The Quote of the Day

Break open a cherry tree and there are no flowers, 

but the spring breeze brings forth myriad blossoms. 

 ~Ikkyu Sojun

Easter Bone Hunt Tomorrow!

Music for your Friday.... MONEY .... :)

Good luck winning tonight!

The JFK Egg Hunt is This SATURDAY!!!

The Quote of the Day

How can a society that exists on instant mashed potatoes, packaged cake mixes, frozen dinners, and instant cameras teach patience to its young?  

~Paul Sweeney

Rutgers Day Coming, Free, Rain or Shine, on April 28

Is your calendar like mine?  I'm already working on my summer plans.  I have to know in advance what I'm going to do and when.  So I guess it isn't too early to remind you that Rutgers Day is coming... it's one month away!  Put it on your calendar, because there is lots to do! 

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – Rutgers Day, Rutgers University’s annual welcome to the people of New Jersey, is coming, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 28. 

Rutgers Day will include nearly 500 events, exhibits and activities on the flagship campus in New Brunswick and Piscataway. There will be plenty to stimulate the minds and senses of New Jerseyans of all ages, and all programs are free. Visitors will be able to flex their creative muscles; sample music and culture from around the world; and mingle with Rutgers students, scientists, poets, philosophers and other scholars. 

Parking is free and buses will be available to shuttle among the College Avenue, Douglass, George H. Cook and Busch campuses. Each campus will offer visitors a rich menu of sights and sounds.  

The College Avenue Campus, the heart of Rutgers, will celebrate the imaginative power of the arts and humanities with particular emphasis on activities for children. Puppet shows, story book readings, and arts and crafts activities will showcase educational fun. Visitors can stage a “getaway” to the ocean, outer space or an exotic locale by having their photos taken against a “green screen;” preschoolers can curl up for stories at the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum; and student organizations will help kids make bracelets and other crafts as they explain their commitment to the community. If you’ve asked yourself about the meaning of life or the nature of existence, you can stop by for a complimentary cup of coffee at the Philosophy Café, where students and faculty from what is widely recognized as one of the top philosophy departments in the English-speaking world will encourage your intellectual quest. There will be brawn as well as brains, and style as well as sheer fun: Visitors can cheer on Olympic weight lifters and watch competitive ballroom dancing. 

Busch Campus is for science lovers and those whose inclinations lean toward practical business. Psychology students and faculty will help visitors understand the workings of the human mind with quizzes, illusions and interactive demonstrations. The ever-popular Faraday Children’s Lecture will open the minds of young people to the excitement and romance of physics. Visitors can explore the largest university-based cell and DNA repository in the world, courtesy of the Department of Genetics. Engineering students will send a robot through an obstacle course and display their formula racing car. The Rutgers Business School has a full menu of events, from games of skill organized by the Little Investment Bankers, a student organization whose members are headed for careers in finance, to DJ

Kinsanity, who will play music while visitors learn more about the Rutgers Business School. Finally, visitors can take in the Scarlet & White football game – a one-hour scrimmage that caps off the Scarlet Knights’ spring practice.  

On the Douglass Campus, visitors can search the Big Dig – the Department of Anthropology’s mock archaeological dig – to learn how an excavation works and make stone tools and arrowheads. They can register to vote at the Eagleton Institute of Politics, or create a comic strip with themselves as the superheroes. In addition, the 38th annual New Jersey Folk Festival will feature the music and culture of Bulgaria, as well as a wide variety of folk music from Celtic to Gospel. 

On the George H. Cook Campus, visitors can meet Seeing Eye puppies, create rain barrels and learn about their role in water conservation; visit baby farm animal; and watch as a sculptor creates art out of ice with a chainsaw. The Cook Campus also is the home of Ag Field Day, which has been held on the same spot, rain or shine, for more than a century.

Rutgers Day is sponsored in part by Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. For more information go to http://rutgerstoday.rutgers.edu.

The Quote of the Day

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, 

but rejoices for those which he has. 

