Balbi Enterprises, Inc.

announces the opening of their new Recycling Center, open to the public six days a week at their Route 521, Blairstown, NJ headquarters. The new Recycling Center will provide Warren and Sussex County residents and small businesses, regardless of town residency, with a convenient location to drop off all kinds of materials for recycling. From junk mail to empty paint cans, metal swing sets to electronics are accepted and be assured, all of it will be recycled responsibly and correctly.

The Recycling Center is accepting glass, paper, gable top containers, junk mail, magazines, and number 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7 plastics comingled together. Cardboard, newspaper and

metal are also accepted and need to be separated. Electronics are accepted for a very small fee if they are whole and unaltered, regardless of whether or not they are in working condition.

The new Recycling Center is located at 48 Hope Road, Blairstown and is open to all, Monday though Friday 8:30am to 5pm and Saturday from 8:30am to noon. Balbi Enterprises is a family owned and operated company, in business since 1969, and continues to offer residential and commercial garbage collection services to Warren and Sussex Counties. Please call 908-3625690 for more information or with any questions you may have about materials to be recycled.

Todd Cramer, Executive Director of Noahs Ark Animal Welfare Association, Inc. will be presenting a program for the Presbyterian Women at the First Presbyterian Church of Blairstown, 1 Main Street on Saturday, January 14th at 9am in Fellowship Hall on the first floor. The public is

welcome to attend. Todd will be speaking about innovative programs at Noahs Ark, the running of an animal welfare association as well as his experiences working with the ASPCA on disaster relief programs Todd was involved in the pet rescue and reuni-

fication efforts following the tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri and other areas of natural disasters. He will also be bringing a few adoptable pets. This should be a very interesting program. For more information, please call the church office at 908-362-7887.

North Warren Regional High Schools Brittany Lee was announced as Tournament MVP on December 29th, 2011. The Lady Patriots basketball team played a great final game of their

Holiday Tournament against Notre Dame East Stroudsburg. North Warren dominated their opponent, 60-32, and became the Holiday Tournament champions.

After the game, North Warren Athletic Director John Simonetti presented Brittany Lee with her award as the tournaments Most Valuable Player. Check out this weeks

edition of The PRESS to view photos of the game. Photos from this game and others can also be viewed and purchased online at www.printroom.com/ pro/thepress.

American Legion Post 446 in Alpha, will be holding a meeting at the Alpha Fire Company Building, West Central and Lee Avenue, on Monday, February 13th at 1pm. All war era veterans are invited to attend. For more information, call Joe Becker at 908-9957896 for more information. The next regular meeting of the North Warren Democratic Club will be held at 7:30pm on Wednesday, January 25th, in the meeting room of the Catherine Dickson Hofman Library on Lambert Road, Blairstown. They will be discussing the new

Legislative Districts and possible candidates to run against Scott Garrett. At each meeting items are collected for local food pantries. Guests are always welcome. For more information please contact Fred or Carol Cook at 908-362-6808. Relay For Life of North Warren Kick Off event will be held on February 2nd, 2012 from 6-8 pm at the Evangelical Free Church of Blairstown. Please come see what Relay For Life is all about and sign up your team. Snow date will be February 3rd. Please RSVP by January 27th to Brandie Engelberger at brandie.engelberger

@ cancer.org or call 973-285-8029. Save the date for the 2012 Relay For Life will be held on June 9th and 10th at North Warren High School. Please visit the website to register at www.relayforlife.org/n orthwarrennj. Country music fans can enjoy a night of entertaining fun when Country Comfort takes the "stage" at Hunter's Lodge on Saturday night January 21st. Country Comfort, one of the region's top country bands, is scheduled to play from 8pm to 11pm. Hunter's Lodge, which has an expensive menu of specialty burgers as well as sandwiches, steaks, fish and chicken dishes, is on Route 46 in Knowlton Township (next to the old Knowlton Riverfest site). For further information, call 908-475-0060. Bring your old, broken, mismatched or simply unwanted Gold and Silver (Jewelry, Coins, Watches) to the Catherine Dickson Hofman Branch, 4

