Eric Spinner says his business, Health Haven II, is growing again in Medford -- thanks to a move away from the local business district.

And the Treehouse Coffee Shop reports similar success in Audubon -- after leaving the busy downtown of Collingswood.

Such shifts can hurt efforts to boost local economies through the development of vibrant business districts, which help ease property tax burdens, improve real estate values and attract residents.

But experts note ways to strengthen and maintain key street districts during tough economic times. They advise taking advantage of state assistance, creating parking near main streets and having landowners rewrite leases for valued tenants.

Medford officials are looking into joining the state's Main Street programs that last year helped 26 downtowns benefit from $107 million in private reinvestment. The programs produced a net gain of 513 full-time jobs and brought in 128 new businesses, according to a state Main Street coordinator.

"It would provide avenues that are very advantageous for us," said Medford Mayor Bob Martin.

Jef Buehler, director of Main Street New Jersey, said Medford's "quaint" shopping district is hidden from thousands of drivers that travel by for commuting, shopping and business purposes. He said his department looks forward to more talks with Medford officials and to implementing an approach to revitalize the downtown.

In the past few years, Medford's downtown has been stagnant with 23 vacancies, including Spinner's former shop, and eight businesses displaced from a 2008 building fire.

New businesses have opened in town, but at established shopping centers, like Ironstone Village on Stokes Road. Spinner moved to a site at Old Marlton Pike and Hartford Road, which he said offers more parking and traffic exposure.

Martin and new Historic Medford Village president Rich Lechner contend the downtown area has plenty of on- and off-street parking, with more than 50 spaces. But they say more signs and promotion are needed to get that message to the town's 22,000-plus residents.

"People will turn away from shopping centers and go to small-scale stores if there's a walking environment, so parking is critical with well-designed lots hidden from Main Street," said Richard Bickel, director of planning for the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.

After 17 years on Main Street in Medford, Spinner said he had to make the 1.4-mile move last fall or close his holistic business.

"I sometimes looked outside my door there and said, 'Where is everyone?'" Spinner said.

"Main Street was always quaint and charming and I hung in for the last five years out of loyalty to the other shops," Spinner said. "But I realized I wouldn't make it."

The Treehouse Coffee Shop was challenged by the steep rents and dense pool of eateries in Collingswood's downtown, said owner Randy Van Osten.

"I don't think we would've survived there," he said. His new Merchant Street site offers twice the space, 2,400 square feet, for half his former rent, or about $1,633 per month.

"We're pretty fortunate with two sides of the street for parking, less overhead and a couple hundred customers per day, including a lot from Collingswood."

The coffee shop's former site, at Collings and Haddon avenues, now holds Bistro AmericanA.

For landlords in high-rent areas who want to keep current tenants, Buehler and Bickel said it might be worthwhile to renegotiate leases during temporary economic downturns.

"That relationship is foundational for surviving and thriving," Buehler said. "The last thing they want to do in this economy is fill a vacancy."

Reach Jeremy Rosen at (856) 486-2456 or jrosen@camden.gannett.com

That's me using our new green takeout containers

With all the chatter this week about the green of St. Patricks Day, we thought we'd add on a different kind of green event next week at The Tortilla Press & Tortilla Press Cantina. From Monday March 22 thru Saturday March 27 (Tues 3/23 in Pennsauken since we are closed on Mondays) we will be offering a meatless menu to give our earth a break from our usual eating habits. It is a really special menu that features some nice alternative proteins including tempeh & quinoa along with lots of fresh vegetables, dried chiles & delicious sauces ... & no meat or seafood. As a chef, I feel responsible to educate our guests. It seems to me that too many of us have grown up feeling deprived if we don't have our "meat & potatoes." So I created a menu that I am confident will leave you satisfied & impressed with no meat or seafood. I have 9 special dishes & you may choose any 3 of your liking for just $25/ person. If you're still hungry, our dessert menu will be presented so you can top off your dinner with one of our delicious desserts & a cup of organic, fair trade dark roasted Mexican coffee. Working with the environment does not have to be painful or a sacrifice, but can be an enjoyable evening without stressing our resources.

A couple of suggestions to make the evening a bit more environmentally friendly; in Collingswood, come in on Patco & walk to the restaurant. The trains are running anyway, so why not support them & save some gas. In Pennsauken, try one of our sustainably farmed or bio-dynamic wines with your dinner. Then, if you can't finish your dinner & want it packed up, make sure to take note of our green packaging. If we all do the little things, we can make a big difference for our environment

Please call 856-869-3345 to reserve your table in Collingswood (We are taking all size reservations for this event) Or 856-356-2050 for Pennsauken (We always take all size reservations at The Cantina!)

Choose any 3 plates $25/ person

Pineapple Guacamole Salad
Golden pineapple diced with avocado, lime, salt, fresh, chiles & cilantro served over spring mix with an mandarin orange vinaigrette

Vegetable Tortilla Flatbread
Crispy double stacked flour tortilla with chihuahua cheese sauce, mushrooms, spinach, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers & olives served with pico, crème & guacamole

Vegetarian Pozole
A rich tomato, vegetable & chile broth with hominy served with tostada, onions, cilantro, sliced radishes & lime wedges

Pumpkin, Black Bean & Goat Cheese Quesadilla
Served with ancho chile crème

Vegetarian Chile
Black beans, kidney beans, tomatoes, yellow squash, zucchini, red & green peppers, eggplant & dried chiles. Topped with grated cheddar jack cheese & fresh chopped onions

Quinoa & Chick Pea Salad with Lemon Sesame Dressing
Red onion, cilantro & toasted sesame seeds

Tempeh, Cheese & Onion Enchiladas
With guajillo chile sauce served with cilantro rice

Chipotle Mushroom & Vegetable Taco Plate
Mixed mushrooms & zucchini braised with tomato & chipotle chiles served with warm corn tortillas, lettuce, cheese, pico de gallo & black beans

Chile Rellenos
Roasted poblano peppers stuffed with chihuahua cheese & queso fresco, battered & lightly fried served with tomato, jalapeno & cilantro broth.