~Epictetus

A fun Chick Fil A app... (a game, not an appetizer)

Do you Qualify for the Senior Freeze Property TaxReimbursement Program?

 I just got this email from Assemblyman Wisniewski's office.  They wanted me to share it with you, because they want to make sure everyone eligible for this program knows about it, and knows how to apply.  If you have any questions, you should call the Assemblyman's office at (732) 432-8460.

Senior Freeze Property Tax Reimbursement Deadline Approaching

Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski is reaching out to senior citizens and disabled residents to notify them that applications for the 2011 Senior Freeze property tax program should have arrived in the mail from the New Jersey Division of Taxation. The Senior Freeze program reimburses eligible participants for property tax increases that occur once they are successfully registered with the program. The deadline for filing program applications is June 1, 2012.

“The Senior Freeze program provides eligible participants with relief from ever escalating property taxes,” said Assemblyman Wisniewski. “For many participants, the assistance provided by the program allows them to stay in their home rather than having to sell it.”

Each year, the New Jersey Division of Taxation automatically mails applications for the Senior Freeze program’s property tax reimbursement to residents who may be eligible to participate in the program. Many eligible participants, however, may not have received the paperwork and will have to request the program’s forms in time to file the application by the program deadline.

To be eligible for the Senior Freeze program, applicants must have been 65 years or older by December 31, 2010 OR have been receiving federal Social Security disability benefits as of December 31, 2010 AND December 31, 2011.

Eligible applicants must also meet all these additional requirements:

• Have lived in New Jersey continuously since January 1, 2001, either as a homeowner or renter;

• Have owned and lived in your home, or leased a site in a mobile home park for a manufactured or mobile home that you own, since January 1, 2008;  

• Paid the full amount of the 2010 property taxes due on your home by June 1, 2011 and paid all 2011 property taxes by June 1, 2012; and

• Have total annual income for both 2010 and 2011 of $80,000 or less.

With rare exceptions, all income is taken into account in determining program eligibility including social security and pension benefits. Income limits for the program are also subject to change as a result of the annual state budget.

“I encourage eligible residents who have not received their forms or who are applying for the first time to contact my office to secure the needed paperwork as soon as possible,” said Assemblyman Wisniewski. “My office is also available to answer residents’ questions about eligibility and how to properly file the necessary forms.”

Assemblyman John Wisniewski represents New Jersey ’s 19^th Legislative District, which includes the Middlesex County towns of Carteret, Perth Amboy , Sayreville, South Amboy and Woodbridge . His office is located at 132 Main Street in Sayreville and can be reached by calling (732) 432-8460.

 

The Quote of the Day

The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours - it is an amazing journey - and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.

 ~Bob Moawad

Beanie Baby Hunger Games!

Did you get to the movies this weekend????

The Quote of the Day

Trust only movement. Life happens at the level of events, not of words. 
Trust movement.

 ~Alfred Adler

Photo Contest Entries!

Photo Courtesy of Frank and Ellie Kemper

 I've got two entries for my "Spring In Iselin" photo contest....  and here they are!
A few ducks landed on my in-law's lawn the other day, and they snapped a few shots and asked if they could enter them into the photo contest... OF COURSE!

You can even see the duck on their mailbox.  My Father in Law said it was "Home sweet home" for the male duck, but the momma duck I think he said was "off to work."  She wandered around the area - shopping around or something - while the male just waited for her, right where he is in this photo.

One of these photos MIGHT be the winner!  But we still have until April 15th, so who knows?  Send me YOUR photo of Spring in Iselin, and give them some competition... and check out the rules of the photo contest below!