Lambert Rd., Blairstown, on Saturday, January 14th, between 10am and 2pm. Mobile Gold will be on hand offering the most cash on the spot. They are licensed, bonded, and all scales are registered with the Department of Weights and Measures. For more information, call 908-752-3275. On Wednesday, February 22nd at 7pm, the Warren County Library Headquarters welcomes you to Pajama Storytime. This is a half-hour program featuring a selection of stories for the whole family. Don't' forget to wear your PJs. Sign-up is not necessary. For further information, please contact them at 908-475-6322 or visit at www.warrenlib.org. We love hearing from you! Send your birthdays, anniversaries, and other tidbits of information to: The PRESS PO Box 430, Blairstown, NJ 07825
thepressnews@enter.net thepressnewsonline.com

The following is a list of books recently added to the Warren County Library collection. Non-Fiction: Tasting Freedom: Octavius Catto and the Battle for Equality in Civil War America, By Daniel R. Biddle. From Temple Univ Press; One from the Hart, By Stefanie Powers. From Gallery; A Promise at Sobibor: A Jewish Boy's Story of Revolt and Survival in Nazi-Occupied Poland, By Philip ""Fiszel"" Bialowitz. From University of Wisconsin Press; How to Make Your Car Last Forever (Motorbooks Workshop), By Thomas Torbjornsen. From Motorbooks; and The Abacus and the Cross: The Story of the Pope Who Brought the Light of Science to the Dark Ages, By Nancy Marie Brown. From Basic Books. Personal Growth: Winning the Battle Against Prostate Cancer: Get the Treatment That is Right for You, By Gerald Chodak. From Demos Health; The Big Book of Family Eye Care: A Contemporary Reference for Vision and Eye Health, By Joseph DiGirolamo. From Basic Health Publications, and Thunder of Heaven: A Joshua Jordan Novel (End Series, The), By Tim LaHaye. From Zondervan. Fiction: Dead Reckon-

ing (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 11), By Charlaine Harris. From Ace Hardcover; 10th Anniversary (Women's Murder Club), By James Patterson. From Little, Brown and Company; A Drop of the Hard Stuff, By Lawrence Block. From Mulholland Books; Sixkill (Spenser Mystery), By Robert B. Parker. From Putnam Adult; and The Informant: An Otto Penzler Book, By Thomas Perry. From Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Children: Let The Whole Earth Sing Praise, By Tomie dePaola. From Putnam Juvenile; Biscuit and the Lost Teddy Bear (My First I Can Read), By Alyssa Satin Capucilli. From HarperCollins; Forever Fingerprints: An Amazing Discovery for Adopted Children, By Sherrie Eldridge. From EMK Press; The Magically Mysterious Adventures of Noelle the Bulldog, By Gloria Estefan. From Rayo; Five Little Chicks , By Nancy Tafuri. From Little Simon; Madeline at the White House, By John Bemelmans Marciano. From Viking Juvenile; and I Wished for You: an Adoption Story (Mom's Choice Award Recipient, Book of the Year Award, Creative Child Magazine), By Marianne R Richmond. From Marianne Richmond Studios.

