedia  mentioned the mythological existence of Jesus.  It meant that He did not exist, but was an invention of some people in Palestine.  They also talked about stories.  In the context where they were taught, stories were on the same level with fables, folkloric developments that no one would take as serious.  People were told about the fables of AESOP and the stories of the Gospels.

The writers of the Gospels were very meticulous in dispelling such interpretations.  When they presented the birth of Jesus Christ, they presented it in a historical context.  Luke made a number of historical remarks so that people would become aware that Jesus is a historical figure.  He is not a figment of anybody’s imagination.  The announcing of the birth of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus, took place in the days of Herod, king of Judaea.  People in Judaea and the Roman Empire knew Herod.  In setting up the events to the birth of Jesus Christ, Luke said “in those days a decree was issue by the Emperor Augustus for a registration to be made throughout the Roman world. This was the first registration of its kind; it took place when Quirinius was the governor of Syria.”  Three historical facts stand out - the reign of Emperor Augustus, the registration for taxation for the whole Roman Empire and the fact that Quirinius was the one who applied this edict in the area where Joseph and Mary lived.

A couple of years ago, one of my students in Church History was offended for the inclusion of Pontius Pilate in the Apostles’ Creed. (suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried…on the third day He rose from the dead).  He felt that in such a sacred confession, Pilate has no place.  From a historical point, from a point of placing the event of Christ’s suffering, crucifixion, death and resurrection into a historical context, the Patristic Fathers exercised great wisdom. 

Anyone who is looking seriously to find the truth, cannot deny the historical existence of Jesus Christ.  He was born among us, He lived among us, and He fulfilled the purpose of His coming in this world - to redeem us from our sins.  If His presence is undeniable in the annals of human history, then one also has to place His work at the same level.

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BODY POLITIC by Jack Archibald, Atlantic Highlands  Council President

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SANTA SIGHTINGS IN ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS

There have been sightings of Santa Claus on the roads of Atlantic Highlands these past few nights.  He is a noteworthy figure but if you look closely, its his helpers on the sleigh that are much more important to our town.  Not only are these helpers out in the holiday season, they are there for our town all year round.

These helpers are none other than members of our First Aid squad.  This volunteer department does not get enough recognition for their service to our community, but its not accolades they want- its members. Like most towns, the majority of our First Aid calls occur during the day when many of our volunteers are working. In the last year alone, our First Aid Squad responded to over 400 calls.  Not all of the calls can be considered critical but the First Aid squad doesn’t ask, they just respond.

Four hundred calls is a staggering number and the department needs additional members to continue providing top rate service.  With the leadership of the First Aid Squad, the borough is exploring alternatives to encourage and retain membership, but ultimately, the squad needs people that have the time to contribute. You don’t have to be the one administering mouth to mouth, just driving the ambulance will lighten the load.

The membership of the squad is devoted to their duty.  It is one of only three departments in Monmouth County that relies solely on private fund raising to sustain their daily operations. The borough makes a small donation to the squad each year, but its peanuts compared to the expenses that they incur.  Due to the generosity of Atlantic Highlands residents- and sound financial planning by the squad, a new ambulance may be in the department’s future.

But its not new equipment that turns these volunteers on. It is a genuine calling to help their neighbors in times of need.  Like any organization, some new faces are needed to help sustain the current members enthusiasm. If you missed the Santa sleigh, show up at the Emergency Services building and ask how you can help.  You are guaranteed a warm reception, and more importantly, you would be hard pressed to find a better use for your free time.   

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LEMONADE STAND By Carol Barbieri BarbieriCa@aol.com carolbarbieri.com

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DIVIDING THE HOLIDAYS

The “down” side of sharing our first Christmas together as husband and wife was trying to decide how we were going to divide the holidays and keep both of our families happy. 

“You’re coming here for Christmas, right?” my mother assumed. 

My mother-in-law was more understanding.  Her question was, “So, have you two decided where you’re going to have dinner on Christmas Day?”

Oh, boy.