Photo Courtesy of Frank and Ellie Kemper

"SPRING IN ISELIN" PHOTO CONTEST RULES Deadline to enter is April 15th. Take a picture of something that means "Spring in Iselin" to you, and I'll pick one photo to win a 2.5 gallon container of Maglione's Italian Ice, (which you'll have to pick up in Iselin!) You can take a picture of anything you want, but I have the right to turn down photos that are inappropriate or negative. You have to promise that YOU are the person who took the photo, and that you have all rights to the photo. Nothing copyrighted or shared from somewhere else. You are giving me the right to use the photo, whether you win or not. But I'll give you credit whenever I use it. And I reserve the right to NOT use the photo, for whatever reason I might have. I will choose the winner - I might ask for other judges to help me if I have trouble deciding. If it's really close and I can't decide, I might take my top choices and decide the best one at random. But my decision is final. Obviously, I have to be able to see the photo in order to decide. You can either send me a .jpeg file in an email, at Iselin.home@yahoo.com, or you can tag Iselin Times in it on Facebook. If I see it, and it's in the running, I'll post it on the Iselin Times. I'm going to limit it to no more than three (3) photo entries per person. Remember, it's for fun. I hope people are interested and enter!!!

Music for your FRIDAY!!! :)

The Quote of the Day

  If I had my life to live over, 

  I would start barefoot earlier in the spring 

  and stay that way later in the fall.  

~Nadine Stair

Waiting for the Sun

We're waiting... I thought it was supposed to be gorgeous out over the last few days?  It hasn't been quite as hot and sunny as I expected, but it's been way nicer than it usually is for the middle of March!  And everything is popping!  The flowers look beautiful all around Iselin, don't they?

Have you taken any great photos that you'd like to enter into the "Spring in Iselin" photo contest?  The winner will get a 2.5 gallon container of Maglione's Italian Ice.  C'mon, send me some springy photos! The deadline is April 15th, and 
 The complete rules for the contest are HERE...

Enjoy the weather!

Time for Moves Like Woodbridge...

At 10:00 AM!  So, start dancing...



Supposedly, I'll be doing this...(with my two left feet and complete lack of talent)



And if you still feel like dancing, how 'bout this one?

The Quote of the Day

You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming.  ~Pablo Neruda

 

Are you going to "Move like Woodbridge" tomorrow?

If you are, you could try a free yoga class!


From the "Comfort and Balance" Website:

"Moves Like Woodbridge- 

Free Beginners+ Yoga Class-

On Thursday, March 22nd from 9:30-10:30am, we're celebrating Woodbridge Townships newest Wellness Campaign "Moves Like Woodbridge." Beginners+ Yoga incorporates physical movements (asanas-yoga poses), breath work (pranayama) & meditation to help participants relax, build your overall strength and flexibility & reconnect with spirit. Beginners and advanced students can enjoy this free yoga class. This class will be outdoors in our back lot, bring 2 beach towels for additional padding under your yoga mat.
Everyone- Beginners, Experienced, Advances
All Ages Welcome!"

Cooper Towers Senior Housing Renovated

$2 Million Project Utilizes In-Place Funding… Offers Cost Savings for Renovation of Senior Apartments…  Provides Quality Jobs for Township Trades Workers… and Provides New Housing for Woodbridge Senior Residents 

 

Woodbridge, NJ -- Mayor John E. McCormac, representatives of Woodbridge-area construction companies and trade unions, the Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency and the Woodbridge Housing Authority today unveiled newly renovated, handicap-accessible apartments for Senior residents at the Cooper Towers Senior Apartment Center in Iselin . 

 

Mayor McCormac announced last October that the long-term reconstruction and renovation project is geared to upgrade 415 senior housing units maintained by the Woodbridge Housing Authority at Stern, Olsen, Finn, Adams and Greiner Tower Senior resident centers.  The program decreases administrative costs (thus allowing more dollars to be invested in actual construction), offers employment opportunities to professional tradespersons from Woodbridge-area construction and trade organizations, and provides new, up-dated and modern housing for Woodbridge senior residents.  The $2.25 million project utilizes monies currently on-deposit with the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

 

Joining Mayor McCormac to announce the project were Caroline Ehrlich, Executive Director, Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency (RDA), Donna Brightman , Executive Director, Woodbridge Housing Authority , Kevin McCabe, Chief of Staff, Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters (U.B.J.C.A.), Richard Brown, Vice President, Mast Construction Services, Nick Latkovic, United States Gypsum, Inc., Dennis Henry, Director, Woodbridge Township Department of Public Works, representatives from Verizon and Comcast Cable, Jean Asouline, President, Cooper Towers Resident Association, and senior residents from Cooper Towers.