Comcast Cable Picks Up Tornado, Blizzard Combined To Inspire Meteorology Career New TV Show, The Bongo For Christina Speciale, East Brunswick High Shool Graduate into whatever we need While with Boy Rock n Roll Show cousins instaying Island her to do." Staten
The Bongo Boy Rock n Roll show is an entertaining, informative and locally produced TV show. Their first show was aired back in October 2011, with the assistance of Dick Craig; now only a few months later it has gained an increasing growing audience and have an exciting new upcoming season planned. Monique Grimme said; who is the producer/director of the TV show. The Bongo Boy Rock n Roll show airs on Channel 21 on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:30pm. The upcoming January and February shows will cover an exclusive interview with songwriter, guitarist & vocalist Gar Francis aka blues musician Plainfield Slim. Bongo Boys TV host Wayne Oliver is funny and direct. His interviewing style leads you through years of music history and some great surprises. It covers the music scene from the early 70' at CBGB's , as they talk about The Rockids, Oliver Wilde, Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli, Ricochet, The Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, Billy Idol, The Gar Francis Band, Plainfield Slim, The Doughboys and much more. Most of you know Gar Francis from his band, Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawgs, which has performed at the Warren County Farmers Fair with the Tri State Equine Riding Team d uring their different style of riding horse demo in August each year. You may have seen him also at the Washington Festival In The Borough in October or at the first Mini Blues Festival in the Chapel at Centenary College with Peter Tork In Hackettstown? Learn more about the music business and hear about how a great original song called "Black Sheep made The Doughboys Little Steven Van Zandt's favorite Garage Rock band today. Watch how Gar Francis was a part of what is now history and displayed in museums around the world. This show has something for everyone! You will find yourself glued to your TV set. Just remember there are no commercial breaks, so embrace yourself for 30 minutes of pure entertainment, education, lots of fun and laughter, as you watch these two seasonal professional musicians take you on an journey of musical treasures with an occasional stop for some honest great live music performances clips. Producer/Director/ Editor of the Bongo Boy Rock n Roll Show is Belvideres native Monique Grimme and she is calling out for other interesting topics, people or artists that like to be the next guest on the TV show. Recording of the show takes place at SHOWTIME Boutique in Belvidere, NJ. Please contact Monique at mgrimme @aol.com for details. in 1995, 7-year old Christina Speciale knew something different-and dangerous--was going on when a window blew open and the family raced into the basement as gusting winds churned outside. "It was a tornado," Christina recalled. "I was scared, but that day I got hooked on the weather." A year later, the Blizzard of 1996 left piles of snow outside her East Brunswick home. That, she says, "was the icing on the cake." When her sixth grade teacher, Miss Vogel, at Hammarskjold Middle School asked Speciale what she wanted to be when she grew up, she didn't hesitate. "I want to be a meteorologist," she declared. The 2011 graduate of Rutgers University's Meteorology program At WeatherWorks, Speciale has an assortment of duties, including preparing daily forecasts for clients throughout the Northeast, answering emergency inquiries, preparing updates for radio stations, and collecting data for weather-related forensic cases. Over half of New Jersey's county road departments, from Sussex in the north to Atlantic in the south, depend on reports from WeatherWorks to help coordinate their road clearing efforts and effectively manage both equipment and personnel. Other WeatherWorks clients include the Connecticut Department of Transportation, professional football teams, and the New York City Sanitation Department. For more, visit weather worksinc.com.

(one of only a handful of women in her graduating class) has reached that goal. She recently joined the staff of Hackettstown based WeatherWorks, New Jersey's largest privately owned weather consulting forecast firm, also among the largest in the Northeast. She is the only woman meteorologist at WeatherWorks. "You could say that I've always been fascinated with weather," said Speciale, a 2007

graduate of East Brunswick High School. Ironically, Speciale's first day of training at WeatherWorks was cancelled, due to the weather! She was supposed to start on the day of the "freak" snow storm in late October. "Christina clearly has a love for the weather," said Frank Lombardo, founder and president of WeatherWorks. "She's really enthusiastic about it and isn't afraid to roll up her sleeves and delve

Hope Twp. Recreation Registrations

Hope Township baseball, softball and tee ball registration will be held from January 17th to 27th. Forms can be downloaded at www. hoperec.com. You can mail the forms in or drop them off at the municipal building, Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm. Forms will not be acceped after January 27th unless teams are not full. If you have any questions, please contact Kim Tighe at 908-4594989.

Hope Chamber Meeting Focuses on QR Codes

The Hope Area Chamber of Commerce's January meeting will focus on one of the newest forms of marketing - QR Codes. The January 25th meeting will take place at the Inn at Millrace Pond, at 7pm. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Christine Rusin, owner of Parashoot Productions and a member of the chamber, will be doing the presentation. QR Codes are quickly becoming one of the more important forms of marketing, particularly targeting people with Smart Phones. Find out how QR Codes can help your business. For further information about the chamber, call 908-459-5100.

Warren County Library Announces January Closings

The Headquarters and all branches of the Warren County Library will be closed Monday, January 16th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, January 17th with facilities opening at 9am. Library patrons who wish to access their accounts, view the library catalog, or search electronic databases can do so by visiting the library's website at www. warrenlib.org.

Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council Hosts Artists Choice Show and Reception
Which of their pieces would an artist choose to show others if they could pick only a few from all their current work? Without the restrictions of the curators theme, with no limitation on size or medium, and no one but themselves to judge, which works of art would the artist want to exhibit? Would the artist pick what he or she believes is their best work, the piece that is outside the norm and never quite fit into other shows, or maybe one thats a favorite for a personal reason? These are probably good guesses, but the real reason why an artist would choose one opening reception on January 14th from 4pm to 6pm. All artwork will be for sale and light refreshments will be served. The gallery is located in the Sussex County Arts and Heritage Councils office at 133 Spring Street, Newton, NJ. The show continues through February 4th and can be viewed Tuesday through Friday from 9am to 3pm and Saturday from 12pm to 4pm. More information about other gallery shows, community events, and becoming a member of the council can be found on the councils Website at www.scahc.org, or by calling 973-383-0027.

artwork instead of another is known only to him or herself. Maybe the reason doesnt matter, since its the artwork youll be looking at in the Artists Choice Show at the Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council Gallery. This is the first time the Council is presenting

this kind of exhibition, and from the response from the artists and quality of the works of art, it might become a yearly event. For those of you with inquisitive minds who want to know the why behind the artwork, or the how, or the when, you can ask the artists about their choices at the

Belvideres Bryan Mason looks to drive to the basket during the game on January 5th. Belvidere lost to Pen Argyl, 66-59.

Dale Young/The PRESS

We have lived in Hardwick for twelve years and our son Kyle is currently a sophomore at Blair Academy. In early December Kyle was injured while competing in a wrestling tournament. His final prognosis is not yet known but we are surely aware that the injury could have been far worse than it seems to be at this point. As word of the incident spread through our appreciably small community we were overwhelmed by the outpouring of concern, support and well wishes. We received numerous emails, phone calls, cards, gifts, offers of help and even unexpected visits. We heard from former classmates and teammates, coaches, neighbors and friends. In this season of giving we would like to express our sincerest thanks to everyone for their love and kindness, their prayers and thoughtfulness. We would like to wish all of them and their families a very Happy New Year. Thank you all, The Jacksic Family To the person or persons responsible for the theft of the Blairstown Police Department Banner in front of 26 Main Street between 12/17 and 12/19/2011. It's inconceivable what joy you can get out of stealing. You are the scum of the earth. When you are caught and you will be caught, you will be prosecuted to the max. A $100.00 reward is being offered for information leading to your arrest. Anyone with information please contact Detective Nicholas Falciccio of the Blairstown Police Department at 908-362-7668. Jon Thomas Cramer

WCCC Graduates First Floriculture Design and Merchandising Class

Warren County Community Colleges newest program, Floriculture Design and Merchandising, has its first graduates! Joni Pollock, Chris Chiu, and Jennifer Lynn Perry recently completed the 10-week, 200-hour course, giving them the skills and background to break into the expanding floriculture design and merchandising field. Held at the new Phillipsburg Education Center, students learn everything from the fundamentals of floriculture, identification of flowers and plant materials, and terminology of the floral industry, to principles of design and color, and how to create unique floral designs. The program focuses on the six basic floral designs: Mass, Line, Vertical Line Mass, Horizontal Line Mass, Weathered Wood, and Fruit and Vegetable Design. The course also instills take place May 24. Prerequisites for the class include High School Diploma or GED, and also proof of car insurance. Students will also be responsible for providing certain supplies including a tool kit costing approximately $40-$50, an apron with pockets, design scissors, calculator, and portfolio album. Flowers, containers, and all other materials and supplies are included in the cost of tuition. This class will adhere to OSHA and Worker Protection Standards through the duration of the course. To register for this, or any other CE classes, or to get additional information, call the WCCC Department of Continuing Education at 908-689-7613. Warren County Community College offers a wide range of certificate, continuing education, and degree programs designed to help students enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year college or university. Providing students in Warren County and the surrounding areas with a convenient and costeffective way to further ones education and career goals, WCCC is truly committed to "Learning Without Limits." For more information on WCCC, visit www.warren.edu or call 908-835-9222.

students with the financial and managerial know-how to increase business growth and establish a strong customer base. During the program, students visit flower distribution centers and floral shows. All three graduates have

big plans. Pollock, from Phillipsburg, has started Creations By Joni, offering an array of seasonal items and with hopes of someday opening up a green house. Chiu, of New Village, focuses her attention on earthy all natural floral designs under the name, Earths Splendors. Lynn Perry, a resident of White Township, is specializing in the bridal

industry. Her company name is La Belle Fleur. The next offering of this course begins Friday, March 16 and will subsequently run four days a week from Monday through Thursday. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday sessions will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Thursday classes will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The final class will

WBID Needs Input on Best Businesses

The Washington Business Improvement District wants the community's input as they honor the top Borough businesses at its annual Business Recognition Reception on February 10th. Residents are encouraged to vote for the People's Choice Business Awards! Tickets are $25 each. The voting categories are Beauty/Barber; Automotive; Retail Shop; Food & Drink; and Service. The deadline for entries is January 20th. Voting forms can be found at washington bid.org. Fax your selections to 908-689-8444, or email admin@ washingtonbid.org.

