The diesel fuel tanker remains in the tidal basin waterway in Wet Deptford as of Tuesday evening.

WEST DEPTFORD TWP. -- Roads remain closed between West Deptford and Paulsboro as a tanker truck that overturned into a waterway is removed from the area Tuesday evening.

The Riggins tanker truck was carrying 7,600 gallons of diesel fuel when it overturned on Crown Point Road early Tuesday morning, landing in the tidal basin along the border of the two towns, according to West Deptford police.

There was no fuel spilled in the accident and all of the diesel has been emptied into another truck, West Deptford Police Chief Sam DiSimone said, but the truck remains in the waterway as preparations are made to move it safely. The road could remain closed for hours until it is finished.

The truck was headed northbound out of Paulsboro Tuesday morning when another vehicle, which was headed southbound into the borough, drifted into his lane.

"He swerved to miss her and went into the southbound lane. Due to the wet roadway, he slid off into the tidal basin," DiSimone said.

The driver of the other vehicle fell asleep at the wheel, he added.

No on was seriously injured in the crash.

Hazardous materials teams were on the scene of the accident throughout Tuesday to make sure there was no threat to the water system or surrounding area.

Rebecca Forand may be reached at rforand@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @RebeccaForand.Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Sandrino's Sacrifice Fund Golf Outing is scheduled for May 6

Sgt. Alessandro L. Plutinonj.com 

MANTUA TWP. -- The fifth annual Sandrino's Sacrifice Fund Golf Outing is scheduled for Friday, May 6 at the Pitman Golf Course. The tournament will have a double shotgun scramble format. The morning tournament starts at 8 a.m. and the afternoon at 1:30 p.m.

The fund has been established to honor Sgt. Alessandro L. Plutino, known to his family and friends as Sandrino, to give back to our great nation's heroes and their families. The Pitman native, gave the ultimate sacrifice on Aug. 8, 2011 when he was killed by enemy forces while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The fund has donated over $180,000 to various military organizations including the Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund and Jared Allen's Home For Wounded Warriors. SFC (RET) Cory Remsburg will be the guest of honor at the golf outing. On Oct. 1, 2009, SFC Remsburg was on his tenth combat rotation when he and his squad were conducting a combat operation involving multiple enemy contacts. During the operation, SFC Remsburg was seriously wounded by an improvised explosive device.

Both of these organization have provided SFC Remsburg with a mortgage-free home equipped with ADA compliant requirements, a workout gym room, therapy pool and other additional features. "Having Cory here is truly an honor," says Dianne Hammond, Sandrino's mother. "It shows our sponsors and supporters exactly where the funds go that we raise each year."

Another guest of honor will be South Jersey native and Food Network Celebrity Chef Murph who will be cooking for the golfers on the green. Chef Murph, believes food does two things: One, good food makes for better decisions and two, it brings people and culture to the table to talk.

Registration for the morning tournament begins at 7 a.m. followed by a luncheon. The afternoon registration begins at 12:30 p.m. followed by a dinner banquet. Bogey's Club & Cafe will host the lunch and dinner awards banquet after each tournament which also features 50/50 drawings and both a Chinese and silent auctions.

This year's tournament also consists of two hole-in-one prizes: 2016 KIA Optima and a $5,000 gift certificate to Dondero Diamonds and Fine Jewelry, Vineland.

Honoring Sandrino's Sacrifice Fund, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation registered in New Jersey with tax ID #45-4140735 and 501(c) (3) status. For further golf information phone Charlie Malson at 856-779-7738, and for sponsorship inquiries call Dennis Clowney at 302-420-6267.

A $100 reward is being offered for the return of her teacup Yorkie, according to reports.

WASHINGTON TWP. -- A South Jersey woman is asking the public to help find her teacup Yorkie, who was taken by several young adults, 6abc reports.

Surveillance footage captured the theft.

Tina Gearhardt, of Gloucester County, has asked the community to help locate Yorkie Bella who was taken last Thursday by a group of young adults, according to reports.

