PATCO Turns 40

While riding home yesterday, I found a flier on the seat announcing that PATCO turns 40 this year. There are going to upcoming events to mark the years of service and they would like to hear from people about their thoughts and experiences riding PATCO. They are looking for vintage photos and are particularly interested in stories from people who were among the first to use the service.

If you have some stories or photos or know someone who would like to share their stories and photos, PATCO would like to hear from you by Feb 6th.

Email them at info@lists.drpa.org.

Camden in Winter 2009 Rutgers Magazine

Camden has several points of pride in the latest issue of Rutgers Magazine:

"The Shipping News," (p. 17) on Newark alumnae Beverly Grissom, who is a co-founder of the Camden Shipping Corporation.

"The Sister Act," (p. 31-32) on interim chancellor Margaret Marsh and her sister Dr. Wanda Ronner, who co-authored a book on fertility expert John Rock.

"And Justice for All (p. 38-43) on law school professors who work at the Urban Law Clinic and the Children's Justice Clinic. Profs Laura A. Cohen and Sandra Simkins are profiled.

Mark Your Calendar: Aquarium Events for 2009

For those who like to plan ahead, here is a list of Adventure Aquarium events for the year:

BRIDAL EVENT
February 25, 2009, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
All brides-to-be (and one additional guest) are invited to attend this one-day event FREE OF CHARGE! Want to bring the entire bridal party? Not a problem...additional guests are invited to attend for just $10 each. Even event parking is free!
Guests of the Bridal Open House in CURRENTS will be invited to sample signature hors d'oeuvres and cocktails and will be introduced to Adventure Aquarium's preferred partners offering services for everything from entertainment, floral and stationary to photography/videography, fashion, transportation and more. CURRENTS Event Specialists will also be available throughout the evening to answer questions and discuss the details of your very special day. Special pricing incentives will be offered to those who book that evening!

BUTTON'S BIRTHDAY BASH
April 4 - April 19
Celebrate Button the hippo's 12th birthday with live music, games, hippo birthday cake, and more!

A SPECIAL "MOTHER'S DAY" NBC 10 DAY!
May 10
Guests pay only $10 admission, compliments of NBC 10! Members of the NBC 10 team will greet guests and sign autographs.

DISCOVERY CHANNEL'S SHARK WEEK
July 25 - August 2
Celebrity shark experts, shark shows, giveaways and more! Come with a shark fin on your head (creativity encouraged!) and get $2 off admission.

NBC 10 DAY!
October 10
Guests pay only $10 admission on NBC 10 Day, compliments of NBC 10! Members of the NBC 10 team will greet guests and sign autographs.

CREEP IN THE DEEP
October 24th - 25th
Creepy fun for the whole family!
*Special hours offered for Passport holders.

COAT DRIVE
November 1 - November 31
Bring a new coat with the tags still attached and receive $2 off your ticket purchase!

FISHMAS WITH RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER
November 26 - January 3
Meet Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and watch as Scuba Santa dives into our 760,000-gallon Ocean Realm exhibit!


DEEP SEA SPLASH NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY
December 31
Welcome the New Year at Adventure Aquarium! Enjoy dinner, drinks, dancing, and a flawless view of the fireworks celebration at midnight!

Breakfast and a Smile

One morning last week was one of those mornings when things do not go well. A casualty of this was breakfast. A quick stop at Jordan's Hot Dog Cart, which is set up between the Business & Science Building and the Student Center, put things to right. Jordan offered up a bacon & egg sandwich and a bottle of orange juice, at a reasonable price, and a big smile, which was free.

Stormin' Norman: Jersey Boy

Gen. Norman Schwartzkopf, commander of the Coalition Forces in the 1991 Gulf War, was born in Trenton and lived for part of his childhood in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. (See his autobiography for details.)

Vergilio Ceremony Sunday

A ceremony in honor of Camden haiku poet Nick Vergilio will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Rutgers University Campus Center, 326 Penn St., Camden, $10. The event is a fundraiser.

Vergilio, a Camden resident, who died in 1988, is considered a haiku master.

For more information see "A salute to Camden's haiku master," by Chuck Darrow, in today's Philadelphia Daily News.

Special Price on Aquarium Passports

A note from our friends at the Adventure Aquarium:

For a limited time only...when you buy an Adventure Aquarium Annual Passport, you'll receive $10 off the Family Explorer package (2 adults & 4 children) and $15 off a Family Explorer Plus package (2 adults, 4 children and 2 guests)! Annual Passports offer year-round access to thrilling exhibits, creative events and special programming through exploration of the world above and below the ocean's surface!