Does not include, beverages, dessert, tax or gratuity

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20103120324

Courier-Post file

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch advisory for Burlington, Gloucester and Camden counties, as well as much of the surrounding area, through Sunday morning.

The weather service notes rainfall of 2 to 4 inches in the area, with local amounts of 5 inches possible in some areas.

Smaller streams are likely to flood first, with larger waterways likely to come after, according to the report.

FULL TEXT OF ADVISORY

A COMPLEX STORM SYSTEM WILL BE AFFECTING THE REGION THROUGH
SUNDAY. AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE OVER THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE
NATION WILL MOVE EASTWARD THROUGH SATURDAY. A SECOND LOW PRESSURE
SYSTEM IS FORMING OFF THE SOUTH CAROLINA COAST AND WILL MOVE
SLOWLY NORTH INTO THE DELMARVA PENINSULA ON SATURDAY BEFORE
HEADING OFFSHORE.

THE COMBINATION OF ALL OF THESE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEMS WILL BRING
RAIN TO THE AREA BEGINNING ON FRIDAY. RAINFALL AMOUNTS THROUGH
THIS EVENING WILL AVERAGE FROM AROUND ONE QUARTER OF AN INCH IN
THE FAR NORTHERN AREAS TO AROUND AN INCH IN THE DELMARVA PENINSULA.
THE RAIN WILL BECOME EVEN HEAVIER LATER FRIDAY NIGHT INTO
SATURDAY AS THE SECOND LOW APPROACHES THE REGION.

WIDESPREAD RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES ARE ANTICIPATED WITH
THIS STORM. LOCAL AMOUNTS UP TO 5 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE...
ESPECIALLY IN THOSE LOCATIONS THAT RECEIVE THE HEAVIEST RAIN.

GIVEN THIS AMOUNT OF RAIN...SMALL STREAMS AND POSSIBLY MAIN STEM
RIVERS WILL REACH FLOOD STAGE. SMALLER STREAMS WILL RESPOND FIRST
TO THE RAINFALL FOLLOWED BY THE LARGER RIVERS. FLOODING COULD
BEGIN AS SOON AS LATE FRIDAY NIGHT ALONG FAST RESPONDING CREEKS...
WHILE THE LARGER... SLOWER RESPONDING RIVERS... COULD SEE FLOODING
PERSIST INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK. THESE RAINFALL AMOUNTS ALSO HAVE THE
POTENTIAL TO CAUSE FLOODING OF ROADWAYS...UNDERPASSES AND POOR
DRAINAGE AREAS. IF YOU ARE TRAVELING... PLEASE ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO
REACH YOUR DESTINATION. IN ADDITION TO ANY FLOODING... HEAVY RAIN
CAN CAUSE REDUCED VISIBILITIES. PLEASE STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER
RADIO OR YOUR FAVORITE MEDIA OUTLET FOR FURTHER UPDATES AND ANY
POSSIBLE WARNINGS. PEOPLE WHO LIVE NEAR RIVERS OR STREAMS THAT ARE
PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE ON HEIGHTENED ALERT AND SHOULD BE
PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION IF FLOODING DEVELOPS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON
CURRENT FORECASTS.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE
FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE
PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP.

via Flood watch issued for much of South Jersey | courierpostonline.com | Courier-Post.

Forecasters say the heavy rain that is headed our way has the potential to cause some widespread flooding.

Read the rest of this post at: Watch Out For Weekend Washout.

That right folks, it's time to fire up the old grill, Daylight-saving time is returning with that extra hour of sunshine after work.

The official moment is 2 a.m. local time Sunday, though most people will set their clocks ahead by one hour before they hit the sack on Saturday night.

Courier-Post file

A few will forget -- they're the ones you'll see arriving at church when everybody else is leaving.

Daylight-saving time ends Nov. 7.

via Don't forget to spring forward | courierpostonline.com | Courier-Post.

The Assembly Budget Committee will meet March 24 at 9:30 a.m. in The Ballroom at Collingswood, 315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood.

The Senate Budget and Appropriations will hold a hearing March 25 at 9 a.m. at the Rutgers-Camden School of Law, 217 N. 5th St., Camden.

People wishing to testify can register at www.njleg.state.nj.us.

via N.J. budget hearings set for Camden Co. | courierpostonline.com | Courier-Post.

The issue report states:

"Laurel Ave off of Lincoln Ave is crumbling and is in need of resurfacing. Water collects in the center of the road when it rains, it needs to be graded so the water runs off the road."

Read more after the jump...

Of course with no precipitation today it wasn't possible to verify how much water collects on the road, but as can be seen in the (above) photo, there is some crumbling asphalt on Laurel Avenue just before its intersection with Lincoln Avenue.