The dog -- Yorkie Bella -- ran into a shopping center behind the home after the backyard gate was unlocked and several young adults grabbed her, reports say.

Video surveillance from a nearby church captured a man wearing a hoodie with the dog.

The Yorkie hasn't been seen since and authorities are investigating the theft, according to reports. A $100 reward is being offered for the return of the dog.

Brittany Wehner may be reached at bwehner@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @brittanymwehner. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Take a look at several options, in one day, available for sale or rent

PITMAN -- Anyone interested in starting a business, looking for an investment property, or interested in creating living space in the uptown Pitman Business District, can take a look at several options in one day at the first ever Commercial Property Open House. With new breweries coming to town, some creative art boutiques, and fabulous restaurants, now is an exciting time to invest in Pitman. The public is invited to come take a look at the open properties for sale and for rent in uptown Pitman during the commercial property open house on May 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Pitman Economic Development Commission is coordinating this event to promote commercial, retail and potential upper story residential spaces that are for lease or for sale in the uptown Pitman Business District, and over 10 property owners and/or their real estate agents are participating. Appointments are not necessary to view the participating properties and the event is free of charge. Volunteers will be set up at the Greater Pitman Chamber of Commerce at 6 Second Ave. in Pitman, to welcome guests and hand out a directory map to the available locations, as well as information about incentives, business support activities, and recent and future downtown projects.

The Commercial Real Estate Open House will feature properties that are for sale and rent. Either real estate agents or the owners themselves will be on hand to talk with those in attendance about the building and features of the building such as rental rates or purchase prices, and city services in the uptown business district.

The properties included in the open house stretch all along Broadway and will also include properties on the surrounding streets such as Pitman Avenue.

Organizers are encouraging anyone with an idea to open a business, whether it is a retail business or traditional office space, to attend. Appointments are not necessary to view the properties. Visit, www.uptownpitmanproperty.com.

This item submitted by the Greater Pitman Chamber of Commerce.

The award recognizes those who are advocates on behalf of hospitals and patients

Lisa Morina, Vice President of Marketing and External Relations at Kennedy Health is the American Hospital Association's (AHA) Grassroots Champion Award for the state of New Jersey. The Grassroots Champion Award will be formally presented to Morina at the New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) Board of Trustees Meeting on May 18.

One hospital representative from each state is honored annually with an AHA Grassroots Champion Award, which was announced at the AHA annual meeting in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes hospital leaders who are tireless advocates on behalf of hospitals and patients; who most effectively educate elected officials on how major issues affect the hospital's vital role in the community; and who have done an exemplary job in broadening community support for hospitals.

A member of the Kennedy leadership team since 2013, Morina's multi-faceted role includes strategic marketing for the multi-hospital healthcare system, as well as building and strengthening Kennedy's relationships with a wide variety of external leaders - legislative, business, community and advocacy organizations - whose support is vital to its mission. 

A lifelong South Jersey resident, Morina had served for nearly a decade as Director of Economic & Business Development for Gloucester County prior to joining Kennedy Health. In May 2015, she was appointed Chair of the Board of Directors of the Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce.

An active leader in the community, Morina currently serves as Chairperson of the South Jersey Tech Park at Rowan University, as a Trustee on the Southern New Jersey Development Council, and as a board member of Robin's Nest, a non-profit services organization for children based in Glassboro. Morina holds Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations from Rowan University and a Master's in Organizational Leadership from Cabrini College.

This item submitted by Kennedy Health.

Learn about the importance of watershed health

Join AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador Alissa Ambacher to learn about biological stream monitoring.

J

During this fun workshop, you will learn about the importance of watershed health as well as how to monitor the water quality of local streams. There will be an indoor, informational portion at the Westville Community Center, as well as an outdoor field experience session in a tributary of Big Timber Creek.

Please come dressed for the weather and the outdoors, and ready to learn. If you have waders or waterproof boots, it is recommended that you bring them.

