Thrill of Drive-In Returns to Mount Olive NJ May 16

MOUNT OLIVE, NEW JERSEY - One of the year's most highly rated family films, "Iron Will," will be the featured movie when the International Trade Center Alliance hosts its second annual Outdoor Movie Night on Friday, May 16th.

Sponsored by Picatinny Federal Credit Union and Bright Horizons Family Solutions in partnership with the ITCA, Outdoor Movie Night is a step back in time with its drive-in like atmosphere.

The PG rated "Iron Will", starring Mackenzie Astin, Kevin Spacey, David Ogden Stiers, will be shown on a 2-story inflatable movie screen beginning at sundown.

"Iron Will" is a rousing Disney dog-sled adventure based on a real life event -- a 522-mile dog-sled race between Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and St. Paul, Minnesota.

Will Stoneman, played by Mackenzie Astin, is the teenage son of farmers. When Will's father dies, he is left alone to take care of his mother and their land. Needing money to maintain it, he decides to join a cross country dogsled race. This race will require days of racing for long hours, through harsh weather and terrain. This young man will need a lot of courage and a strong will to complete this race.

In addition to the movie, families can enjoy face-painting, a crafts table and other family oriented activities at no further cost. And all children will have their chance to participate in KidShots before the movie starts to get their image on the big screen!

Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner. Seating is first come first serve and all seats are lawn seats.

The event will take place in the parking lot of 850 Clark Drive in the International Trade Center. Attendees should arrive between 7:30 and 8pm. The movie will begin at sundown (approximately 8pm).

Tickets can be purchased online at www.ITCAevents.org or by calling the ITCA offices at 973-347-3088. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3 to 12. Children under the age of 2 attend free. In the case of inclement weather the event will be moved indoors.

Additional sponsors include The Wyndham Garden Hotel Mount Olive, GBW Insurance, and Wild West City. For more information about Outdoor Movie Night or to purchase tickets please contact the ITCA offices at (973) 347-3088.

Mount Olive Chamber presents Alzheimer's Donation

MOUNT OLIVE, NEW JERSEY - The Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce presented the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater New Jersey with a check for $245, the proceeds from a chamber lunch meeting held at Paragon Village in March.

Pictured are Peter King (Paragon Village), Amy Matthews (Alzheimer Association), and Lou Nisivoccia, president of the chamber.

MOHS Project Graduation - Chili's Style

MOUNT OLIVE, NEW JERSEY - Put some "pepper in your fun" on Monday, April 21, 2008 at the Chili's of Mount Olive.

Chili's has pledged to donate 10% of their sales from 11am to 11pm to support the Mount Olive High School(MOHS) Parents' Club Project Graduation.

Project Graduation is an all-night, chaperoned, substance/alcohol free celebration for the graduating seniors of Mount Olive High School. The purpose is to congratulate them for completing their high school curriculum as well as provide a safe, enjoyable environment for MOHS seniors on graduation night.

Come Enjoy and support Project Graduation!

Chili's Grill & Bar
53 International Drive, South
(ITC Crossing Shopping Center)
Flanders, New Jersey 07836
973-691-8356

Picatinny Federal moves to Mount Olive Township

ROCKAWAY, NEW JERSEY – Picatinny Federal Credit Union announced it purchased land in Mount Olive, New Jersey for its new state-of-the-art branch office. Picatinny Federal is the largest Credit Union based in Morris County and the 11th largest in the State of New Jersey.

The proposed 3,382 square foot facility will be located in the ITC Crossings Shopping Center and will become Picatinny’s newest full-service branch with all the customer friendly amenities such as a two-lane drive-up, ATM access, coin machines and safety deposit boxes. The Mount Olive Township facility will continue to promote a streamlined, customer friendly service experience, in a convenient location.

Picatinny Federal Credit Union was established in 1939 and has built its foundation on financial stability, member trust and loyalty. Today, Picatinny Federal Credit Union is a full service financial institution with four branches in Morris County, over 15,000 members, more than $217 million in assets and 200 business partners throughout the community. Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Morris County, New Jersey.

A grand opening for the new Mount Olive Township branch office is planned for the Fall 2008.

Breathing Emergency at Flanders Firehouse

FLANDERS, NEW JERSEY – With incidents of asthma and other respiratory difficulties increasing, calls for help by people having difficulty breathing are becoming more common for emergency medical personnel. The latest information on shortness-of-breath emergencies, especially those caused by asthma, will be the topic of a class at 8:30am April 26th at the Flanders Firehouse, 27 Main Street in Flanders, New Jersey in Morris County.

Sponsored by the Flanders Fire Company and Rescue Squad and presented by the Atlantic Training Center, the 3½-hour class will teach emergency responders the latest information and treatment protocols for treating asthma and other respiratory patients. Those attending the class earn three CEU credits.

“More than 20 million people in the United States suffer from asthma,” said Heather Detoro, captain of the EMS Division of Flanders Fire and Rescue. “Of those, 9 million are children. Few things are more terrifying than being unable to breath. It’s imperative that emergency personnel be ready to react appropriately to shortness-of-breath calls, and this class will help.”

The class runs from 8:30am to noon at the Flanders Firehouse, 27 Main Street, Flanders, New Jersey. It is open to all EMS, fire service and police personnel.

Additional information is available by calling Flanders Fire and Rescue at (973) 584-7805 or by calling the Atlantic Training Center at (908) 522-5395. Registration is through Atlantic Health Care Systems and the State of New Jersey LMS system.