Residents may report civic problems, like pot holes and litter, on Collingswood InJersey's "Fixer Upper" page, and are also encouraged to blog about any of these issues at Collingswood InJersey.

Click here to view the issue at Laurel Avenue and "vote" if you feel that it's an important issue in need of fixing.

As the last snow piles melt following a hectic winter, residents anticipate the hint of spring blooms on what was hidden ground.

Something else that was packed beneath snow, and is now visible, is litter.

One issue reported on SeeClickFix, a web application where residents can report civic problems like pot holes and graffiti, is an area of litter along South Park Drive in Collingswood.

Read more about this issue, and view the photo gallery, after the jump...

The issue, which was reported three months ago said that there is a "large amount of litter and beer cans at the end of the stairs leading to Cooper River Park" and there have been "kids drinking" in the area of 415 to 431 South Park Drive.

The stairs leading to Cooper River Park are located at the end of East Knight Avenue and lead down to South Park Drive and the park.

The area has trees and bushes, and has visible litter scattered on the ground, like trash, beer cans and bottles, and papers.

If you want this issue to be resolved, you can click here to "vote" on having the issue "fixed."

Also, residents can report civic problems in and around Collingswood on Collingswood InJersey's "Fixer Upper" page.

Click here to view the Collingswood InJersey Fixer Upper page.

One problem that was reported six months ago and appears to be an ongoing issue is the flooding street corner at the intersection of Crestmont Terrace and Maple Avenue.

Read more about this issue after the jump...

As you can see from a photo of the issue report (below), six months ago the issue was reported by Kevin, who said:

"Anything more than a drizzle the street corner floods. There are 4 storm drains on the corner of Maple and Crestmont. Only 2 of them work (when no covered with leaves). All rain water runs in one direction, and when the drains have leaves on them, our neighbors backyard floods (to the point it has picked up their cars and moved them), and water levels easily get to knee level."

The issue has received eight votes to be "fixed." There has also been a conversation about the problem. Click here to view the issue on the SeeClickFix Web site.

Each of the four corners of the intersection has a drain. The one that appeared to have the most water around it today was in front of the corner property of 34 Crestmont Terrace.

There weren't any visible leaves or objects that appeared to be clogging any of the drains.

If this is an issue that you'd like to see fixed, click here to vote on the SeeClickFix Web site.

Also, be sure to report any local civic problems, like pot holes or graffiti, using our Collingswood InJersey "Fixer Upper" page.

via YouTube - Tyrone Brown.

Al Schell/Courier-Post

Chef Mark Smith of Collingswood's Tortilla Press restaurant and Pennsauken's Tortilla Press Cantina will be hosting his third "South Jersey Tweet-Up" this evening.

The event, which on Twitter uses the hashtag #SJTweetUp, welcomes South Jersey area Twitter users to meet and discuss the popular social networking Web site and other technological issues.

Click here to RSVP.

The event, which is open to the public, will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. tonight at Tortilla Press Cantina, located at 7716 Maple Avenue in Pennsauken.

By Shruti Mathur Desai, Courier-Post Staff

Every minute she had to wait was making Sharon Good more and more nervous.

Good, of Barnegat, was one of 250 people at the Scottish Rite Ballroom waiting to have their heads shaved to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick's Foundation.
Good was committed to the cause, but each moment before she gave up her chin-length blond locks was testing her resolve.

"I just want to get it over with," said Good, standing next to the row of folding chairs staffed by stylists armed with buzzers.

Good brought moral support -- her friend Felicia Massari, a 17-year survivor of cancer.

Massari, also of Barnegat, said she was touched by Good's decision to shave her head. She herself knows what is like to not have hair, having lost it twice during her treatment for childhood leukemia.

"As a woman, this defines us. It's our pride and joy," Massari said, describing her friend as courageous for voluntarily giving up her hair. "I didn't have a choice, but she does."

Good was one of a handful of women who had their heads shaved among freshly shorn men looking like they were ready for basic training.

The event, now in its sixth year, was organized by Collingswood firefighters through the St. Baldrick's Foundation, which raises funds for the Children's Oncology Group. It is a network of more than 4,000 physicians and scientists who conduct research on childhood cancer.

Each volunteer who went bald paid a registration fee and collected contributions from sponsors. On Sunday, the volunteers raised $48,000 before the event began. An auction was expected to bring in additional dollars.

John Amet of the Collingswood Fire Company said the local fundraiser was started to support a then-colleague who had cancer. The firefighter died at 21, and now the event is partially held as a memorial to him.

The event has special meaning for Amet, whose son, also named John, was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma at nine months old. On Sunday, his son was there, helping organize the fundraiser.

"It's more than just a fundraising thing, it's a community thing and it's personal for a lot of us," Amet said.

The soon-to-be-bald volunteers all had different reactions as the buzzers ran across their heads, though many of the men were stoic as if it was just another haircut.

Greg Toci, 15, of Haddonfield, couldn't keep his hands off of his newly shorn pate.

"I feel cold," he said to his mom, Michelle Toci. She, in turn, hugged him. "I think he looks like my little boy again."

Kelly Gralley, 23, a Salem resident, hooted and hollered as her dark brown locks were shaved.

"This is the best $350 haircut ever," she said, as the poof of mohawked hair fell to the ground.

But the moment was somber for Robert DeFord of Mount Ephraim. DeFord had tears in his eyes as his head was shaved. He did it in honor of his grandson Anthony DeFord Jr., who died at the age of 2 from neuroblastoma. DeFord himself was getting over lung cancer and said not enough can be done to battle cancer.