Participants will need to drive to the stream segment on the day of the event (approximately a half mile from the center). Morning refreshments will be served. 

Please bring your own coffee cup/mug.

Sponsored by the Westville Environmental Commission. The Westville Community Center is at Harvard and Broadway (behind the Westville Library). Call Joyce Lovell 856-456-2308 to register.

This item submitted by Westville Environmental Commission.

Tax appeals have resulted in substantial ratable declines for Gloucester County in the last six years.

Gloucester County freeholders adopted the 2016 budget last month and the plan's roughly 1.5-cent tax rate increase has been attributed largely to a continued loss in ratables.

The spending plan includes a $161 million tax levy. Homeowners can expect an average $40 increase in their annual tax bills, county officials say.

The tax-rate hike is actually lower than last year's increase of 3.8 cents.

The ratable loss explanation is a familiar theme in recent budgets. Ratables -- the value of all taxable property including retail, commercial and residential -- have declined 16 percent in the last six years in Gloucester County, amounting to about $84 million in lost revenue, explained county administrator Chad Bruner.

Officials are optimistic that the ratable drop is bottoming out thanks to increased development activity in the residential and commercial sectors.

The rise and fall in ratables

After Gloucester County saw ratable increases of more than 16 percent in 2007, nearly 9 percent in 2008 and more than 5 percent in 2009, the decline began. The county saw the largest decreases in ratables -- more than 4 percent each year -- in 2012 and 2013. In the last six years, the amount of taxable property in the county has decreased 16.41 percent, totaling $84 million in lost tax revenue. The decrease in 2015 was 1.09 percent.

(Gloucester County Assessor's Office)
 

The loss in ratables can be attributed mainly to tax appeals and reassessments.

Factors that drove the increase in appeal activity included the "Great Recession" and plummeting home values, as well as a new pilot program instituted in 2010 in which Gloucester County centralized tax assessments, replacing the municipal-based assessment process.

The reasons for successful tax appeals depend on the municipality.

Appeals by petrochemical companies had the biggest impact in towns along the Delaware River.

Greenwich lost $87 million in commercial value through appeals, explained county assessor Robyn Glocker-Hammond. Paulsboro lost $19 million in residential value and $20 million in commercial value. West Deptford lost $260 million in commercial value, while Westville lost $10 million in commercial value and $17 million in residential.

Here's how much property taxes went up in N.J.

Deptford's drop is driven by falling assessments for commercial properties, Glocker-Hammond said. Monroe and Washington Townships saw losses because of the struggling retail sector.

In all, Deptford has lost $115.5 million in commercial value through appeals. Monroe has lost $23 million in commercial value and $200 million in residential value since 2012. Washington Township has lost $9 million in commercial value since 2013, according to county figures.

The biggest tax appeals

Commercial tax appeals have accounted for the largest tax revenue losses since 2012.

Five commercial appeals filed in the last four years have accounted for $12.3 million in lost Gloucester County tax revenue, according to county officials.

They were Sunoco, Paulsboro Refining, Johnson Matthey, Axeon Specialty Products/NuStar Asphalt and Almonesson Associates.

The gallery above describes the details of these appeals, including the loss in tax revenue for each.

Breaking the fall

To counteract the loss in tax revenue over the years, the county has pursued several cost-saving initiatives, including closing its jail and signing agreements to house prisoners in neighboring counties. The county has also reduced its payroll by 344 positions. Increased use of surplus has helped, too. The county used $6.7 million from surplus in this year's budget and $11.8 million in 2015.

Overall, tax appeal filings in Gloucester County have dropped by about 27 percent since 2012. In 2012, the county saw 3,127 appeal filings and 843 for 2016.

County officials credit that drop to the county taking over tax assessing duties in 2010. In the past, municipal revaluations hadn't been done for so long in some towns that equalization ratios -- the difference between assessed value and true market value -- were significantly out of balance.

The new revaluations drove a spike in tax appeals.