No matter what we did, someone was bound to get their feelings hurt.

For some families, Christmas Eve is really the more important occasion.  If you’re Italian and Catholic, it’s the big Fish Night.  Instead of meatballs, shrimp gets thrown into the “gravy.”  Seafood salads of every sort adorn the table.  If you ate meat on Christmas Eve, you’d get excommunicated.

Presents are exchanged in many families on that night, too.  And decorating the tree is reserved for Christmas Eve.  And of course, there’s Midnight Mass.  Sometimes a “breakfast” followed at 2:00 a.m.

But, in my family, Christmas Day was the big day.  That’s when the relatives were invited and we had our special Christmas dinner.  It was a sacrilege to even think about opening a present until at least after sunrise.  So, for us to visit my family on Christmas Eve and spend Christmas Day with my husband’s parents made them feel like they were merely a tailgating party before the Big Game.

So, what to do when both of your families are hoping that you’ll chose them?

You eat two complete meals, that’s what you do.

I don’t know what possessed my husband and me to agree to an insane idea like eating two dinners on the same day, approximately four hours apart.  We actually believed that we could arrive at one house, eat appetizers, salad, lasagna, turkey, all the trimmings and dessert and then have an instant replay at the other house.  We figured that we’d “eat light,” during Dinner #1, control ourselves, pace ourselves, and only have a “taste” of dessert.  We’d surely have room for Dinner #2, if we exhibited restraint.

The problem is, both of our families are Italian.  There’s no such thing as controlling yourself at an Italian dinner.  First of all, the food is too good.  Secondly, the woman who prepared the food won’t let you stop at just a “taste” of anything on the table.  No amount of polite refusal will get you off the hook.  She’s going to get you to eat everything she wants you to eat, in the precise portions she thinks are appropriate, if she has to insert an IV tube into you to do it.

Why?  Because everything, and I mean everything has been made “from scratch” with her loving hands.  And it’s taken her weeks to do it.

She’d been soaking the baccala for days in the downstairs sink, and has been carefully changing the water every few hours so the salt will come out of it.  She made the lasagna the day before, but made the gravy, meatballs, sausage, bracciole, and neck bones three days ago.  Of course there were all the side dishes that required hours and hours of shopping, sautéing, boiling, baking and watching.  She bought the ingredients for the Christmas cookies in November and has been filling cookie tins since then.  You know all of this because she’s told you so, every time she’s stood over you with a serving dish and a spoon.  Every morsel of food that is spooned into your plate is accompanied by a dissertation-length speech containing the details of her enslavement to that dish.  There’s no arguing with her.  You have to eat everything she’s put on your plate.  You don’t argue with an Italian mother from Sicily who cooks with that kind of passion. 

And so, my husband and I would emerge from one house on the verge of vomiting, only to have to suffer through the same experience again.  Despite the pain, and our vow to put an end to the practice, we continued the ritual for the first few years of our marriage.  I suppose that, by the time a year went by, the memory of our gluttony (and subsequent nausea) had dimmed.  Some years we got lucky; one of our families would get invited somewhere.  If, say, my family was visiting on Thanksgiving, we’d have Christmas with them (or visa versa).  But, that wasn’t often.  Most of the time, family members visited them.  During the holidays, my husband and I put on ten pounds between us.

Then, we offered a suggestion; suppose we simply alternate years?  Suppose we had Christmas at one house one year, and at the other house the following year?  That made sense, but there was always confusion the next year about who went where the year before and whose turn it was to go to the other house.  Sometimes we had to take out last year’s pictures to prove that we were where we said we were. 

Then, when I had finally had it, and my culinary and entertaining skills had earned honor of having the holidays at our house, I simply invited them all over.  By that time, I think the Moms were getting a little tired of cooking anyway. 

I feel sorry for any newly married couples who are struggling over how they’re going to divide the holidays this year.  They may be wishing that they had married someone whose family resides in another country.  They may be considering moving out of state before next Christmas.  That may be wishing that Christmas was over.