"One day, hopefully, it will all be gone," he said.

Reach Shruti Mathur Desai at (856) 317-7828 or smathur@camden.gannett.com.

via Hair-raising event benefits pediatric cancer research | courierpostonline.com | Courier-Post.

With less than four months to go before a police-sharing agreement with neighboring Collingswood comes to an end, Woodlynne is working toward reinstating its own police department and withholding a payment to Collingswood because of concerns of police coverage.

The rift between the two boroughs has existed since April, when Collingswood announced that its police would stop patrolling Woodlynne a year before the agreement was due to expire. Collingswood officials said at the time that local police lacked the resources to cover both towns.

Woodlynne threatened to sue and Collingswood agreed to continue patrols until the two-year agreement ends in June.

The divide deepened this month when Woodlynne withheld its $175,000 quarterly payment over concerns whether Collingswood was providing adequate police coverage.

"When you start to hear that officers are leaving the department and they're not replacing them, we just want to make sure we have the coverage," said Woodlynne Mayor Jeraldo Fuentes. The mayor said he will release the payment when Collingswood agrees to meet with him to address Woodlynne's concerns.

Collingswood Mayor Jim Maley said there will be no such meeting.

The borough notified Woodlynne that if it does not receive the payment by the end of the month, it will stop patrolling the town.

"Having discussions about public safety issues by withholding a check is amateurish," Maley said.

Maley said this year's tight budget, coupled with the loss of revenue from Woodlynne, could result in police layoffs.

"We may be laying off people as soon as in a few weeks if we don't get that check," Maley said.

Both mayors said Collingswood handled 80 percent of all police calls from Woodlynne before the police-sharing agreement was signed.

When it comes to an end, Collingswood will respond only to the most serious of calls.

"We will not be Woodlynne's unpaid police department," Maley said. "They've had a year. The sooner they set up their own (police department), the better for us."

Retired Camden Police Chief Edward Figueroa assumed the post Monday of Woodlynne's police coordinator, a temporary civilian position created to get a police department up and running.

Figueroa will earn $60,000 a year with no benefits or pension and will continue to work until Woodlynne has a self-sufficient police department.

"We have no experience starting a police department from scratch. That's why we need someone with experience, like Ed Figueroa," Fuentes said.

Figueroa said Woodlynne hopes to hire 10 full-time police officers and between three and four part-time officers for additional support on weekends.

"There's a lot to be done," Figueroa said. "Woodlynne is a civil service department and you have to look at hiring procedures -- individuals have to go to the police academy, background investigations have to be done."

The borough offered to rehire officers who were laid off in June 2006 when Woodlynne entered the police-sharing agreement and disbanded its own police force. None has responded, Fuentes said.

So far, Woodlynne has interviewed only one candidate -- one of three police officers from Camden County recently laid off.

The borough also invited nine Woodlynne residents who have passed the civil service test to apply for the job, and seven responded, Fuentes said.

"Not only will you have protection in Woodlynne, but they'll be living right here in the community," Fuentes said of the candidates.

Those seven candidates would have to attend the Camden County Police Academy before reporting for duty. The next available class starts in July, which means Woodlynne won't be able to establish a police department until November, when the candidates graduate from the police academy and become full-fledged police officers.

With the police-sharing agreement to end June 2, that means Woodlynne may have to rely on State Police or Camden County for police protection for nearly six months.

"One way or another, we would definitely have police coverage," Fuentes asserted.

Fuentes estimated it would cost roughly $700,000 a year to run the new police department, the same amount Woodlynne pays Collingswood. He said Woodlynne's former police department had eight full-time officers and a budget of $800,000.

Fuentes said he expects to save money by paying police officers a starting salary of $32,000, with annual raises over a five-year contract. That's lower than what officers earned before the department was disbanded.

"That's pretty much the ongoing starting salary," Fuentes said.

The borough hopes to take out a bond to purchase three police vehicles at $30,000 each. It also hopes to buy police equipment and uniforms with $350,000 that would have gone to Collingswood for police protection in the second half of 2010.

"We're also trying to secure some grants to help offset some of the cost," Figueroa said.

The new police department's administrative duties will be shared among existing borough employees, eliminating the need for an additional hire, Fuentes said.

A separate agreement to share a municipal court with Collingswood will also end in June, Fuentes said. Woodlynne currently pays Collingswood $90,000 a year, plus a fraction of proceeds, to handle its municipal court matters.

The borough hopes to reinstate its own municipal court with one full-time and one part-time employee.

"I'm hopefully looking at a savings," Fuentes said of dissolving its court-sharing agreement with Collingswood.

Reach Lavinia DeCastro at (856) 486-2652 or ldecastro@courierpostonline.com

Executive Producer: D. Armano

Producer: T. Lu

Co-Producer: C. Allwes

Reporter: J. Hatzell

Camera Operator: A. Turnbull

via YouTube - Soundcheck:Colbie Caillat.

Courier-Post file

March celebrates women's contributions to society, and many venues in South Jersey are planning special Women's History Month events.

Academic lectures, concerts, historic tours and even children's storytimes will honor important women in history.

For a list of Women's History Month events, including ones in Collingswood, read more at: You go here, girl: Women's History Month events | courierpostonline.com | Courier-Post.

Al Schell/Courier-Post

By Lavinia DeCastro, Courier-Post Staff

Collingswood is looking for volunteers to help build a greenhouse on a borough-owned plot of land off Route 130.