Kids Enjoy Wacky Wednesdays with Blairstown Recreation

Blairstown Recreation is offering Wacky Wednesdays for grades pre-first through third on Wednesday, February 22nd and 29th from 3:15pm to 4:30pm in the Blairstown Elementary School gym. Wacky Wednesdays are filled with exercise, laughs and socialization. Children are invited to work off steam from a hard day at school by participating in fun games and activities. Registration is currently accepted at the Recreation Office on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8am to 1pm. Mail-in and drop-off box registrations are accepted. The fee is $18 for resident children. Registration will not be accepted after the program is filled.

The Tax 411: Changes Impacting Your Tax Return This Year House of Good Shepherd Will Host Tax Savings for (NAPSI)Three out ing information late will age received between taxpayers need forms of four taxpayers result in IRS penalties March and December and schedules that are Seniors Seminar only included in overreceived a refund from that have increased this 2011.
Uncle Sam last year, averaging $2,805. This years amount should be about the same, thanks to a few major tax law changes expiring or added during 2011. Although your bottom line may change little, there are changes you should be aware of for this years tax return. Unless lawmakers extend them, this will be the last year to claim several well-known tax breaks, according to TaxACT spokesperson Jessi Dolmage. Take advantage of them while you still can. With 2012 being an election year, its anyones guess as to what changes could be in store for next years return. Before you do your taxes, read this summary of the more notable changes that may affect your federal return this year. The filing deadline is Tuesday, April 17, 2012, because April 15 is a Sunday and Washington, D.C., is recognizing Emancipation Day on April 16. Dont use the later deadline as an excuse to procrastinate, though. When you rush, youre more likely to make mistakes that could cost you money and time. Furthermore, filing, paying or providyear. Your 2011 tax return could be your last chance to claim one of the credits for energyefficient home improvements as well as deductions for tuition and fees, educator expenses, mortgage insurance premiums, and the option to include your state and local sales taxes paid as an itemized deduction (in lieu of state and local income taxes paid). The Making Work Pay Tax Credit and Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit (unless it was a new fuel-cell vehicle) that you could claim last year have expired. The Making Work Pay Tax Credit was essentially replaced by the payroll tax holiday for 2011, which employees and the selfemployed already received in 2011 paychecks through a reduction in FICAOASDI Social Security taxes. Unlike the Making Work Pay Tax Credit, employees who benefited from the payroll tax holiday dont need to claim it on this years tax return. The amount of the Health Coverage Tax Credit decreased to 72.5 percent for qualified health insurance cover If you converted a traditional IRA to a designated Roth IRA in 2010 or rolled over a qualified retirement plan to a Roth IRA, but did not report the taxable amount on your 2010 tax return (due April 2011), you must report half the amount on this years return and the other half on your 2012 return. Details are available in IRS Publication 575 at www.irs.gov. Amounts for standard mileage, standard deductions, personal exemptions and the Alternative Minimum Tax have increased. Note that there are different standard mileage rates for miles driven before July 1 and after June 30. Details about all increases and other tax law changes can be found in IRS Publication 17. Online and downloadable tax preparation programs make navigating tax law changes easy. When choosing your software, Dolmage reminds you to carefully weigh your options, especially if youre using a free solution. Make sure it covers your tax situation. Many free federal products only cover simple returns, like Form 1040EZ returns. Most priced solutions. Dolmage says TaxACT Free Federal Edition is for simple and complex returns, including those with itemized deductions and income from self-employment, investments, rental properties and farms. TaxACT also includes free federal e-filing, guarantees for maximum refund and accuracy, and unlimited free tax help via e-mail. For more information about tax law changes, visit www.irs.gov and www.taxact.com/taxinf o. Learn more about TaxACT Free Federal Edition at www.taxact.com. People of all ages should have a wellestablished understanding of how to best manage their money, particularly seniors who generally live on fixed incomes. With this idea in mind, CPAs Deirdre Hartmann and Marcia Geltman of Nisivoccia LLP, will present Tax Savings For Seniors at The House of the Good Shepherd Continuing Care Retirement Community in Hackettstown on January 23rd. The House is located at 798 Willow Grove Street. The program begins at 2pm. Hartmann and Geltman will cover a wide variety of pertinent tax savings topics. Discussion points will include tax organization using Defer Income and Accelerated Expenses, Retirement Plan distribution, Gifting considerations, the tax benefits of allotting charitable donations via retirement plans, tips on how to avoid tax audit, strategies for handling high cost medical expenses, and an overview on estate planning. The event is free, however prior RSVP is required. Interested parties are asked to contact Christine Garofalo at 908-684-5722 by January 16th.