But, consider the alternative; they could be spending the holidays alone, like a lot of other folks who won’t get invited anywhere this Christmas.  Or, while they’re eating two Christmas dinners, some people won’t even get to enjoy one. 

Looking back, I suppose I should have been more grateful that I had two families who wanted to share the holidays with me.  Much more grateful than I was.

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DEMOCRATICALLY YOURS by Joe Caliendo Middletown Township Democrat Party Chairman

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NOT EXACTLY A CHRISTMAS GREETING TO THE "RAT PACK"

Something special happened this November. For the first time in 15 years, a Democrat, Beverly Bova Scarano, came within 30 votes of being elected to the Middletown Township Committee. This achievement represents the latest in an ever-narrowing gap between Republican and Democratic candidates in Middletown. And, it has Republican big shots in this Township scared out of their wits.

There are some Republicans in Middletown that have made their fortunes off bilking the residents, and they know who they are, and I know for a fact that most of them read this column. As I was saying, there are Republican shysters pulling the strings of these currently elected Township Committee people as if the elected representatives of the residents were toy pawns. And, these Committee people buy into what their Republican bosses tell them to do because there’s something in it for them. Now, just what was in it for them isn’t going to come to light until a change of administration – so the bosses and the pawns are pretty frightened by what happened at the polls. In fact, if it wasn’t for the absentee voters, embattled and, in my opinion, deeply troubled Mayor Pat Parkinson would already be clearing out his locker from the Good Ol’ Guys and Gals Club.

I know there was fraud in the absentee votes, though, but that’s something the Democrats aren’t going to address at the present time.

Now, it is no secret that I have taken on, personally, in this column, the corrupt ways and dealings of some current Republican bosses and stooges. This isn’t a joke, folks; heaven help me I wish it was. But, everything I have said is, in fact, true. The reason I am not being sued is because it’s all true. Every single word. Check the archives of my column. Read for yourself.

Here’s what a certain serving GOP Middletown boss is doing about it. He has basically paid to put together a pack of political misfits and wannabe’s to try and hijack the Democratic Party in Middletown, fracture it, and take away the voice of the residents before the next election. There are alleged Democrats making noise about wanting to take over the “direction of the party.” Well, if they are going to serve their Middletown GOP Party bosses, they better do it before the next election, because with the gap closing to 30 votes in this Township, the GOP and their stooges don’t have much time before there’s a Democrat serving on the Committee. By the way, the next elected Middletown Committeeperson in this Township won’t bow to Red Bank in the morning and do whatever some half-baked Napoleon decides is the right thing, to line his pocket. I’m not saying any names today, that’s coming readers.

Anyway, this group of about three or four derelict Democratic political wannabes (a few of which aren’t even from Middletown) are getting together because, for one reason or another, they all have ambitions but are so damaged from their own misadventures over the years (or the past few weeks in some cases) that they don’t have a prayer of financing their political goals legitimately. So, they turned to the Devil himself, a rival political boss with an axe to grind, and crossed party lines to take out their own party in Middletown. Naturally, these people say the Democratic Party has “sold out.” I find that interesting since the Democratic Party in Middletown is closer to gaining office than in any time in the past 15 years and now – now – before the next election – there is a movement to “make a change.” That’s a coincidence. At the League of Municipalities, this GOP boss I’m referring to makes a sloppy mess out of himself getting drunk, then blabs about his “secret weapons” against the Middletown Democrats, because “these people can’t get a candidate elected or they’ll find out everything.”

Well, do your worst big shots, I don’t scare and neither do the men and women who are the real Democrats of this party and not a couple of GOP bootlickers some big shot converted by putting a couple bucks under their noses.

This is America, people, and being a Republican or a Democrat doesn’t man a thing. Government is about serving your Town and its residents in the best way you know how. Democrats and Republicans may have philosophical differences, but one thing both of them see eye to eye on is that elected officials should be good people. But, what we have in control of Middletown today, right now, aren’t Republicans – they’re a pack of rats getting fat by feeding off of tax money, pretending to be part of some legitimate party. They’re just afraid of the light of day, like most rats. And, as for the people working for them, you aren’t worth a word other than “stooge”. Not only is this party going to go on, but it’s going to win, no matter who tries to play little games. This isn’t about politics; it’s about doing what’s right in office.