"The 3,127 appeals filed in 2012 was a result of 16 towns having gone through a reassessment from 2010 to 2012," Glocker-Hammond said. "In 2013 we saw 3,262 appeals filed as a result of the remaining eight towns having been reassessed for that year."

The overall decrease in appeals since then can be attributed largely to the county-based tax assessing system bringing property values more in line with actual value, she said.

An improving economy may have helped reduce appeals, too.

"The economy has improved in certain sectors but more of what you are seeing is as a result of county based assessing more accurately reflecting assessments based on true market value," Glocker-Hammond said.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

Carol Rhodes writes that John Estey's planned plea in another case unrelated to the port authority could yield interesting information.

To the Editor:

Concerning the recent article "Ex-DRPA chair charged after undercover FBI probe":

According to nj.com's sister website, pennlive.com, John Estey (a former ex-officio chairman of the Delaware River Port Authority) is expected to plead guilty to wire fraud charges stemming from an FBI sting.

If Estey wants to atone for any ethical lapse in accepting a cash payout for political access to the Pennsylvania Legislature -- in layman's terms, a bribe -- maybe he'd consider cooperating with an ongoing federal investigation at his former DRPA stomping grounds.

I'm sure that as former DRPA chairman, Estey could shed some light on the way that $500 million in toll payers' economic development funds were spent on outside, non-transportation projects, the DPRA issue that investigators are said to be probing.

Isn't it possible that DRPA board members took "bribes" -- I mean, envelopes full of cash?

Carol Rhodes

Barnsboro

Editor's note: Estey, former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell's chief of staff, was Rendell's designee to chair DRPA board meetings when Rendell was the official DRPA chairman. The newly disclosed charges against Estey do not involve the DRPA. They are related to when he was a lobbyist in 2011, after leaving the Pennsylvania government.

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

Volunteers make a difference with their skills and experience

WOODBURY -- Throughout April, Inspira Health Network recognized its 1,077 volunteers who donated over 105,000 hours at the medical centers and other Inspira locations.

Inspira Health Network volunteers have many skills and help in many ways. Some are naturally comfortable with people. Others are good with numbers and organization. They are diligent, compassionate and dependable. All are good people, doing important work.

Volunteer locations

• Inspira Medical Center Elmer
• Inspira Medical Center Vineland
• Inspira Medical Center Woodbury
• Inspira Health Center Bridgeton
• Inspira Home Care and Hospice
• Twice Loved Treasures Thrift Shop

To apply for a volunteer position with Inspira, call 1-800-INSPIRA for opportunities in Bridgeton, Elmer and Vineland, call 856-853-2034 for opportunities in Woodbury or visit www.InspiraHealthNetwork.org/careers.

As patient safety is Inspira's primary focus, all volunteer applicants are processed similarly to employees. This process includes an application, references, physician clearance, interview, background check, orientation and training free of charge.]

Inspira Health Network needs your skills and experience. No matter what you bring to the table, there's a volunteer position that will fit your interests.  

For more information about Inspira Health Network, visit www.InspiraHealthNetwork.org or call 1-800-INSPIRA.

This item submitted Inspira Health Network.

The Gloucester County Certified Gardeners will host this event

NATIONAL PARK -- Treat yourself and your friends to a real Colonial Tea at the Ann Whitall House at Red Bank Battlefield in National Park on Sunday, May 15. Learn about the importance of tea in Colonial America, and the fascinating customs surrounding tea culture.  Sip your tea while enjoying dainty sandwiches and desserts. 

This event is sponsored by the Gloucester County Certified Gardeners, who maintain the historic gardens. The gardeners are volunteers who actively work to cultivate vegetables, culinary and medicinal herbs, dyeing flowers and cutting flowers that are historically representative of the 18th century. 

The cost is $10 per person, and there are four seatings for the Tea: noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m.  Make your reservations for this May 15 event by calling the office of the Certified Gardeners at 856-307-6456.