 

“This unique public/private partnership represents good government by utilizing available Affordable Housing monies received from developers - not taxpayer dollars – to renovate and update 415 senior housing apartments and provides employment in a down economy to Woodbridge-area craftsmen, plumbers, electricians, masons, and tradesmen,” said Mayor McCormac.  “While these are challenging times for many local municipalities, Woodbridge continues to work out-of-the-box to implement creative projects that achieve our mandate of maximizing taxpayer resources, assuring the availability of modern housing to senior residents, and providing employment opportunities to Township workers.”

 

The Woodbridge Township Redevelopment Agency serves as the project general contractor, directing the work, coordinating labor, purchasing materials, and insuring the permitting, inspection and quality of the project.  The Woodbridge Housing Authority makes vacant units available – three to five units at a time – for rehabilitation and renovation.  The Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters (U.B.J.C.A.) provides the necessary labor to staff the project, providing laborers where possible who are Township residents, and staff from the Department of Public Works are assigned to provide labor and specialty services.  The renovation of each apartment includes a new kitchen (flooring, cabinets, appliances), bathroom (flooring, fixtures, cabinets), and the renovation of the living and bedroom areas (flooring, windows, doors, painting). 

Jean Asouline, President, Cooper Towers Resident Association, outlines renovations to senior resident apartments at Cooper Towers . Mayor John E. McCormac, members of the Municipal Council, representatives of Woodbridge-area construction companies and trade unions, the Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency, the Woodbridge Housing Authority and the Department of Public Works participated in the ceremonial ribbon-cutting and grand opening of newly renovated apartments for Senior residents at the Cooper Towers Senior Apartment Center in Iselin . 

Mayor John E. McCormac and Caroline Ehrlich, Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency, welcome Mr. and Mrs. Orlando Rangel to Apartment 2A at Cooper Towers .

 

Free Ice at Rita's TODAY!

From the Rita's Italian Ice Website, HERE...

 "Mark the First Day of Spring with FREE Italian Ice!

For the past 19 plus years, Rita's has been giving away a free, regular size Italian Ice to each and every guest to mark the first day of spring! This is a sweet date for Italian Ice lovers, as each year, hundreds of thousands of our guests visit Rita's in search of the first taste of spring. In fact, in 2011, Rita's guests showed their spring spirit and over 1.2 million cups of Italian Ice were given away in a ten hour period!

We are already gearing up to celebrate the arrival of spring in 2012! A springtime tradition, Rita's annual giveaway will be held on Tuesday, March 20 from noon to 9 p.m. at all open Rita's locations. This is surely a tasty tradition that you won't want to miss! So be sure to stop by your local Rita's location and celebrate the arrival of spring on us!"

Thanks, Rita, for a free Italian Ice today! And with a day as warm as it is today, I bet it's gonna be crazy over there.  This kinda explains the horde of kids I saw walking in that direction earlier this afternoon.  

Rita's in Woodbridge is located at 
755 St. George Avenue
(Where the A&P Shopping Center used to be!)
Woodbridge, NJ  07095

Spring is Here!

glitter-graphics.com

Today is the first day of Spring...  and after yesterday, I wonder what kind of spring we'll have.  It feels like we'll be headed straight into summer.  Have a great day!

From Wikipedia:

An equinox occurs twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun, the center of the Sun being in the same plane as the Earth's equator. The term equinox can also be used in a broader sense, meaning the date when such a passage happens. The name "equinox" is derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night), because around the equinox, the night and day have approximately equal length.

The Quote of the Day

Poor, dear, silly Spring, preparing her annual surprise!  

~Wallace Stevens

The Quote of the Day

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.  

 ~Hal Borland

The Quote of the Day

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.  ~Proverb

The Quote of the Day

It was one of those March days  when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:  when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.  