RUMOR HAS IT that there’s going to be a “big Deal” made to try and disrupt the Middletown Democratic Party. Well, since no one is bringing me to court about anything, I guess that means that everything I’m saying is true and a bunch of bull is all you people have. Merry Christmas.

(Joseph Caliendo is a lifetime Middletown resident and businessman. He is also chairman of the Middletown Township Democratic Party.)

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GORDON BISHOP ON THE ISSUES by Gordon Bishop Syndicated Columnist

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LIBERALS TAX SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS !

Like the American Tax Revolution of 1776, today’s taxpayers must rise up and revolt against every politician in Congress who voted to tax both Social Security benefits and pensions.

Instead of a Boston Tea Party, taxpayers today can simply stop paying their income taxes because the federal income tax is illegal. It was never ratified by the states in 1913.

The federal government broke the law by enacting an income tax (the 16th Amendment).

Now is the time for taxpayers, especially every senior citizen, to vote out every politician who approved tax increases on Social Security and taxing our pensions.

Pensions are taxed if an individual or a couple exceed their income level.

The federal government has defined $48,000 for a couple as “rich.” Those who are retired and living on a pension and Social Security that exceeds $48,000 are forced to pay taxes.

This is a criminal act committed by a criminal government!

Social Security benefits and pensions should not be taxed. Seniors who worked their entire lives and retired at 62 or 65 should not have to pay taxes if their joint retirement funds exceed $48,000.

Seniors I know can barely get by on $48,000 a year. They have to pay the highest property tax in the nation, the highest auto insurance in the nation, the highest per pupil cost in the nation, and live in a state with the highest cost of living in the nation.

If seniors refuse to revolt, then they deserve to be taxed into poverty.

I am fed up with those who complain but never act.

Therefore, I hereby propose the creation of the U.S. Coalition Against Taxes on Social Security and Pensions – CAT-SSP.

You can begin now by responding to this syndicated column. You can write to me at this publication’s address, or e-mail me at GJBISHOP@AOL.COM.

Or you can phone me during the day at 732-275-1355, or 732-542-6290.

Every Revolution begins with only a handful of leaders with the guts and vision to stand up for justice.

We have an unjust, illegal federal government that’s out of control. The founders of our nation feared this would happen. That’s why they protected us with a Bill of Rights.
All we have to do is to use our Bill of Rights to take back our government of the people, for the people, by the people.

America is not a government of the politicians, for the politicians, by the politicians.

Our elected representatives are the problem.

We, the law-biding taxpayers/voters, are the solution.

If we don’t vote, we lose.

If we don’t act as a cohesive force, we lose.

If we just lie down and do nothing, we lose.

Get up, and fight for your rights!

Stop blaming the politicians. You elected and reelected them.

It’s your fault. You have no one to blame but yourself.

We allowed politicians to ruin our lives, our economy, our dream of freedom, liberty and opportunity.

Now we must act, together as a “free” people, to rid ourselves of the corruption destroying America and its citizens and families and institutions.

Unless, we the people, destroy this political rot, this terminal cancer, then America is doomed to die as a lawless society.

And lawless we have become – from Congress to the White House to the Supreme Court

God Bless America!

(Gordon Bishop is a 65-year-old writer who is paying taxes on his pension and Social Security benefits.)

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IT'S ELEMENTARY by Dr. Martha H. Wallauer Atlantic Highlands Superintendent of Schools email: docwall@ahes.k12.nj.us AHES Website: www.ahes.k12.nj.us

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ADOPT AN ATTITUDE

It’s that time of year when the spirit of giving is high, but the ability to give is limited. In our district, with the essential help of our PTO, we sponsor the annual Adopt-A-Family campaign. It is an opportunity for parents, students, and staff to help the less fortunate by donating money or time to shop for gifts for the holidays. It is followed by a gift wrapping session where volunteers meet in the gym and have a fun filled day of wrapping. To maintain anonymity, the Assistant Principal and I deliver the gifts.