Construction of the greenhouse, which will be available to residents who want to grow their own plants, is expected to start by March 31 at a tract of land along Cattell Avenue between Dwight and Harrison avenues.

The borough has owned the land, purchased with a $4 million state grant, for about five years.

The tract once housed 13 flood-prone homes that were demolished before the state replaced the Collingswood Circle, where routes 130 and 30 meet, with a signal intersection.

Now that the $35 million project is complete, the borough is ready to put the land to good use.

"As part of the agreement, the land has to remain as open space," borough manager Bradford Stokes said.

Because the greenhouse will be built mostly by volunteers, Stokes said he expects it to cost less than $2,000.

"We're also going to plant trees and shrubs to help mitigate flooding in the area," Commissioner Joan Leonard said.

Leonard said the borough will plant about 50 native trees, shrubs and perennials "that like watery spaces" like the bald cypress and swamp white oak.

"The main goal is to prevent runoff," Leonard said. "It's a cross between a biofiltration natural system and a rain garden."

Biofiltration systems are swells filled with vegetation and rocks that slow down the water flow and direct it toward rain gardens, which are filled with plants that absorb most of the runoff.

"These are ways to help improve the water percolation into the earth instead of the water unnaturally being forced into our creeks and rivers and making it overflow," Leonard said.

Landscaping at the tract, which is roughly the size of a football field, is covered under the state grant.

The green space will also serve as a buffer between busy Route 130 and the backs of the homes that face Richey Avenue.

Residents will likely have to pay about $25 for space in the greenhouse, Leonard said.

"It'll be all organic, no pesticides allowed," Leonard said. "It'll be for Collingswood residents, but if we have room, we will accept people from neighboring communities."

The borough is still deciding what to do with a smaller tract of land across the street.

Stokes said that may become a practice soccer field.

The same group of volunteers is also planning a community garden in another borough-owned property nestled among Washington, Lincoln and East Collings avenues.

"You can plant seeds at the greenhouse and you can take that home or you can join the community garden and take your seedlings there," Leonard said.

The borough paid $400,000 for that plot, which housed a duplex and 50 storage garages, about two years ago, Stokes said.

"They were in bad shape and it was just a blight in the neighborhood," Stokes said.

The borough has converted the duplex into a single-family home, which it hopes to put on the market in about two weeks, Stokes said. The borough is asking nearly $300,000 for the home.

The remainder of the property is shaped irregularly and nestled between several homes, making it unsuitable for building.

"It's landlocked, so we can't really put a house there," Stokes said.

Instead, borough volunteers are turning it into a community garden.

About 50 Collingswood residents will be able to secure a 10-by-10 foot plot for $35, Leonard said. The spaces will be divided by wood chips, recycled from trees the borough cuts down or trims.

"We don't really have any open space, but we do have a lot of little pieces of land," Leonard said. "They have perfected (community gardens) in urban areas because they don't have the space. Collingswood does have more space, but I think it could work here."

Many Collingswood residents live in rowhomes with small yards and may be interested in more gardening space, Leonard said.

"We actually accomplished two things at that site," Stokes said.

"I think it's worth the dollars we ended up spending on it."

Reach Lavinia DeCastro at (856) 486-2652 or ldecastro@courierpostonline.com

We are introducing some new wines at Tortilla Press Cantina this month & wanted to kick it off with a tasting. We chose our wines for a couple of factors. We looked at the dishes that we can pair each wine with, the ability to sell it to our guest at a reasonable price & then at a the growing & producing practices of the wineries. I'm proud to say that the wines that we have added to our list are all created using sustainable farming practices, are bio dynamic or our from a local winery. We also added a local beer to our draft beer selection this month....Flying Fish's Hopfish India Pale Ale. I love a hoppy beer & it pairs nicely with our award winning chipotle peanut bbq pork. We are also featuring a jersey cranberry sangria with cranberry wine from Bellview winery. It's still a bit chilly outside for sangria, but I see this refreshing a lot of palettes as the weather warms up. Anyway, here is a copy of the wine tasting menu, we are taking all reservations for the evening with the festivities starting at 6:45 & the formal tasting starting at 7. Hope to see you all there.

Wine Tastings and Tapas…

perfect together!

Our select accompaniments blend the perfect wines with perfect flavor combinations

…in ways that say, “Green, sustainable and environmentally friendly!”

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Our Special Wine & Tapas begins at 6:30pm

Small Plate 1

Mimosa fire grilled shrimp over fried masa plank with mandarin orange vinaigrette

With Col Vetoraz Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Brut NV (sustainable practice)

Small Plate 2

Sauteed mushroom queso dip with blue & orange corn chips

With Ukiah Cellars Chardonnay 2008 ( "sustainably farmed")

Small Plate 3

Pan seared sea scallop with avocado cream sauce & toasted pine nuts with cilantro rice

With Vigneau-Chevreau Vouvray Sec Cuvee Silex 2007 (biodynamic)

Small Plate 4

Open faced strip steak torta with queso fresco & rajas poblano

With Ukiah Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 ("sustainably farmed")

Small Plate 5

Twin coffee braised baby back rib with bacon wrapped redskin potato

With Chono Syrah 2007 (sustainable practice)

$29.95/person

(excludes tax & gratuity)

Here's a little preview video for the show:

Chris LaChall/Courier-Post

If residents across the region don't start making healthier choices, South Jersey could see higher mortality rates and increased risk to chronic diseases, such as adult-onset diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers.
That was the general consensus from area health officials who reviewed the results of a national study conducted by the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The study produced the ranking of New Jersey's 21 counties, taking into account four major health factors: lifestyle choices, clinical care, socioeconomic status and physical environment.