~Charles Dickens

Top o' The Morning to Ye!

glitter-graphics.com

The Quote of the Day

“If you're lucky enough to be Irish, 

then you're lucky enough.” 

 Irish Sayings quote from ThinkExist.com

Music to Start your St. Patrick's Day Weekend!

Oh, the Places you'll Go!

Assemblyman Coughlin read to third, fourth, and fifth graders at Menlo Park Terrace's School 19 today. 

He read Oh, the Places You Will Go! and answered several dozen questions related to his job duties and personal life. 


Assemblyman Coughlin wrapped up his usual "Read Across America Week" with this reading in an effort to encourage school-aged students to read and promote the importance and love of reading. 

Happy ALMOST St. Patrick's Day!

I know that Irish Soda Bread is traditional, and lots of people love it.  But I'm not REALLY Irish - only a little - and it never appealed to me.  I wanted to try something new.  And this was SOOO CUTE!  I found them HERE on Creativetryalls.blogspot.com...

But I've gotta tell you - it took me two days, because the dough had to raise, so you might want to start these today if you want to enjoy them tomorrow!

Woodbridge Twp Board of Ed Schedules Unused Snow Days

Last night, the Board of Education revised the student calendar for the 2011-2012 school year to include school closings for 3 unused inclement weather days: Schools will be closed as follows:

• Monday, April 16**
• Friday, May 25
• Tuesday, May 29.

**NOTE: As Lynn Crest School #22 and Lafayette Estates School #25 were closed on
November 1, 2011, due to power outages, and Woodbridge High School was
closed on February 22, 2012, due to a water main break, Schools #22, #25, and
Woodbridge High School will be in session with an early dismissal on Friday,
May 25, 2012.

The Quote of the Day

“Where the tongue slips, it speaks the truth”

 Irish Sayings quote from ThinkExist.com

The Quote of the Day

“Continual cheerfulness is a sign of wisdom.” 

 Irish Sayings quote from ThinkExist.com

The Quote of the Day

“Praise the ripe field, not the green corn”

 Irish Sayings quote from ThinkExist.com

Happy Pi Day!...3/14, of course!

Here is an infographic of all the pi-related facts and figures you could hope for.

A Beautiful Day -- and a beautiful Photo contest!

Photo Credit  Ellen Ghiano

What a day!  I almost felt like it was summer today... and the sun even came out.  I really thought it was going rain all day, when I first woke up this morning.  Thank goodness for the sun, because it takes some of the edge off my crankiness -- I'm having trouble with this whole "spring ahead" thing.

My friend Ellen took this beautiful photo of daffodils in her Iselin garden, and it made me think. There are so many different views of Iselin, but I usually focus mostly on the view outside my own window. You must get sick of seeing the same pictures from me all the time. If I could get cool photos of other views of Spring in Iselin, that would be really great. I wonder... would anyone be interested in an Iselin photo contest???

I don't know if anyone will enter, but I've decided I want to try. So I'm putting it out there, and I'm going to keep it simple, because I'm not sure what kind of interest I'll get. For the prize, I'll buy a 2.5 gallon of Maglione's Italian Ice for the winner - but you are going to have to pick it up!

 So these are the rules... but I reserve the right to add more rules if I think I forgot something!

"SPRING IN ISELIN" PHOTO CONTEST RULES 

Deadline to enter is April 15th.
Take a picture of something that means "Spring in Iselin" to you, and I'll pick one photo to win a 2.5 gallon container of Maglione's Italian Ice,  (which you'll have to pick up in Iselin!)

You can take a picture of anything you want, but I have the right to turn down photos that are inappropriate or negative.

You have to promise that YOU are the person who took the photo, and that you have all rights to the photo. Nothing copyrighted or shared from somewhere else.

You are giving me the right to use the photo, whether you win or not.  But I'll give you credit whenever I use it.  And I reserve the right to NOT use the photo, for whatever reason I might have.

I will choose the winner - I might ask for other judges to help me if I have trouble deciding.  If it's really close and I can't decide, I might take my top choices and decide the best one at random. But my decision is final.