In 1748, Quakers Ann and James Whitall established a 400-acre plantation at Red Bank along the Delaware River. This bustling plantation included fruit orchards, a lumberyard, a shad fishery, livestock and a ferry. Together, Ann and James raised nine children who worked the plantation alongside dozens of indentured servants hailing from Ireland, the Netherlands, and Germany.

This item submitted by Gloucester County Certified Gardeners. 

The Expo will also offer 12 different free workshops on a variety of gardening topics

CLAYTON --  The 2016 Gloucester County Certified Gardeners Spring Garden Expo and Plant Sale will be held on Saturday, May 7 at the Offices of Government Services, 1200 N. Delsea Drive, Clayton.

Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger said, "The Certified Gardeners Spring Garden Expo and Plant Sale is just the place to find that special Mother's Day gift. The Gardeners will also offer workshops and tips on how to have a great growing season."

Freeholder Frank J. DiMarco, liaison to the Office of Land Preservation, said, "The Certified Gardeners are trained in a variety of horticultural topics taught by leaders in the horticultural industry. They are a valuable asset to our community and I hope many people come out and learn from them and consider becoming a Certified Gardener."

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature 12 different free workshops on the following topics:

• Growing tomatoes
• Growing grapes
• Growing mushrooms
• Herb Gardening
• Top 10 perennials for your garden
• Designing with perennials
• Edible weeds
• Natural lawn care
• Composting
• Gardening for butterflies
• Flowering shrubs
• Cooking from the garden.

Plants grown by the Certified Gardeners will be available for sale including many varieties of heirloom tomatoes, herbs, vegetables, hanging baskets, annuals, trees and shrubs, hostas, and perennials that are butterfly and bird favorites.

There will be vendors selling day lilies, fruit trees, birdhouses, trees and bushes.

Certified Gardeners will be available at the Q&A table throughout the day to answer gardening and lawn care questions. Free soil pH testing, a crucial element of successful gardening, will be available as well.

The event will be held rain or shine. The public is invited and encouraged to stop by for gardening advice and some Mother's Day shopping. For more information,  call the Certified Gardener's office at 856-307-6456.

This item submitted by Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Meredith Baubles was challenged to recreate the Alice Paul 'Jailed for Freedom' pin

DEPTFORD TWP. -- On April 12, GCIT sophomore engineering student Meredith Baubles was acknowledged at the White House's Equal Pay Day celebration. The event featured the dedication of the Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument by President Barack Obama and also featured speaker Valerie Jarrett, director of the office of public engagement and intergovernmental affairs.

Baubles was acknowledged by Jarrett for a recent project she worked on with White House Chief Technology Officer Megan J. Smith using GCIT's engineering technology.

Baubles and Smith met through the Alice Paul Institute in Mount Laurel. Smith was a guest at the institute's annual open house where Baubles was featured as a young woman in STEM. After hearing about GCIT's programs through Baubles, Smith summoned the student to recreate Alice Paul's famous "Jailed for Freedom" pin using computer-assisted drafting programs.

Baubles was up for the challenge and began working after school with Daniel Pacifico, GCIT's teacher of information technology and graphic design, to create the pin to be printed three-dimensionally. The pair collaborated over the course of the semester submitting the project to Smith in February. When asked about the student, Pacifico described her as, "highly ambitious and willing to explore all that the field of technology has to offer."

Smith rewarded Baubles by inviting her to be a guest at the Equal Pay Day celebration. There the student was acknowledged by Jarrett for her skill and dedication to career-technical education.

As for Baubles, the real treat came when she was introduced to Nancy Pelosi, minority leader of the House of Representatives, and Jonathan B. Jarvis, director of the United States National Park Service. "Most kids ask their parents to take them to Disneyland. I asked mine to go to Valley Forge (National Historic Park). National parks were a major part of my childhood," Baubles shared on the honor of meeting Jarvis.

When asked where she hopes to go next, the 15-year-old plans to stay in the technology field and is eager to learn more at GCIT. She plans to continue to serve as a student advisory board member at the prestigious Alice Paul Institute and combine her passion for women's rights with technology in the future. Meredith is an exemplary example of a GCIT student on the move.