Hunters Lodge Presents Country Comfort

Country music fans are invited to enjoy a night of entertaining fun when Country Comfort takes the stage at Hunter's Lodge on Saturday night, January 21st. Country Comfort, one of the region's top country bands, is scheduled to play from 8pm to 11pm. Hunter's Lodge, which has an expansive menu of specialty burgers as well as sandwiches, steaks, fish and chicken dishes and more, is located on Route 46 in Knowlton Township (next to the old Knowlton Riverfest site). For further information, call 908-475-0060.

Postmaster to Speak at Blair Womans Club Meeting

On January 17th, Blair Woman's Club will meet at the library on Lambert Road at 12:30pm. This month's speaker will be the Postmaster who will talk about the U.S. Postal Service. The meeting is open to community women who are curious about the club and would enjoy listening to the speaker. The snow date is January 24th. Ladies are asked to bring a food item to share with the local food pantries.

Take A Break From Home Improvement, Chores

(NewsUSA) - For the young homeowner, each year presents a new set of home improvement projects. The year 2012 is no different. As each task -- from kitchen remodeling to hardwood floor installation -- is completed, you can feel the momentum building. Inching your way ever closer to the ultimate dream-home goal, you keep pressing. But too much of one thing is rarely good. That's why 2012 is the year to supplement your home improvement pace with some fun filled activities designed to reduce stress. Here are five ideas that can help you feel renewed while you continue your home improvement dream: 1. Get out of the house. strengthen that bond. If you are a single bachelor, grab some cards and poker chips. A Texas hold 'em poker night will be a great way to ease some stresses and can also bring some buddies who can help with larger projects in your house. 4. Keep up with your favorite hobby. Even if you think that your home improvement project is your hobby, you need to find something else to take your mind off of it for a while. 5. Have a party. Break up your home improvement projects into weekly tasks. As each task is completed, throw yourself a small bash to celebrate. When the festivities subside, regroup and refocus.

Your Garden: 5 Pruning Tips

(NAPSI)Pruning shrubs helps produce new and healthier growth plus keeps them at a manageable size. Here are a few tips: 1. Cut at an angle a quarter of an inch above a bud. If the cut is any closer, the bud may not survive and the branch will die. 2. Prune flowering shrubs in late winter or early spring, before they flower, or, for springflowering shrubs, after they flower. 3. Every few years, remove about one-third of the branchesincluding dead, weak and diseased branches. 4. Winter-hardy shrubs die back to the ground each year. In the spring, cut off all dead branches to about six inches from the ground. 5. Start with the right cutting and collecting tools. For example, The Gardeners Hollow Leg is a handy recycled polyester sack with a belt attached that can reduce the need to bend over. Worn around the waist, the sack leaves hands free to collect trimmings and debris, deadhead or harvest, making it safer for ladder tasks, too. Comfortable and ergonomically correct, the sack eliminates lugging around a bucket or creating piles of clippings that must later be picked up. A strap on the bottom makes it easy to dump debris when the job is done.