Obviously, I have to be able to see the photo in order to decide. You can either send me a .jpeg file in an email, at Iselin.home@yahoo.com, or you can tag Iselin Times in it on Facebook. If I see it, and it's in the running, I'll post it on the Iselin Times.

I'm going to limit it to no more than three (3) photo entries per person.

Remember, it's for fun.  I hope people are interested and enter!!!

The Quote of the Day

“Who gossips with you will gossip of you.” 

 Irish Sayings quote from ThinkExist.com

HAIRSPRAY at JFK!

The John F. Kennedy High School play this year is HAIRSPRAY, and it's going to be FABULOUS!
 Make your plans now to come see it -
March 13, 2012 (Senior Citizen Preview)  at 4:00 PM
March 15, 2012  --  March 16, 2012  --   March 17, 2012   at   7:00 PM

Tickets will be for sale at the door.
Get there early for a good seat!

The Quote of the Day

“It is easy to be pleasant when life flows by like a song, 
but the man worth while is the one who will smile when everything goes dead wrong. 
For the test of the heart is trouble, 
and it always comes with years, 
and the smile that is worth the praises of earth 
is the smile that shines through the tears.”

 

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Irish Sayings quote from ThinkExist.com

What a great day for a Parade!

Here are a few photos I took... If you have any to post here, let me know!  I'd love to share them!

The Quote of the Day

 

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

-- Irish Blessing

Woodbridge Parade and St. Pat's Party!

The 40th Annual Woodbridge St. Patrick's Day Parade & Celebration is set for Sunday,
March 11.  At 1:30 P.M., the biggest St. Patrick's Day parade in the
 region steps-off from Woodbridge High School, moves to Freeman Street, onto Linden
Avenue, to Amboy Ave. (Route 35) to Main Street, concluding in front of Town Hall.



More than 80 marching units, traditional Irish Pipe Bands, high school marching
 bands, Irish-themed parade floats and displays, Township fire departments, first
aid and emergency response squads, Woodbridge scouting organizations and community,
civic, sports, and neighborhood associations are set to participate.


St. Pats Parade Party

at Rugs and Riffys

All Day Sunday - They open at 12:00 noon

• They are closing the street and having a party. It's the "official" after-parade party!!! Live Music! Green Beer! Irish Food & Great times!

Rug's & Riffys --  493 Rahway Ave., Woodbridge, NJ 07095

glitter-graphics.com

My TV Time

My TV Time
Posted by Von Battle
For years we’ve just had basic television service. I’ve never been that in to tv and movies to pay for additional movie channels. Last month when we renewed our subscription, we received direct tv promotions that provided us with some free movie channels for a few months. Now I am hooked on HBO’s True Blood! I read several of the Sookie Stackhouse series books several years ago and knew the show was out there but hadn’t watched any episodes. The books were good but I didn’t get hooked on them like a lot of people. Now I am like a kid at Christmas waiting for each new episode. I completely understand now why they do these promotions. Once our free offer is up I will have to sign up because I can’t imagine waiting until the end of the season to watch the episodes on dvd. My husband and kids know not to disturb me on Sunday nights—it’s my time with the television so they might as well get lost!

GOOD LUCK PNEUBOTIC MUSTANGS ROBOTICS CLUB!

The Robotics Club in JFK High School, the "Pneubotic Mustangs", will be competing at Rutgers this weekend in the "REBOUND RUMBLE"... You can read all about the event at MyCentralJersey.com, HERE. 

The Pneubotic Mustangs are a member of the FIRST Robotics Organization.  FIRST means For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. 
"The organization's mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership."  The FIRST website also said,  "FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills."

Photo Credit Tej Patel

The competition this weekend will take place at the College Avenue Gym at Rutgers University.  42 high school teams will compete over two days, from 8 AM to 6 PM.  According to the article, "The two-day event is open to the public and admission is free."