The campaign was conceived to replace the traditional gift giving frenzy whereby parents and students attempt to find that perfect gift for the teacher, or school secretary, or even the Superintendent. Parents/students give a donation to the campaign in the name of a staff member instead. A simple concept that brings joy to many.

In many area churches and communities, similar campaigns are in progress with the hopes of brightening the holidays for the disadvantaged. Whether you donate time, energy, or money the impact that you can have on a child or a family is significant. So during this holiday season, my wish for everyone is to adopt an attitude. The attitude is: what you give has meaning.

P.S. If you would like to make a donation to our Adopt-A-Family campaign please call Debbie at 732-291-2020 ext. 201. All donations gratefully received.

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TRENTON TALK by Assemblyman Steve Corodemus (R) - 11th District AsmCorodemus@njleg.state.nj.us  www.corodemus.com Political Website www.njleg.state.nj.us/html/corodem.htm Legislative Website

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BILL FINDS CURRENT TRANSPORTATION METHODS OF PCB'S UNACCEPTABLE

I would like to highlight a very important bill that passed through the Assembly Environment Committee on December 10th that would help enforce guidelines developed by the United State's Environmental Protection Agency in 2000. Assembly Bill 2897, which I sponsored, would require the Department of Environmental Protection to find the current method of transportation and disposal of polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated material (PCB's) in the costal zone as inconsistent with the State's coastal management program.

It is imperative that as legislators we do everything in our power to ensure that these harmful toxins are kept away from our shores and the millions of people that frequent our beaches every year. The current methods of disposal were unacceptable, adopting and enforcing the federal standards will help improve and protect our natural resources.

The Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 gives states the right to determine if actions that are conducted by the federal government, or that require a federal license or permit, are consistent with the state's own federally approved coastal management program. Actions that may affect any land or water use or natural resource of the coastal zone may be reviewed by the state to determine if the proposed action is consistent with the state's coastal management program. The proposed actions may occur within or outside of the coastal zone as long as effects to the coastal zone may happen because of the actions.

Asm. Corodemus and Ocean Action Exec. Director Cindy Zipf at hearing

New Jersey has come a long way from the time when the state was known as the Ocean Dumping Capital of the world," stated Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action. "Today on remnant from that legacy still exists. The Historic Area Remediation Site (HARS) resulted from past inappropriate Environmental management."

The United States Environmental Protection Agency's ocean dumping guideline for PCB contaminated dredge spoils, established in September 2000, at 113 parts per billion, has served as a standard that protects the ocean environment, and is a benchmark for the safe placement of these materials. This bill would help implement and enforce that standard.

Both Clean Ocean Action and The Littoral Society support the passage of this bill. A 2897 passed through the Assembly Environment Committee with a vote of 6-0 and now waits to be considered by the General Assembly.

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WINDOWS ON RED BANK by Daniel Murphy, Jr. Danny's Steak House danssteaks@aol.com

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SPOTLIGHT ON KEANSBURG by Patrick Pecora Keansburg Councilman

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KEANSBURG INTRODUCES POLICE DIRECTOR ORDINANCE

At the last regular Borough Council meeting on 12/5 the Keansburg Borough Council introduced ordinance #1331 Creating the Office of Police Director. Within the ordinance it is stipulated that when the office of Chief of Police is filled the Police Director would serve as the policy maker for the police department and a consultant to the Public Safety Director. When the office of the Chief of Police is vacant, the Police Director would be fully responsible for the day to day operations of the entire department. Many towns are now moving to having a police director in charge of the police department instead of the traditional role of a Chief of Police. Those towns have found that this type of arrangement gives the police department more flexibility to meet the demands of a functional police department in today’s changing and challenging times. Just this past May for instance, Asbury Park filled the position of Police Director with a very qualified person formally with the prosecutors office, Louis Jordan. This ordinance was set down for a public hearing and possibly final action during the next regularly scheduled council meeting on Thursday 12/19 at 7 PM.