Put down that hammer and take your mind off that latest home improvement project. Whether you are simply going for a walk or taking a weekend camping trip with the family, some time away from your canvas can rejuvenate those creative juices. Trips to art galleries can be especially helpful as new themes spark creative ideas that make your home improvement job more enjoyable. 2. Watch a funny movie. Sometimes all you need is a good laugh to rebuild your spirits and relax your tired brain. 3. Start a weekly game night. If you have a family, board games are a great way to

Home Hints: Healthy, Money-Smart, Sustainable Living

(NAPSI)Small decisions can make a big difference over time on your carbon footprint, and some of the greenest decisions you can make begin at home. Fortunately, there are several easy, affordable ways to lead a greener lifestyle at home. 1. Get some fresh air. From the cleaning supplies you use to the off-gassing of new furniture, carpet and paint, your home carries airborne toxins that can cause health problems if they become trapped and increase in density. Counteract this by bringing fresh air inside. Your green action: Intermittently open windows on opposite sides of a house to encourage a crossbreeze. In a two-story house, open a window downstairs and a window upstairs. As warm air rises, it will exit the top-floor window. In places like kitchens and bathrooms, where moisture can accumulate and trigger mold growth if left unaddressed, spot ventilation can be achieved with exhaust fans. Its also important in rooms with gas appliances to offset carbon monoxide. Exhaust fans can be noisy. Look for those rated 2.0 sones or less. 2. You hold the power. Being money smart may mean rethinking the way you use gas and electricity in the home. Your green action: Take care of your appliances for maximum energy efficiency. Plugged-in appliances consume energy even when they are turned off or in standby mode. This phantom load, particularly from power adapters, computers and TVs, can account for as much as 10 percent of your homes energy consumption. Place power strips throughout the house and shut down power at the outlet versus on the appliance. Also, make sure your appliances are operating at maximum efficiency. Clean your dryers lint trap after every load and scrub it with an old toothbrush once a month to get rid of the film left behind by dryer sheets. Clean your refrigerator coils, which can accumulate dust, at least once a year. Pull the refrigerator away from the wall and unplug it. Then remove the cover panel on the back to expose the coils and use a long-handled brush or handheld vacuum to remove dust. 3. Be water wise. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a family of four in the United States uses about 400 gallons of water daily--70 percent of which is for indoor use. Your green action: Install low-flow plumbing fixtures. Highefficiency clothes washers and dishwashers are ideal but they can be expensive. An alternative is installing lowflow showerheads and faucet aerators. A lowflow showerhead can save a household up to 2,300 gallons of water a year. A faucet aerator attaches to the end of a faucet and slows the water flow, while adding air to maintain water pressure. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends aerators with a maximum flow rate of one gallon per minute. You can find more good energyand money-saving ideas online at KellerInk.com or Facebook.com/ GreenYourHome.

Page 12

The PRESS

January 11, 2012

OLMC School Plans Open House

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School will host its annual Open House on Sunday, January 29th, from 11am to 2pm. The Open House, which is a prelude to Catholic Schools Week, will provide an opportunity for prospective students and their parents to tour the school, meet with teachers and administration, and visit with current students and parents. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School also welcomes community members to visit the school. The Open House will also provide attendees with an opportunity to view a few of the many activities in which the students participate. Art work will be on display as well as other works created by current students. Entertainment provided by the students will include performances by the Recorder Club members and the choir. The entertainment will occur between noon and 1pm. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School is a Catholic School located in the Allentown Diocese. The school offers a faith-based education for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. If you are unable to attend, call 610-5882629 for a personal tour.

Warren County Library Headquarters Plans To Move From Current Location

Board of Chosen Freeholders will purchase 12 acres in White Township
The headquarters of the Warren County Library system will move in about a year under a plan advanced by the Board of Chosen Freeholders with the purchase of a new location. The freeholders voted unanimously on a $7.48 million acquisition of two existing buildings, located on 12 acres next to the Countys complex on Route 519 in White Township. The purchase is a very cost-effective way to resolve the library issues that weve had in the past, Freeholder Director Everett A. Chamberlain said, adding that county residents will benefit from the move. Property owner Branch Packaging Group will finish the interiors of the two buildings, which are 15,000 square feet each, and provide a turn-key project to the county. One building will be home to the new library headquarters, replacing the current cramped space in the Courthouse Annex in Belvidere, while the other will house divisions of the county Department of Human Services, including the Division of Administration and the county Adjuster located in the Cummins Building in Belvidere, and the