It also considered health outcomes, which were rated by the number of premature deaths and instances in which an individual did not feel well.

Click here to read the rest of this article at CourierPostOnline.com.

This week The Pop Shop, located at 729 Haddon Avenue, will be holding Dining with Dr. Seuss Week events today through Friday.

Check out a listing and menu after the jump...

MONDAY 3/1:

• Toddler Story Time: A special guest will read "The Sleep Book." Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed animals to cuddle. 11:30 a.m.
• Pop Quiz Trivia: The team trivia game will feature Dr. Seuss book and movie trivia. 7:30 to 9 p.m.

TUESDAY 3/2:

• Cat in the Hat Lunch Party: Luncheon in the Party room. The Cat in the Hat will make an appearance. Balloon art creations by Black Cat Balloon Company. A special guest will read "The Foot Book." Children are encouraged to wear their craziest socks or footie pajamas. Special Seuss menu. 12 to 2:00 p.m. Cost is $10 per child.
• Dinner with Seuss: The Cat in the Hat will make an appearance and a special guest will read "The Foot Book" at 5 p.m. Customers are encouraged to wear their craziest socks. A prize will be given for best socks.

WEDNESDAY 3/3:

• Toddler Story Lunchtime:  The Cat in the Hat will make an appearance. A special guest will read "Wacky Wednesday." Children are encouraged to wear their wackiest outfits. In celebration of "Wacky Wednesday," dessert will be served first (at parent’s discretion.)
• Dinner with Seuss: The Cat in the Hat will make an appearance. A special guest will read "Wacky Wednesday" at 5 p.m. Everyone are encouraged to wear their wackiest outfits. In celebration of "Wacky Wednesday," dessert will be served first (at parent’s discretion.)

THURSDAY 3/4:

• Toddler Story Lunchtime: The Cat in the Hat will make an appearance. A special guest will read "The Cat in the Hat." Children are encouraged to wear their most creative or favorite hats. All children wearing a hat will receive a coupon for free ice cream cone coupon. 11:30 a.m.
• Dinner with Seuss: The Cat in the Hat will make an appearance. A special guest will read "The Cat in the Hat" at 5 p.m. Customers are encouraged to wear their most creative or favorite hats. A prize will be given for most creative hat.

FRIDAY 3/5:

• Seuss Pajama Party: A special guest will read "The Sneeches" at 5 p.m. Children will receive "stars upon thars." All customers are encouraged to wear their pajamas.

Dining with Dr. Seuss Menu:

Available Monday March 1 - Sunday March 7

Meal includes choice of entrée, Seuss beverage and dessert. $8.99 for children 14 and under.

Choice of …

“Daisy-Head Mayzie Burgers”
Three mini hamburgers with a cookie flower growing from one and French fries
From “Daisy-Head Mayzie”

"Frankfurter Party"
Hot dog or vegetarian corn dog on a stick served with marshmallows
From “The Sneetches”

“Who-Roast-Beast”
Roast beef with gravy and mashed potatoes
From “How The Grinch Who Stole Christmas”

“Noodle-eating Poodle Noodles”
Buttered noodles with a poodle cookie dog “standing” in the middle
From “Fox in Socks”

"Green Eggs and Ham and a Blueberry Bumpling"
Green scrambled eggs, bacon and a blueberry muffin
From “The Cat in the Hat Songbook”

Plus…

Pink Yink Ink Drink (Strawberry Milk)
from “One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish”

or

Circus McGurkus Pink Lemonade
From “If I Ran the Circus”

And…

Schlopp
Vanilla soft serve ice cream with sprinkles and a cherry on top
From “Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!”

or

Silly Sammy Slick’s Sodas
Kiddie Ice Cream Soda
From “Dr. Seuss ABC”

DENISE HENHOEFFER/Courier-Post

This has certainly been a winter for the record books.

Snowmageddon, snowpocalypse and snowicane have all been terms used in recent weeks to describe Mother Nature's wrath of white fluffy stuff all over South Jersey.

And now on the first day of March, we're all looking forward to spring.

But the snow may not be over yet.

Click here to read the Courier-Post article "Early March may bring more snow" to learn more.

Well, wait no-longer!  A Facebook group has been created to solve your conundrum.  And if you aren't on facebook, I'm sure we can work around that!  I hope to see you soon!  (And I also hope you saved your Blue Diamond soymilk coupon, 'cause that's on my wishlist.)

Collingswood High School junior guard Nadirah Robinson enjoys rebounding the basketball, but she also has a knack for getting into the passing lanes and making big steals.

She did both very well Saturday afternoon in her team's 36-23 victory over Haddon Heights in a Colonial Conference Liberty Division game.

Robinson finished with a game-high 15 points and added seven rebounds and five steals for the Panthers (15-10). She and fellow starter Samantha Gregg, who added 10 points, helped their team outscore host Heights 22-13 in the second half, including 12-5 in the third quarter.

"We got a motivational speech from Coach (Nancy O'Neill) at halftime," said Robinson, who scored nine points in the second half. "She told us to work harder. The team got more involved, scoring, steals, rebounding. We just picked it up from there and played hard on defense."