Additionally at the next meeting, the council may consider for final passage our borough’s budget for this year. This budget public hearing may be contingent upon hearing from the state as far as information on our aid application. This budget vote may have to be postponed to a future meeting. I feel I do not have to say much on the budget in the column this week having covered it in three of my previous articles. If anyone is interested on more specifics on our budget simply click the link on the top right of this page that says view archive. The archive is a collection of all the articles previously written for this column.

Next, I would like to talk about our towns Annual Holiday Tree lighting. It will take place on Monday 12/16/02 at 6:30 PM in Friendship Park. As always, we will have entertainment provided the St. Ann’s Bell Choir and Chorus and the combined Bolger school and High School bands. Additionally as always the ladies auxiliary of the Manning Place Fire Company will be providing cookies and hot drinks (coffee, tea or hot chocolate). I would like to thank all the volunteers of Manning Place and especially their ladies auxiliary for helping to make our tree lighting successful every year. We have asked all the local clergy to attend and participate in the ceremony. Lastly, I want to thank our borough attorney and our borough’s engineering firm for their generous donation of a live tree for this year’s tree lighting. The tree, a 25-foot tall Norway spruce has already been permanently planted on the site. Please try to help spread the word about the date and the time for the tree lighting by telling all of your friends and neighbors.

Upcoming Council Meetings

The last regularly scheduled council meeting for this year will be at borough hall on Thursday 12/19 at 7 PM. The meetings for the month of December have been moved up to the first and third Thursdays due to the fact that the fourth Thursday is 12/26 the day after Christmas.

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JOBPATH by Caroline Ceniza-Levine cenizalevine@yahoo.com  www.thinkasinc.com

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Series on What Recruiters Really Think

RESUMES

Candidates often ask: 

What do recruiters really focus on?
Will recruiters read more than one page?
Can I put personal info (volunteer work, interests, awards)?
What about format?  Do the dates go on the left or on the right?  What comes first – job title or company?

Recruiters have multiple, often conflicting opinions.  Going over one page or putting personal info are judgment calls.  Styles are subjective, so proper format is more a question of aesthetics than right or wrong.  While there are obviously good resumes (easy-to-read, error-free) and bad resumes (complicated, error-ridden), many different resumes are “good”, as long as they are succinct, understandable, and neat.

Some other helpful hints:

One-pagers are easiest to read and cheaper for you, so do everyone a favor and edit
Be as specific as possible.  Quantify results (e.g., sales increased by x%)
Typos are disastrous.  Don’t rely on spell-check because it won’t catch homonyms
Make your contact info noticeable.  Make it easy for people to get in touch with you!

Resumes, even the best, won’t in and of themselves get you a job.  Resumes can get you an interview, which is why they are important.  But they are not deal-breakers, so don’t put your search on hold while crafting that perfect resume.  I hate two-page resumes, but I will interview someone who has one, if they are exactly the profile I want.  (Of course, I spend less than a minute perusing a resume, so if the relevant info spills into the second page, I might miss it.)  The point:  recruiters spend very little time looking at resumes, so you want to get the basics across quickly.  No point in going for style points because recruiters have different styles.  Just the facts please.

Caroline Ceniza-Levine, a resident of Little Silver, currently recruits for a Fortune 500 publishing company, and has previously worked as an executive recruiter to the management consulting and financial services industries.  Caroline can be reached at 212-502-8593, via email at cenizalevine@yahoo.com, or at her website at www.thinkasinc.com.