The MyCentralJersey.com article went on to explain that “...Rebound Rumble” is the FIRST version of basketball and its own “March Madness.” An alliance of three robots will compete against three other robots to pick up mini basketballs and shot them into hoops at each end of the playing field to score points. Each end of the field has four baskets at different heights for the robots to shoot at and score — with points varying according to each basket’s height. At the end of the match teams can score additional points by balancing one or more robots on one of three “seesaw” bridges at the center of the playing field. Opposing teams can cooperate to balance one robot from each alliance on the center bridge for valuable extra points. Each team will compete at least 12 times before 24 of the 42 teams make the finals."




This isn't the end of competitions for the Pneubotic Mustangs, because I hear that they will also be at the Mount Olive District Competition, which starts on March 30, 2012.  And... Who knows?  Maybe they'll also be moving on to higher levels of competition!!!

You can see the Pneubotic Mustang's website, with a lot of pretty technical photos, HERE...

Spring Forward This Weekend!!!

Daylight Saving Time (United States) 
begins Sunday, March 11, 2012, at 2:00am, 
and ends Sunday, November 4, 2012, 2:00am.
(Except Arizona and Hawaii!)
Move your clocks ahead 1 hour in spring 
and back 1 hour in fall...
"Spring forward, fall back!"

Cool New Jersey Summer Music Festivals...... are you going?

The Bamboozle Festival is coming to Asbury Park in May... I think everyone has already heard, right? 'Cause BON JOVI and the FOO FIGHTERS are among the many many many people playing. I wish I was going!
The Gursky Project - Episode 01: Greetings From Asbury Park from The Bamboozle Festival on Vimeo.

The Orion Music Festival is coming to Atlantic City in June. Have you heard about this one? It sounds pretty good, too.



What are your summer concert plans?

Update on the Wdbg Center Shooting from News12 NJ

Just read this on Facebook, HERE!!!

BREAKING: The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office says the officer involved in the shooting at the Woodbridge Center mall is Officer Edward Barrett, 32. The suspect, who police say shoplifted and held a knife to a 62-year-old woman's neck, has been identified as Andres Garcia, 44.

Music to Start your WEEKEND!!!

Happy Friday! Are you going to the Woodbridge Parade on Sunday?

Job Fair Today

Wow, a shooting in Woodbridge Center!

I just read about the shooting in Sears tonight - did you hear about it?  It's all over the news!  This is the story I read on NJ.Com:

An alleged shoplifter armed with a knife was shot and killed inside  the Woodbridge Center shopping mall after holding a person hostage, according to two sources familiar with the investigation.

The incident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. in the Sears wing of the mall, said the sources, who were not authorized to publicly speak about the incident.

The sources said a shoplifter was confronted by mall security in the clothing store, prompting the shoplifter to pull out a knife and hold a person hostage with the knife held at the person's throat.

A Woodbridge police officer arrived at the scene and shot the suspect dead, the sources said. It was unclear how many shots were fired. The hostage was not injured, according to the sources.

It was not immediately known if the police officer was on duty or off-duty.
Investigators from the Woodbridge Police Department and the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office are at the scene investigating the shooting, News 12 New Jersey is reporting. A teenager told News 12 that he heard several shots fired.

Tyler Bruno, a witness interviewed by News 12, said he saw a scene of "total chaos," with people running outside the mall and into the Sears parking lot, warning shoppers not to go inside.

James O'Neill, a spokesman for the county prosecutor's office, said the state Attorney General's office has been notified about the shooting, which is routine policy for shootings involving police.

This was the fourth police-involved shooting in Middlesex County during the past several months.

More details about tonight's shooting will be posted as soon as they are confirmed.
Star-Ledger staff writers Tom Haydon and James Queally contributed to this report.

The Sun and the Moon

 Did you see that beautiful big moon last night?  It was almost full... tonight it's actually full.

And, from what I've read, there is also a solar storm today:

from the Facebook Page for the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management:

Solar Storm today: the National Weather Service is predicting solar storm activity today through tomorrow morning (Fri. 3/9).

What's a solar storm ? Technically called a "coronal mass injection" it's a cloud of energized particles which can inject voltage onto the power grid.