One of the oldest standing homes in the Washington, D.C. area, the Belmont-Paul House has served as the headquarters for the National Woman's Party since 1929. There, over 600 pieces of legislation were drafted which helped encourage the move toward women's equality in Congress. The building is named for party leaders and benefactors Alva Belmont and Alice Paul.

The Alice Paul Institute was founded in 1984 to honor the legacy of Alice Paul's work for gender equality through education and leadership development.

This item submitted by Gloucester County Institute of Technology.

Gibbstown and Paulsboro students recognized at a special dinner

PAULSBORO -- The Gibbstown and Paulsboro Community Advisory Panel (GAPCAP) recently recognized winners of the 10th annual Poster and Writing Contest at a special dinner meeting.

Students in grades K-12 throughout Gibbstown and Paulsboro schools were encouraged to compose essays related to this year's theme "STEAM -- The Next Generation."  STEAM, a concept incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, is a new initiative being rolled out in classrooms in local school districts. 

This year's winners were selected from among nearly 400 entries from Greenwich Township School District, Guardian Angels Regional School, and Paulsboro School District. First-, second- and third-place winners were selected from each of the four grade-level categories. 

Students with winning entries were invited to attend a recognition dinner with their families. The students read their compositions and gave insights on their thoughts on the subject. Honorees were presented with gift certificates to Barnes and Noble.

This item submitted by the Gibbstown and Paulsboro Community Advisory Panel.

Rev. Phillip Henry was ordained and installed by the congregation as the new pastor

WASHINGTON TWP. -- Mercy Hill Presbyterian Church, located in Washington Township, reached a major milestone in their growth and development on April 24, when it went from a Mission Church of the New Jersey Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) to a particular church.

The Rev. Phillip Henry, organizing pastor of the church, presided over a ceremony in the presence of over 150 in attendance in which three Ruling Elders were ordained and the Organizing Pastor Rev. Henry himself, was installed by the congregation as their new pastor.

The Charge and Installation of elected elders, Scott Leary, Adam Moore and William Bausch, was led by Ruling Elder Timothy Maguire, of University Presbyterian Church (PCA), Orlando, Florida. In a meaningful moment, Leary's father, The Rev. Dr. James Leary, Elder of Stagecoach Road Christian Fellowship, Sicklerville, and regional executive director of Mission Mid-Atlantic, participated in the ceremonial laying on of hands on his son.

The joyous celebration was highlighted by pastors, elders and leader from over 15 different area churches, including the Rev. Larry Lazarus from Joy Community Fellowship, Pitman; Andrew Fletcher, ruling elder from Tenth Presbyterian Church (PCA), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Dean Macke, an elder from Jacobs Well Church, New Brunswick. Each pastor or church representative brought greetings and offered congratulations to the church, to the elders to be ordained, and the pastor to be installed. 

The enthusiasm and pledge of support that accompanied the proceedings was a recognition of the past progress of Mercy Hill Presbyterian Church, and an endorsement of its vision and newly installed leadership, and it raised a banner of Christian hope for progress and God's blessing in Washington Township, in South Jersey and beyond.

Mercy Hill Presbyterian Church is located just off Route 47, behind Holly Dell Ice Arena and down from the Margaret E. Heggan Township Library, on 1050 Holly Dell Court.. More information about the church can be found at www.mercyhillnj.org. The worship service and Sunday School are held on Sundays at 10 a.m.

This item submitted by Mercy Hill Presbyterian Church.

Mercer County Community College graduates will be able to complete their four-year degrees at Rowan University

WEST WINDSOR -- Rowan University is offering guaranteed admission to students who graduate from Mercer County Community College in one of 14 associate degree programs under a new agreement announced Wednesday.

"It's necessary for all schools in New Jersey to have access to all of our programs," said Jeff Hand, Rowan's vice president for strategic enrollment management. "We want to be as community college-friendly as we can. ... We are working actively to make sure no credits are wasted."