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NO BULL FISHING REPORT by Jay Cosgrove of Bahr's Landing Marina and Restaurant Highlands, NJ  jay@bahrs.com http://www.bahrs.com

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REPORTS OF RIVER, BAY AND OCEAN FISHING

 

http://www.bahrs.com/weekfisrep.html
Visit Jay's No Bull Fishing Website

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SENIOR SAVVY by Bernice Roberts email - brob3@aol.com

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LEGALLY SPEAKING by Rich Marcolus, Esq. Levinson Axelrod Attorneys at Law

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ARBITRATION

Arbitration is a form of alternative dispute resolution whereby the parties agree to either one or three arbitrators to decide their case. Arbitration can also be mandatory as set by the Court after a lawsuit is filed. For example, all auto accident cases involving personal injury must go through a non-binding arbitration procedure whereby a Court appointed attorney decides the liability and value of the case. Each party has a thirty day period to reject the arbitrators decision.

Arbitrators however can be used as an alternative to a jury trial when the parties agree to hire a private arbitrator, either a retired Judge or an attorney to decide the liability and damages in the case. Generally, the parties agree to a low and high damage award that the arbitrator must follow. The reason for this procedure is to finalize a claim without the expenses and time of a jury trial. More and more cases are being arbitrated each year as the court calendars become more and more backlogged. There are no parameters for arbitrators so long as the parties agree to the ground rules.

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PHYSICIAN'S FORUM Alan Zaccaria, MD, FACS Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, President, Monmouth County Medical Society www.plasticsurgery_zaccaria.yourmd.com Aldozac@netzero.net

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INTRODUCTION TO FACIAL REJUVENATION

As we get older, our face goes through a natural aging process. The skin becomes more lax, the elasticity decreases, wrinkling becomes more prominent, and the facial musculature and structural tissues beneath the skin begin to sag. Although the aging process cannot be halted, there are a variety of procedures that can be done to reverse many of the changes.

Facial rejuvenation can be as simple as a skin resurfacing procedure, which involves treatments which remove the outer layers of the skin, promoting regeneration in a more orderly fashion. This includes chemical peels, laser resurfacing and dermabrasion. Each of these procedures removes the outer layer of skin to a variable degree and promotes an increase in elasticity and orderly collagen production as the skin rejuvenates. The skin becomes tighter and smoother. This can be a treatment for fine wrinkling or irregularities in skin color and texture. For the treatment of frownlines of the brow and forehead region, nothing beats botox. (I refer the readers to my previous column on the subject).

When non-surgical procedures are not enough to rejuvenate the face, there are a variety of cosmetic surgical procedures which can be done and are tailored to fit the patient's needs. For excess skin of the upper eyelids and bags under the eyes, a blepharoplasty or eyelid tuck can be done. This is a fairly simple surgical procedure which can reverse the "tired" look. For facial laxity with "jowling" and excess skin, a face lift can be done. This involves incisions in front of the ears with a tightening-up of the underlying muscles and structural tissues, and removal of excess skin. This can be combined with a neck lift which will tighten any loose neck skin and remove any neck bands which may exist. In a young patient, or if there is only a minimal amount of laxity, a mini-face lift can be done which is a much simpler procedure and has a much quicker recovery. Each of these procedures will be covered in greater detail in future columns.

Remember, any cosmetic surgical procedure should be done by a qualified and experienced, board certified plastic surgeon--but my readers already know that.

Alan Zaccaria, MD, FACS
180 White Road, Suite 102
Little Silver, NJ 07739
(732) 530-8565

Email- Aldozac@netzero.net
Website- www.plasticsurgery_zaccaria.yourmd.com

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BUFFLEHEAD BIRD ARE BACK IN THE BAY

Buffleheads (Charitonetta albeola) are, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful winter birds to see along the Jersey Shore, or in lakes and ponds near the shore. They are our smallest North American duck. Buffleheads are adorable, little waterfowl with puffy heads and chunky bodies. They are generally 13-16 inches long (males larger than females) with a tiny bill. Males have a white patch extending from eye to crown and females have a small white cheek patch. Buffleheads are sometimes mistaken for small hooded mergansers (another local bird commonly seen in New Jersey during the winter in swamps, streams, and lakes).