What does this mean for you ? You may experience issues with global positioning systems or radio transmissions. Airports and public safety agencies rely on these devices, and so do many other individuals and professions.

What are we doing about it ? We're working with NJ's utilities through the NJ Board of Public Utilities to mitigate impact by lowering the power grid output. In extreme cases, a "rolling blackout" situation might be experienced.

 This was a link at the bottom of the article, to NOAA:

"2012-03-08 11:32 UTC  Geomagnetic Storm has Started, Solar Radiation Storm Continues
The coronal mass ejection (CME) associated with the R3 (Strong) Radio Blackout event from 0024 UTC March 7 (7:24 p.m. EST March 6) arrived at ACE at 1045 UTC today (5:45 a.m. EST March 8).  So far the orientation of the magnetic field has been opposite of what is needed to cause the strongest storming.  As the event progresses, that field will continue to change.  Based on overall strength, the predictions for periods reaching the G3 level look justified.  Additionally, the Solar Radiation Storm levels remain above the S3 (Strong) threshold at this time, with values rising at the moment with the shock arrival. Region 1429 remains potent and subsequent activity is certainly possible. Updates here as conditions warrant."

Full Moon and Sun Storm... and a beautiful spring day. Take it easy today!

The Quote of the Day

It is often easier to become outraged by injustice half a world away than by oppression and discrimination half a block from home.  

~Carl T. Rowan

KONY 2012

KONY 2012 is a film and campaign by Invisible Children that aims to make Joseph Kony famous, not to celebrate him, but to raise support for his arrest and set a precedent for international justice.

 I first heard about Invisible Children at JFK High School. The High School has had programs by this group, raising their student's awareness of issues affecting youth in other parts of the world.

 It's time for the whole world to learn what is going on. BUT... don't forget... there is always more than one side to any story. Here is the movie from Invisible Children, that everyone is talking about.




ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN... Huffington Post ran a very interesting article, suggesting that people shouldn't assume that the situation is as easily understood as the movie makes it seem.

In the article, the author Michael Deibert agrees that Kony is "a grotesque war criminal, to be sure." But he also sums up his article with a caution: "I have seen the well-meaning foreigners do plenty of damage before, so that is why people understanding the context and the history of the region is important before they blunder blindly forward to "help" a people they don't understand."

That seems like a very good idea. So... my suggestion? Awareness and education. BEFORE you decide to send your money, or the USA decides to get involved in any serious long term war. 

What do YOU think? Let me know in the comments below.

Blooming Branches!

Here's an easy idea for spring.

Lots of people have magnolia trees, forsythia, or other blooming trees, in their yard.

If you cut a few branches and put them in water, you can force them to bloom now instead of waiting for the weather to warm up more.

These pictures were taken over the course of a few days.

 I'm SO ready for spring!

The Quote of the Day

I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read and all the friends I want to see.  

~John Burroughs

Spring is Springing

It was a beautiful day today! 

Flowers are blooming... 

sun is shining...

Get your tickets for the JFK Gift Auction!

 
 

GIFT AUCTION

to benefit

John F. Kennedy Memorial High School

CLASS OF 2012 PROJECT GRADUATION 

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Doors open at 3:00 p.m. — Auction begins at 5:00 p.m.

Auction Held in the School Gym 

$10.00 Admission
 Kitchen will be open!

TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE!  

Get 'em while they last... this is the biggest event of the year, 

and one of the best gift auctions ever!!! 

ALSO AVAILABLE.... Super 50/50's for $5/ticket!!!

Ya gotta be in it to win it!

No one under 18 admitted

For additional information or to purchase tickets, 

please call Maryalice Jacko at 732-925-4670
or JFK High School at 732-602-8650.

The Quote of the Day

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.  

~Buddha

Dance Festival Tomorrow!!!

Today is the day! Sample some Chili at Bitting's!

The Quote of the Day

Sometimes life's Hell.  

But hey!  

Whatever gets the marshmallows toasty. 

 ~J. Andrew Helt