Enjoy Exclusive Passport Benefits:
FREE Admission to Adventure Aquarium for One Year!
Fast Track Entry - Skip the ticketing lines and scan your membership card at our entrance to begin your adventure!
Special Passport Holder-Only Events - Participate in signature events like our Passport Holder-only Creep in the Deep Trick-or-Treat Celebration!
Exclusive Discounts - Receive discounts on birthday party packages, Aquarium Adventures and purchases in our café and gift shop!
Insider Information - Be the first to learn about new exhibits and exclusive events and receive regular updates on animal arrivals, births and more!
Special Benefits - Receive FREE 4D Theater tickets and more!

Rutgers Assistant Dean Wins Drinan Award

Eve Biskind Klothen, assistant dean of the Rutgers-Camden Law School, has been recognized by the Association of American Law Schools with 2009 Father Robert Drinan Award for outstanding contributions to pro bono and public service. "Priceless work marks Rutgers Law," by Cynthia Henry in the Jan. 19th Philadelphia Inquirer notes:

Though Rutgers-Camden doesn't require pro bono work, as law schools such as the University of Pennsylvania do, more than two-thirds of its 750 students participate. It's a credit to the program, pro bono coordinator Pamela Mertsock-Wolfe said.

Volunteers are involved in death-penalty appeals, bankruptcy, immigration, domestic violence, financial literacy, disability benefits, mediation, legal research and voters' rights.

Klothen took over the pro bono program in 2002.

New Jersey Public Libraries at Risk?

This is circulating around some email lists. Those who value public libraries may wish to check on the situation in their own area:

On January 8, 2009 the League of Municipalities distributed a draft resolution to its members requesting that local municipalities support the League's efforts to slash public library funding by 50%. The resolution is available online at:

http://www.njslom.org/ml010809-library.html

Some municipalities are acting very quickly on this resolution -- allowing little time for debate or discussion. What can you do? Call your mayor or council people and let them know you strongly oppose this attempt to cut minimum funding for public libraries. Make sure library supporters know about any attempts in your community to support this draconian measure proposed by the League. Review all agendas prepared by the municipality. Some municipalities are trying to act on this resolution quickly, even this week. Don't let this happen. Speak out against this resolution.

It is now more important than ever that NJLA members reach out to local library boards and municipalities requesting that they reject this attempt to devastate public library funding in the state. NJLA has prepared a draft resolution that library boards and municipalities can use to show their support for the existing minimum funding level for public libraries. This resolution is available at:

http://njla.pbwiki.com/Public+Policy

Central and South Jersey Sports Blog

Those who enjoy Central and South Jersey sports might enjoy reading New Jerzey Sports (http://www.newjerzeysports.blogspot.com/). It covers college and pro teams and has some feature articles on selected athletes.

A View from the Bridge

Tonight on the way home, as the train was heading up towards the bridge, a large flock of birds swooped in and out of sight, circling the city. Their black silhouettes against a sky just starting to darken but still blue was beautiful.

Brass Rail Now Taking RU Express Cards

The Brass Rail Restaurant (425 Market St) in Camden is now accepting RU Express cards.

Their breakfast menu features, omlettes and eggs, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches and other items. The lunch menu includes wraps, soup, salads, hot and cold sandwiches and assorted other items. I am a big fan of the egg salad sandwich on whole wheat toast.

A Few Other Victor Building Updates

While out walking yesterday and testing out the new pizzeria I noticed a few other things that have changed recently in the Victor Building. The Susquehanna Bank branch is open. Also, the Victor has a children's menu now. No details on either at present.

Market Street Pizzeria Open

Great news!! The Market Street Pizzeria is now open, in the Victor Building, where La Riviera used to be. The menu is similar. I had a large slice of pepperoni and sausage on thin crust, and a bottle of soda (the soda fountain isn't up yet but will be soon) for $5.08. It was good. The preliminary menu has pizza, stromboli, appetizers (the garlic knots looked delicious through the window), chicken, a variety of salads, wraps, burgers, sandwiches, and assorted other items. There is also a soup of the day, with bread. Hours are Monday through Friday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Saturdays noon to 6. I'm not sure they are open all hours yet so you might want to give them a week or so before going for dinner, but those working late at L3 or students heading for the riverside parking lot will surely enjoy the opportunity to get something to eat before heading home, not to mention the residents of the Victor who might appreciate having a pizzeria so close to home again.

A New Year

Apologies for the lack of posts for the past few months. I was away. Now it's a new year and a new start. I look forward to seeing what has changed while I was gone and what new and exciting things are happening in the city. It is nice to be back.