Freeholder Director Everett A. Chamberlain and Robert Van Volkenburgh, president of property owner Branch Packaging Group, shake hands on the deal for the County to acquire two buildings from Branch Packaging to use for the Warren County Library headquarters and Department of Human Services offices. With them are Freeholder Richard D. Gardner and Freeholder Jason J. Sarnoski. Division of Temporary Assistance and Social Services, which also is in the Courthouse Annex. The facility is next to the county Road Department headquarters and near the Wayne Dumont, Jr. Administration Building and other County facilities. This has been a long time coming, said Freeholder Richard D. Gardner, who explained, The library has been temporarily located in their space for approximately 38, going on 39 years. This is going to be a great improvement to the library system overall. Freeholder Jason J. Sarnoski said county citizens will be proud to know the freeholders undertook a detailed process to decide on the purchase, and considered many options. We had the discussions continuously until we felt comfortable and, going forward, were proceeding in the right way, Sarnoski said. Thats going to result in a better price for the people of Warren County, a better facility, and a better project overall. Im looking forward to seeing the finished project. I think our patrons are going to be as excited and delighted to use this facility as the patrons of the new Northeast Branch, Gardner remarked, referring to the branch in Independence Township that relocated to a larger facility in May and has seen usage surge since then. Gardner noted that parking and ease of access at the new location are just superior to the current facility in Belvidere. The freeholders first began considering the locat ion two years ago, after plans for new construction to accommodate the library, Human Services and other county functions were put aside due to the high cost. Its been a long process, Chamberlain said, noting the freeholders also looked at other buildings around the county after realizing it was not financially feasible to build a new facility. One of the most important things is were not bonding, were not going into debt, Chamberlain said, explaining the project will be paid for out of capital fund dollars that have been set aside over time. I think the taxpayers of Warren County will be very appreciative of that. Were being very good stewards of their taxpayer dollars, he commented. Robert Van Volkenburgh, president of Branch Packaging Group, said his company was in discussions over the course of two years before finalizing the deal to finish the buildings and sell them to the County in move-in condition. Im happy that we were able to come up with a product that I believe the County will be very happy with, he said.

Hardwick's Dana Named Chair of WCCC Board of Trustees

Craig Dana of Hardwick Township was recently named the new Chairman of the Warren County Community College Board of Trustees at the board's reorganization meeting. Dana, a Trustee for the past five years, is a longtime attorney with years of experience representing school boards throughout Warren and Sussex counties. He is now semi-retired although he is still the judge of the Joint Municipal Court of North Warren. "The college is on an absolute roll over the past five years," said Dana. "It is accomplishing a lot of good things not only for the students but for the larger community." Dana pointed to the opening of the college's new Phillipsburg Education Center as an example of being there for the community. "The ripple effect (of the Phillipsburg Education Center) will be of great benefit throughout the region," and for students of all backgrounds, he noted. "We make educational opportunities available for people so that they can help themselves," Dana said. "The college is offering endeavors that in the past were not available. We are making it easier for people to reinvent themselves if they need to." "Craig is a natural leader," said Dr. Will Austin, President of WCCC. "He has a feel for not only the educational system in the county but perhaps more importantly, the needs of the community." While Dana may be the "Chair", he insists that it is a team effort, from the board on down. "It's a collaborative effort," he said. "I'm just the coordinator you might say. The board is made up of a really good group of people with a wealth of diverse talent who are there for one reason - to make the college better. But the real success of our college is because of the people in the trenches everyday - the staff, faculty and administration." Looking into the future, Dana is looking forward to efforts to open up the proposed health center at Hackettstown Regional Medical Center. A former senior partner with Morris, Downing & Sherred in Newton for 35 years, Dana was also quite active in a number of other endeavors. He was the former General Counsel for First Hope Bank, he is past chair for Newton Memorial Hospital, and is also a former Trustee at Blair Academy. A graduate of Colgate University and later William & Mary Law School, Dana spent three and a half years in the Navy with the JAG Corp. He has been married to his wife Mary, a realtor, for over 40 years. They have two grown children and two grandchildren. Originally from Hackensack, they moved to Hardwick in 1981. Dana replaced David Boone as Chair. WCCC has been serving Warren County since 1981, providing an affordable, high quality education in a broad range of fields of interest. For more information about WCCC and its degree and non-degree programs, visit www.warren.edu.