People living in Atlantic Highlands do not have to travel far to see these petite birds. Buffleheads can be viewed close by in Sandy Hook Bay or Raritan Bay. On Thanksgiving Day, I observed over 60 near Plum Island and in Spermacetti Cove. Over the last few weeks, I have seen many more in the Bayshore region, including near Leonardo Harbor, Wagner Creek, Pews Creek, Ware Creek, and at Conaskonk Point in Union Beach.

Due to the buffleheads' miniature size and silent personality, they can be difficult to notice, especially among larger birds, such as brant. Sizeable groups of birds can also be rare due to their territorial nature. Yet, once spotted, buffleheads can be viewed easily with a decent pair of binoculars or spotting scope.

Chances are good that when you do spot a bufflehead, it will either be eating or searching for food in the water. Buffleheads are diving ducks. Their entire body dives underwater to feed on tasty meals of shrimp, shellfish, or snails.

Unfortunately, many of the ecosystems that these cute little birds call home, such as bays, estuaries, ponds, and wetlands, are being destroyed by humans from non-point pollution, unplanned development and rapid growth. Man-made changes to our creeks, rivers, and coastline over the last 50 years have made destructive modifications to prime wildlife habitat.

The most important thing you can do to help protect and preserve buffleheads in New Jersey is to protect and preserve their habitat. Write hand-written letters to you local, county, and state elected officials to tell them that open space, especially the protection of wetlands, is important to you and your family. Natural areas must be protected in the Bayshore and Jersey Shore for all species to enjoy.

Encourage your neighbors and community to help protect and preserve what is left of our natural heritage for people now and in the future to enjoy the sight of buffleheads in the bay.

For more information on buffleheads, check out this NY State Department of Environmental Conservation website: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dpae/cons/buffle.html

sosap2002@comcast.net
contact Joe Reynolds

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LEND - A - HAND Volunteer Center of Monmouth County (732) 728-1927

***NOTE NEW ADDRESS***

The Volunteer Center of Monmouth County, (732) 728-1927, offers hundreds of unique volunteer opportunities.  The Center is now located at 1900 Highway 35, Oakhurst, NJ, and is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

See Volunteer Opportunities
../lend_a_hand/index.html

SNOW GAMES

When sirens announced snow days
sleds slid out of the garage,
boots, gloves, scarves came out of hiding.
I gave my usual "when I was your age" speech,
how I walked to school
in four foot drifts of snow,
wind whipping off the ocean,
hair and toes cold and wet
despite cotton kerchief tied tight,
rubber galoshes covering calves;
tired of my tirade, they coasted downhill
in winter white, cheeks flushed, noses running.

I did not tell them snow is soft, secret,
tinged by winter frost,
giant green firs bent low,
icicles dangling like diamond earrings,
flakes beaming by lunar light
mirrored in a glass greenhouse,
hot tub steaming, windows fogged,
pinot grigio full, then empty,
Pisces lovers swimming in warm wet wonder.
I did not tell them that summer babies
are made in winter snow when the moon is full.

GILDA KREUTER

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Click the image to see a larger picture.

../picture_this/2002/pt_021212.htm  or click here

Can you identify the location from this photo taken in Monmouth County, NJ? 
Send your answer along with your name and town where you live to: editor@ahherald.com

Last Week's Picture This! Answer

Our own Dr. Alan Zaccaria, (Physicians Forum) was the only person to correctly identify last week's location. A:  Seven Presidents Park, Long Branch

After reading the article entitled "The Medical Malpractice Claim" written by Mr. Marcolus, I was very disappointed in the short sightedness expressed in his column. My first thoughts were, "Here we go again--Another scripted trial-attorney's response to a very serious, multifactorial problem." Mr. Marcolus would have the general public believe that the insurance companies alone are to blame for the malpractice crisis in New Jersey, and in the United States for that matter. He and the rest of the trial attorneys in our great state would have you believe that the legal system is not at all responsible for this problem and that tort reform will not help to solve it.

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Gerard P. Scharfenberger, MA, RPA
Vice-President
Concerned Citizens of Middletown

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Get your listing in Merchant Mart - $50/month  - Call Allan (732) 872-1957