A conversation with Rebecca Timms

In this episode of  the “Lubetkin on Communications Podcast” we present a conversation with Rebecca Timms of Haddon Heights, NJ, a Rowan University junior who is serving as 2009-2010 national president of the Public Relations Student Society of America. Read Rebecca’s official biography on the PRSSA website.

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What does an abortion debate have to do with the Collingswood Farmers Market?

Good question! And one I believe needs lots of discussion by the supporters of the Market.

First, I love the Collinswood Farmers Market. Of course there is all the wonderful produce, then the plants, the baked goods, the crafts, the wonderful entertainment, the great local businesses supporting the event - and then...

This last Saturday, July 25th, a religious based anti-abortion group was given space next to the local businesses. Complete with a tasteless basket of fetuses (plastic, thankfully) and multiple uterine cut aways. Really, is this the place for such a politically and emotionally charged issue to be aired? Regardless of anyone's personal stance, this was plain vulgar.

I overheard many comments, especially from parents with young children, that ran from, "Oh, great!" to, "Nut job," to the more colorful and unprintable. One mother turned to her companion, remarking "Now what am I supposed to tell my kids?" They appeared to be little more than 5 to 6 years old. In her place, I would have been furious!

We did ask one of the businesses who was unfortunately (and prior to this day, unknowingly) sharing the table and learned that was a complimentary table for the local businesses that support the market. Are anti-abortionists, wearing t-shirts promoting  specific religious institutions businesses? If anyone can have a table, was Planned Parenthood NJ invited and where is the line drawn?

There are too many other area markets who exercise taste and common sense; isn't anyone concerned about the fallout for the City of Collingswood to appear to be supporting any side of an issue such as this?

In praise of the juicer technology at Tortilla Press

Tortilla Press gets all kinds of attention for its food and festive decor, but so little love for its drinks. In particular, the fresh-squeezed variety.

Though you don't always get to see their massive Zumex juicer in action, it's still a thing of beauty. And, as i was reminded at lunch there today, it produces the most reliably delicious glasses of Lemonade this side of the Delaware.

If only I could afford to have one of these bad boys in my home.

Sportz Dogz closes

Douglas M. Bovitt/COURIER-POST

After less than a year in business, Sportz Dogz at the LumberYard in Collingswood has closed. No word yet on a replacement.

PHOTO GALLERY: A look at the eatery's fascination with hot dogs.

Don’t Miss Pocahontas

UPCOMING EVENT:

Title: Summer Theater - Pocahontas
Location: Middle School Auditorium
Link out: Click here
Description: Collingswood Summer Theatre presents "POCAHONTAS".
The Collingswood Summer Theatre sponsored by the Collingswood Schools will perform the children's musical "Pocahontas".

Performances are on Tuesday, July 28th, Wednesday, July 29th and Thursday, July 30th at 7:30 pm with a matinee on Thursday, July 30th at 1:30 pm at the Collingswood Middle School's air-conditioned auditorium at 414 Collings Avenue.

General Admission tickets are $6.00 each and are available at the door.

The theatre workshop, under the direction of Mrs. Barbara Lefkoe and Mrs. Annemarie Dunn, is in its 15th season.

"Pocahontas" is a story of an Algonquin princess who helps the settlers of Jamestown.

Over 65 student performers in grades 3 through 8 will present this magical tale featuring original songs, lively dances, adventure and suspense. It''s sure to be fun for the whole family!

For more information or group sales, call 856-854-1514.

Should the Farmers Market’s bizarro layout become permanent?

I've thought about this long and hard. Didn't want to jump to any conclusions on Saturday, right after getting home from the Collingswood Farmers Market. But now that I've had a few days to let it marinate, it's clear to me that the new, bizarro, Patco-required layout of the Market is actually an improvement.

The new layout, which moved the usual long line of booths that stretch down the Patco tracks, into a Moroccan bazaar maze stretching from the town hall parking lot and down Irvin and a bit of Atlantic, was a refreshing change. Even though it was a little disorienting not knowing where my usual stops were (my wife swore up and down that Tortilla Press had dropped out, until we finally found in nestled in one of the far corners), I loved the feeling of being a kind of flea market of produce.

Consider me one vote in favor of making the temporary layout permanent.

Emerging artists exhibit at Perkins

Perkins Center for the Arts in Collingswood has a new exhibit highlighting the talents of local, emerging artists.

For more information, click here to read an article in today's Courier-Post.

Cooking in Mexico with Chef Ana Garcia & Chef Mark Smith

Posted via What's up at The Tortilla Press

About 4 years ago I had an awesome culinary experience. It was the most educational & enlightening adventure that I have undertaken. A 7 night 8 day cooking class in Oaxaca Mexico. Talk about increasing my respect for the cuisine that I cook on a daily basis. Watching masters do what me & my staff humbly try to duplicate on a daily basis, was mind boggling. I said as I was flying back to the states, one day I'm going to take a group of friends from the restaurant to Mexico with me so that they may get a chance to experience Mexican culinary intensity at it's source.