The programs included in the dual admission agreement are biology, business administration, chemistry, communication, computer information systems, computer science, criminal justice, education, engineering science, exercise science, liberal arts, mathematics, physics and sustainability.

MCCC students will be able to transfer to Rowan in a parallel major provided that they meet the prerequisite requirements and the 2.0 minimum grade point average, though business and engineering majors will require a higher GPA.

"We are delighted to participate in a plan that increases college attainment," MCCC President Jianping Wang said. "Education is the key to economic success and you can be sure that there are jobs waiting for the students of today that are in the fields that we can't even imagine."

The community college has guaranteed admission programs with seven other schools, including Rutgers, The College of New Jersey, Rider University and Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

This is a BYOFTC — Bring Your Own Food, Table, Chairs event

WOODBURY -- The second annual White Table Gala hosted by Main Street Woodbury at a secret Woodbury location to be announced the day of the event, will take place on June 4 beginning at 6 p.m.

The band Stained Glass will be providing live music followed by a disc jocket for dancing.

Guest should wear white. BYOFTC (Bring Your Own Food, Table, Chairs) and a white table cloth.

Tickets are $20 and are available www.mainstreetwoodbury.org or at Edwards Hairstyling, 14 S. Broad St.. You must be 21 or over to attend.

This item submitted by Main Street Woodbury.

The fourth annual drug reality forum is being held in Monroe Township to educate community on substance abuse resources.

MONROE TWP. -- Residents, law enforcement and local officials will gather to discuss drug use in the township on Thursday evening, putting an emphasis on opiate abuse.

The Monroe Township Municipal Alliance Commission will host the 4th annual Drug Reality Forum with the goal of promoting healthy conversations about drugs among families in area.

This year's forum will include the Mark Wahlberg Foundation's movie which depicts the reality of teen drug abuse. In addition, individuals who are on the front lines of the opiate epidemic will host a discussion panel. 

Some special discussion panelists include Randy Grimes, interventionist/recovery coach and retired NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneer; Vance Johnson, motivational physical trainer and retired NFL Denver Bronco; and Paul Fletcher, recovery coach and retired MLB pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. 

The forum will also include the traditional Remembrance Vigil, dedicating the evening to loved ones who've died from substance abuse.

Inside Monroe Township's heroin epidemic

Michele Perez, head of Municipal Alliance Commission in Williamstown, says all are welcome to attend.

"We don't ever want to put a barrier up to anyone looking for an educational experience," she said, adding that local politicians are also on board.

"We're in the process now where some of them want to sit down and talk," said Perez. "They want to hear more about it, and figure out what we're going to do."

The Drug Reality Forum will be held at 6 p.m. in the auditorium of Williamstown High School, at 700 N. Tuckahoe Rd. Local agencies, support groups and vendors will have information booths set up for the first hour during the resource exhibit, and speakers will go on at 7 p.m.

Upon arrival, attendees will receive a Recovery Resource Booklet full of local organizations who are available to help guide addicts through the recovery process.

For more information about the event, visit the Drug Reality Forum Facebook page. 

Caitlyn Stulpin may be reached at cstulpin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitstulpin. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The event will showcase local vendors, crafters and artists

WOODBURY -- On Saturday, May 14, Main Street Woodbury and Woodbury Merchant's and Professional Association are partnering to host Woodbury's third annual Spring Bazaar in Downtown Woodbury.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Local Ladies Social Network Inc. (LLSN) will showcase over 40 local vendors, featuring many crafters, local artists, direct sales, face painter and local merchants along South Broad Street. The event kicks off a series of bazaars planned for this year sponsored by LLSN Inc., Woodbury Merchant's and Professional Association and Main Street Woodbury.

Local Ladies Social Network will hold a summer bazaar on June 4 followed by a fall bazaar on Sept. 10 and a holiday bazaar on Nov.12.