According to O'Neill, "We actually struggle greatly in the first quarter. We've only won six first quarters all year. It's a big point of emphasis for us. The kids, for whatever reason it may be, really kick in in the second half. We're a much stronger second-half team as long as we don't dig our hole too deep."

Gregg, who also plays field hockey and lacrosse for Collingswood, nailed back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Panthers ahead 26-13 with 1:45 left in the third quarter. Those baskets capped a 10-0 run for Collingswood, which was never threatened thereafter.

"Huge threes," said O'Neill, whose team also got eight rebounds from Imani King. "Sam did a great job of shooting the ball. The timing of those shots was the biggest point of it. It gave us that little bit of a cushion. When Sam or Ellie (O'Neill) hit, along with Nadirah, we're a pretty good team. It's just a matter of which night it's going to be."

Gregg wasn't really aware of the score after she hit the two 3-pointers, but she was aware of how her team had picked up its defensive intensity.

"I'm better when there's no pressure, but we came out and played hard," Gregg said. "It was a good win. Once we start getting moving on defense, our offense comes together better. When we play hard on defense, we play good offense."

It was Senior Day for Haddon Heights (11-13), which led 7-6 at the end of the first quarter. Collingswood took a 14-9 lead after four straight points by Robinson with about a minute left in the half. The Panthers led 14-10 at halftime and picked it up from there.

Haddon Heights got a team-high 12 points from Kierra Smith and nine points from Alexis English. Jackie Eppright had a game-high 10 rebounds. All are seniors.

"We had a Senior Day, and we had some jitters," said Haddon Heights coach Angela Scott, a former standout basketball player at Williamstown High School.

"I was hoping, coming out of the locker room at halftime, we'd turn that around, but we just couldn't get it all together."

That National Weather Service has issues a winter storm warning, a flood advisory, a wind advisory and a special weather statement for the tri-county area and beyond.

The winter storm warning notes snow of varying intensities will continue throughout the morning, resulting in total accumulations of 4 to 12 inches. The warning is in effect until noon today,

The flood advisory is for southeastern Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties and others nearer the Shore. It notes that river and stream flows are elevated or there is ponding of water. The advisory is in effect until 9 p.m.

The wind advisory notes winds of 35 mph are expected with gusts up to 50 mph. "Winds this strong can make driving difficult," it says. The advisory is in effect until 1 p.m.

The special weather statement lets the public know the confluence of events will result in lower than usual low tides this afternoon -- about two feet below normal.

Restaurant owners and spouses Francisco Cabrera and Cecilia Jaramillo are bringing the South American specialties of empanadas, ceviche and chorizo to Collingswood.

Cabrera and Jaramillo, who own a restaurant in Ecuador's capital city of Quito, have opened their second restaurant, El Sitio Grill & Cafe at 729 Haddon Ave. in Collingswood.
"El sitio" means "the place" in Spanish.

The restaurant, which opened on Feb. 1, is in the location that formerly housed Word of Mouth Restaurant.

"Our kids decided to come up here two years ago, and we followed soon after," said Jaramillo. "It's a beautiful place, and the borough keeps it very busy with fairs."

"We saw a lot of the same things that we did in Ecuador," added Cabrera. "It's very family-oriented here."

The restaurant specializes in South American cuisine and features seafood, steak, soups and salads. There are also gluten-free menu options, like the plantain empanadas.

Most of the restaurant's dishes are customary meals in Argentina, Ecuador and Peru.

"It's great because many of these recipes have been disappearing because it takes time to make some of these foods," said Cabrera.

The restaurant is open seven days a week.

MORE INFORMATION

• El Sitio Grill & Cafe is at 729 Haddon Ave. in Collingswood. It is open from noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, call (856) 240-1217.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for South Jersey and surrounding regions.

Conflicting weather reports call for just a few inches to well more than a foot of snow.
The National Weather Service statement warns "snow amounts may average at least 4 inches," while AccuWeather calls for 1 to 3 inches tonight, followed by another 6 to 14 inches tomorrow.

National Weather Service Statement:

WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING...

A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING.

YET ANOTHER COASTAL STORM IS FORECAST TO AFFECT OUR AREA LATER WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND INTO FRIDAY. AT THIS TIME SNOW AMOUNTS MAY AVERAGE AT LEAST 4 INCHES OVER THE NORTHEAST MARYLAND SHORE... DELAWARE... SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY... AND EXTREME SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA... AND 6 INCHES OVER EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND CENTRAL NEW JERSEY. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE WITH THIS POTENTIAL STORM... SO DRIFTING AND BLOWING SNOW ARE POSSIBLE AS WELL.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SNOW... SLEET... OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

AccuWeather report

Follow this link:

http://courierpostonline.weather.gannettonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=WEATHER01&City=Cherry Hill&State=NJ

The school district is expected to cut jobs and programs due to Gov. Chris Christie's spending freeze and a drop in future state aid, officials said Monday.

"I've never seen anything like this," said Superintendent Scott Oswald. He said the Collingswood district may have to ax at least 20 to 24 staffers in its next fiscal year. "We will do our best to save as many people as we can, but it's not pretty."

Christie froze state spending on Feb. 11 to help plug a $2.2 billion deficit in New Jersey's current budget. He withheld $475 million in aid for districts like Collingswood, which must tap surplus funds to offset the loss.

"Right now we stand to lose $721,000 in surplus," said school board president Louis Cappelli Sr. "This is money that will not be there to buffer (higher taxes in) the next budget."