Well, the time has come. La Villa Bonita & Chef Ana Garcia have agreed to host & cook with me. We have put together a 8 day 7 night package from Nov 5 to Nov 13 at their specially designed hotel & cooking school in the beautiful mountain village of Tepoztlan, Morelos, Mexico. We will be working with masa, moles & local ingredients for an adventure unlike any that you will experience. The special price is $1450/ person for double occupancy & this includes breakfast & lunch daily with an option for dinner available if you're hungry after cooking all day. We can also decide on side trips & tours of the area as we get together the group. Please contact me at chefmark@thetortillapress.com to sign up or for questions.

Nunzio’s In the Running for Top Chef

Nunzio's has advanced to the second round of South Jersey Magazine's Top Chef Contest.

The Haddon Avenue restaurant gathered enough votes in June to move forward in the contest by featuring a dish with blueberries.

Restaurants receiving the most online votes on the magazine's website are invited to the next round until the final two chefs compete for the title of South Jersey Magazine's Top Chef.

In support of our local Jersey produce, South Jersey restaurants feature a dish and recipe showcasing the Jersey ingredient of the month – you can try the dish at Nunzio's or tackle the dessert yourself with the recipe available on the restaurant's website.

Community Garden Meeting

Title: Community Garden Meeting

Location: Library

Link out: Click here

Description: Community Gardens meeting. Master Gardener John Wiberg of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Camden County will give a talk on vegetable gardening which will be followed by a question/answer session. Also get an update on the development existing open spaces into community gardens.

The Community Garden club is a new venture in Collingswood that will focus on the development of borough open space into community gardens.

Start Time: 18:30

Date: 2009-07-14

Despite PATCO construction, Farmer’s Market same time, same place

The Collingswood Farmer's Market will move out from under the high speed line tracks this weekend to make way for PATCO construction.

Market enthusiasts will still find the event between Collings and Irvin Avenues, said Betsy Cook, Market director. The 20-foot shift may continue after this Saturday.

Corn comes late, but well worth the wait

By MATT CHIMENTO Courier-Post

Douglas M. Bovitt/COURIER-POST

Corn is something you can imagine being sold during a late night info-mercial, sandwiched between ShamWow and the Snuggie.

"It has a million uses!"

"It's great for all ages!"

"It comes in a can and can double as a doorstop!"

Realistically, as the Jersey crop goes, "It's just so versatile," says Mark Smith, chef and owner of Tortilla Press in Collingswood. (Follow him on Twitter @chefmarksmith)

"When you get the local Jersey corn in, it's so sweet and has so many different uses.

(Click for our South Jersey corn photo gallery.)

"It's such a staple of the Mexican cuisine that we do," he adds. "It's easy to find a lot of uses for and it's so indigenous to the food we make."

With record rainfall during the month of June, farmers across the state have seen a delay in the summer crop. While corn around here usually hits markets by the Fourth of July, this year's crop is expected to arrive in stores in about a week.

When it does, consumers have a multitude of choices for preparing it.

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Post your July 4 photos

Collingswood fireworks. Photo by Justin Easterby (Tweet @elrubio53)

Send your Collingswood Fourth of July photos to wrhodes@gannett.com to share them with the InJersey community. (Or post them to Flickr with the "collingswood" tag.)

Check out these related photo galleries:

South Jersey Celebrates July 4th

Oaklyn's Fourth of July parade

On the beach in Brigantine

On the beach in Wildwood

On the beach in Atlantic City

Four courses for $28 in Collingswood

Here's a homegrown deal that's hard to resist: A dozen Collingswood eateries will offer Farm Fresh Restaurant Week from July 12 to 16.

One of the Collingswood restaurants participating in Farm Fresh Week. (JOHN ZIOMEK/Courier-Post)

The restaurants will serve four courses for $28, and the meals will incorporate ingredients from the Collingswood Farmers Market.

All restaurants are BYOB, and reservations are recommended.

Here are the participating restaurants and their menus:

• Bistro di Marino
• Blackbird
• Cafe Antonio
• Casona
• IndeBlue (offer extended through July 23)
• LoBianco
• Nunzio Ristorante Rustico (offer extended through July 23)
• The Pop Shop
• Sapori
• The Tortilla Press (offer extended through July 24)
• Woksabi
• Word of Mouth

Rounding third and headed for home …

(By Tammy Paolino | Read more Mama Drama from Collingswood here.)

We had a glorious Fourth. We stayed in South Jersey, away from the crowds, but did it up right.

Cooper River Park fireworks. SCOTT ANDERSON / Courier-Post

A little Collingswood Farmer’s Market - featuring the fantabulous Dave Kelly on guitar and the first corn of the year (omigod it was good!), a little Camden Riversharks (that frenzy over the “homemade” cookies is bizarre!) and a perfect, lazy stroll through Headhouse Market and Society Hill/Old City topped off with gelato.

(Share your Fourth of July memories in the comments.

Jonah loved the fireworks, and so did Luca. No worries at all, they settled back in like veterans to gaze skyward over the Ben Franklin Bridge and just took it all in.

The best part of for me was watching both boys round the bases after the fireworks, when they let the little ones take the field. Luca had fun chasing after the big kids, but Jonah ran like he was playing for a ring. That’s my boy!

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