Local Ladies Social Network Inc. is a local South Jersey network supporting women and promoting all local business. They organize events for vendors/crafters to participate in to bring business into local towns such as Woodbury. For more information: www.localladiessocialnetwork.com. Free membership.

This item submitted by the Local Ladies Social Network Inc.

Jack Scheidell praises the "opt-out" movement of parents who have their students refuse this standardized testing.

To the Editor:

The roots of a new revolution are found in the growing number of parents insisting upon their right to make decisions that impact their children's education. The "Opt Out" movement concerning standardized testing is the protest route for these parental voices. 

For decades, one could not find any substantial evidence of students opting-out of standardized testing, despite procedures allowing some families to do so. 

The New Jersey State Board of Education -- an unelected, unaccountable, sycophant of Gov. Chris Christie -- is trouncing on parental rights. The board's initial vote in April to use the PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) tests as a high-school graduation requirement came without any change in statues or regulations. This is another example of the board's exclusionary practices.

(The graduation requirement would start with the Class of 2021, whose members are currently seventh graders. The state board of education still must vote a second time for the requirement to be adopted.)

New Jersey is the only state planning to use the PARCC as an exit exam, and is one of only 13 states with an exit exam. Potential endangerment of thousands of students who many not graduate is looming, and civil lawsuits should be filed by them. 

The PARCC test was designed to measure proficiency under federal Common Core standards, and was not intended as a graduation exam. SAT and ACT college admission tests, which could be used as alternatives under the state's plan, are not designed as exit exams and can be expensive for students. The pending PARCC graduation mandate would minimize parents' ability to use their current refusal option. 

The state Department of Education's refusal to recognize the inappropriate use of PARCC is a mistake, a financial burden to school districts and an abuse of our children. Opt out!

Jack Scheidell

Turnersville

Avoid circuses with wild animals

To the Editor:

Cole Bros. Circus, which often visits South Jersey, is not touring this summer. But it is not the only circus that takes wild animals on the road or was cited by federal authorities on charges of mistreating animals.

The Kelly Miller Circus, currently slated for some South Jersey shows, is touring the country. So what if it takes animal exploitation to bring in revenue? Isn't making money what it's all about?

What is it that is so captivating to see pitiable animals held in a lifetime of captivity? A wild animal belongs in the wild, not in a cage.

The circus industry claims that it trains animals to do the types of tricks that they might naturally perform in the wild.  

If you think costumed bears lying on their backs spinning a giant ball, tigers jumping through flames, or elephants walking on their hind legs and balancing on their heads are natural behavior -- then, you try living their life for just one year.

No one wants the circus to disappear. But industry claims that life under the big top is wholesome and fun-loving could not be farther from the truth for the animals. They live a life of monotony and a brutal routine of boredom, stress and pain. Traveling animal acts perpetuate animal cruelty and inhumane care. 

More of us would love to go to the circus, as long as we didn't have to be part of the wretched spectacle of so-called animal performances.

Being oblivious to circus animal cruelty is no longer excusable. The reality of what the unenlightened are capable of doing is most disappointing.

Please do not attend circuses that use and violate animals for profit.

Adrienne Possenti

Vineland

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com 

The artwork is created by area cancer patients and survivors

WASHINGTON TWP. -- Area residents may purchase artwork created by area cancer patients and survivors to benefit Kennedy's Hope & Healing Patient Assistance Fund.

Janet B. Sellers of Pine Hill was one of several cancer survivors who submitted artwork in Kennedy Cancer Center's Cancer Survivor Spring Art Show, which launched April 27.

The Art Show's online Silent Auction features work from participants in the Cancer Center's free Art Discovery Workshops. Facilitated by Mount Laurel-based artist Mary Barnett, cancer survivors meet twice monthly to explore their creativity.

Auction art may be previewed at www.kennedycancer.org/healingartwork, or at the Kennedy Cancer Center, 900 Medical Center Drive in Washington Township, where it is on display on the second floor until May 23.