And state officials are warning that school aid could fall by 15 percent in the next fiscal year, Oswald said. The potential loss for Collingswood: $1.5 million.

"It's not going to be pleasant," Cappelli said at Monday night's board meeting.

Details won't be known until aid figures are released in March, but Oswald predicted layoffs would be "of a magnitude never before experienced in Collingswood." The district cut eight positions last year.

A Christie spokesman said the impact on schools was "regrettable," but defended the aid cutbacks.

"We've tried to do the best we could," said Michael Drewniak, the spokesman. "What we're doing is asking all levels of government . . . to recognize the severity of the situation."

"We recognize that this is difficult for school districts," added Drewniak, who said the freeze will not completely drain districts' surplus and emergency funds.

But Oswald said the tactic "penalizes Collingswood for being prudent and responsible in its budgeting strategy."

Officials in other school districts have expressed the same concerns.

The Cherry Hill district, which is losing $3.9 million in aid, will feel a "huge impact" on its next budget, according to James Devereaux, the district's assistant superintendent for business.

And Moorestown Superintendent John Bach said the freeze "dramatically altered the landscape for all public schools." Moorestown is losing $1.4 million, or about 30 percent of its state aid.

Reach Jim Walsh at (856) 486-2646 or jwalsh@courierpostonline.com.

Scott Anderson/Courier-Post

By Kevin Callahan, Courier-Post Staff

The double doors swung open before him. Standing behind Joe Albertson, snaking down the staircase from the locker room, was the Collingswood High School boys' basketball team.

Albertson sprang through the doorway for a recent home game against Haddon Heights into a new world for him and the other two members of the "Water Crew," Carissa Schlichting and Michael Campos.

Each time those doors have swung open at the Collingswood gym this season, so have the narrow doors in the lives of the three water helpers. Joe is autistic, Carissa has Down syndrome and Michael is communication impaired.

Collingswood coach Joe McLoughlin taught Carissa, 13, and Joe and Michael, both 12, in elementary school and now teaches them in middle school. He noticed they came to his games.

This year, he asked Joe and Michael, both sixth-graders, and Carissa, a seventh-grader, if they would like to fill water bottles before each game and hand them out during timeouts.

"They all said they would do it," McLoughlin said, "and they have run with it."

So has McLoughlin. Now in his 12th season at Collingswood, he doesn't miss a chance to positively impact young lives.

"As a teacher and a coach, you have the ability to touch so many lives," said McLoughlin, who won his 200th game earlier this month.

The lives of the families of the Water Crew have been touched, too.

"She views it as a job," said Dianne Malley, Carissa's mother. "What a great experience for her to have this."

Carissa places the green plastic bottles at the end of the bench before the game.

"I make sure they are in rows," Carissa said.

McLoughlin showed the students how to fill the bottles and tighten their tops, and when to bring the bottles from the end of the bench to players during timeouts.

"He didn't expect them to do it right at first. He broke it down in steps for them," Malley said. "He is a great teacher. He isn't just concerned with academics or in the classroom. He has totally addressed their self-esteem.

"We are so very thankful."

The Collingswood players are also touched by the Water Crew.

In a recent game against Audubon, with previously unbeaten Collingswood losing, Joe stopped filling the water bottles at halftime.

"I was feeling a little sad," Joe said.

The players were inspired by Joe's actions. They understood how important the game was to him. They realized what it meant to Joe to be part of something so special as an undefeated team.

"He got mad. He wanted us to do well," said Brian Myers, a 6-foot-5 senior. "He wanted us to play harder."

The Panthers came back and won.

"He is an inspiration," Myers said. "He makes you want to play harder."

Carissa and Michael are inspirational, too.

"They are like our spark," said Julian Stewart, a senior guard.

The Water Crew has helped inspire the Panthers to an 18-3 record and a No. 11 ranking in the Courier-Post Top 20.

The players have touched the Water Crew, too.

"They make me feel very good," Joe said.

"They say I did a really good job when I give them water. I feel very excited about it," Michael said.

McLoughlin said after the Audubon game, in which Joe was upset about losing at the half, he spoke to Joe's class. He asked: "In life things don't always go your way, so what do you do?"

"I used it as a life lesson," McLoughlin said.

The lessons are echoing throughout the Water Crew's homes.

"The difference in our lives Joe has made is tremendous," Malley said. "If Carissa is having a good year, we are having a good year. It makes all our lives easier."

Lilian Campos, Michael's mother, also noticed a difference at home.

"He is paying attention more," she said. "He is concentrating more."

There is much more, too.

"Some of the other kids around him now talk to him; they say hi," she said softly. "He was always being pushed away and no one would say hi.

"Now it is different. They will give him high-fives. It is nice."

McLoughlin enriches the lives of physically talented teens and those who are physically challenged because he doesn't see obstacles. On the court, he sees a defensive full-court press as an opportunity to score quickly down the other end. With the Water Crew, he embraces their challenges as a chance to teach and to touch.

"He doesn't see them with problems. He challenges them to do better," Campos said.

The parents weren't worried about their children making a mistake with the water bottles, like not tightening the tops.

"We got real problems," Malley said with a soft smile.

Those problems become smaller every time the double doors of the Collingswood gym swing open. At that time, the lives of Joe, Carissa and Michael also open wider.

Reach Kevin Callahan at (856) 317-7821 or kcallahan@gannett.com.

via 'Water Crew' inspires Collingswood team | courierpostonline.com | Courier-Post.