New Jersey Highlands Council Awards Grant

CHESTER, NEW JERSEY – The New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council awarded the Town of Clinton, Hunterdon County, with a Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Feasibility Grant for $23,500. It is the third municipality in New Jersey to receive this grant from the Highlands Council.

“The TDR program is a valuable land use and planning tool that allows for sensitive land to be preserved while directing development to areas where it would be the most appropriate,” said Eileen Swan, Executive Director of the Highlands Council. “To encourage municipalities to participate in this program and conform to the New Jersey Highlands Regional Master Plan, the Highlands Act provides funding mechanisms, such as this grant program. We are happy that the Town of Clinton applied for this grant, and we look forward to working with the Town in the future in the TDR program.”

Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) is a land use tool that permits the transfer of development potential from areas identified for preservation, called sending zones, to areas that are more appropriate to accommodate increased growth, called receiving zones. Landowners in the sending zones receive compensation for the transferable development potential of their property that has been restricted in support of preservation. Payment for this lost development potential comes from purchasers who buy credits representing the lost development potential of parcels in the sending zone. The credits then entitle the purchaser to build in a receiving zone at a density greater than that permitted in existing zoning.

The Town of Clinton will use this grant for planning design analysis and an economic analysis for the potential of TDR in the municipality. The area of study for receiving sties would include areas where there are underutilized lands and buildings, as well as vacant or undeveloped lands, in the town’s commercial zone. Other tracts of land in the Town of Clinton will be analyzed as sending zones as these lands have environmental constraints such as steep slopes, carbonate rock, and floodplains.

Recognizing that planning for a receiving zone involves costs, the New Jersey Highlands Council established a $1 million Voluntary Receiving Zone Feasibility Grant Program in the spring of 2007. This grant program is designed to assist municipalities in assessing the potential for locating a receiving zone within their communities. Eligible municipalities, which need not be within the Highlands Region but must be in one of the seven New Jersey Highlands counties, will receive both financial support and technical assistance from the Council. To date, two municipalities have been awarded grants under the program while several others are currently preparing applications. Lopatcong Township in Warren County was awarded a $25,000 TDR Feasibility Grant, and the City of Clifton in Passaic County received a $40,000.

As specified by the New Jersey Highlands Act, receiving zones under the Highlands TDR Program are voluntary. To encourage municipalities to designate voluntary receiving zones, the Highlands Act provides a number of benefits to municipalities in the Planning Area that conform to the Regional Master Plan(RMP) and establish a receiving zone which provides for a minimum density of five (5) dwelling units per acre for the residential portion of the receiving zone. Planning Area municipalities that meet these criteria may:

• charge up to $15,000 per unit impact fee for all new development within the voluntary receiving zone
• receive up to $250,000 in an enhanced planning grant to offset the planning and other related costs of designating and accommodating voluntary receiving zones
• receive a grant to reimburse the reasonable costs of amending municipal development regulations to accommodate voluntary receiving zones
• receive legal representation by the State in actions challenging municipal decisions regarding TDR, provided that certain pre-requisites are met
• receive priority status in for any State capital or infrastructure programs

For municipalities outside of the Region but within the seven New Jersey Highlands counties, they are entitled to the same benefits above except for legal representation and priority status. Importantly, municipalities outside the Region must receive plan endorsement from the New Jersey State Planning Commission to participate in the Highlands TDR Program.

Any municipality in the seven counties of the New Jersey Highlands Region (Bergen, Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex or Warren) interested in applying for a TDR Feasibility Grant should contact Lindsey Interlante, Manager of Grants Administration, at (908) 879-6737.

Mount Olive School Board Election day 2008

MOUNT OLIVE TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY - School Board Election Day is Tuesday, April 15th, 2008. Mount Olive residents will be heading to the polls to elect school board candidates for board of education positions. Voter's will also weigh in on the ongoing debate over the proposed Township of Mount Olive School District budget.

There are three open positions on the Board of Education and three candidates. Mount Olive school board candidates include Robert Mania, Daniel Amianda, and Mark Werner.

The Board of Education(BOE) acts by formally adopting District Policies and Regulations, approving contracts for services, adopting an annual budget, and appointing and supervising the Superintendent of Schools. Each open position holds a full term of 3 years.

All Mount Olive Township voters will be asked to vote on two public questions that will appear on the April 15th school election ballot.

Public Question No. 1 - Do you approve/disapprove the proposed
2008-2009 budget in the amount of $53,189,857 for the general fund which holds and increase of the current tax levy by 1.89%.

Public Question No. 2 - Do you approve/disapprove an additional permanent increase of the general fund in the amount of $482,254 for expenditures above and beyond the necessary Core Curriculum Content Standards adopted by the State Board of Education.

Be an Informed Voter
Information regarding the 2008-2009 budget is available on the Mount Olive Board of Education's website >>

Polling Times
Tuesday, April 15th, 2008
7:00am to 9:00pm

Polling Locations
Mountain View Elementary School
Tinc Road Elementary School
Chester M. Stephens Elementary School
Sandshore Elementary School

Polling information is also contained in sample ballots mailed to all registered voters prior to the election.

Mount Olive Township residents are encouraged to exercise their right to vote.

Morris County Holistic Healing Adventure

MORRIS COUNTY, NEW JERSEY - Empower You to Be offers holistic healing adventures like no other. Enjoy retreats, workshops, yoga classes, and wellness programs catered to your holistic healing.

The Wellspring Within
A Woman’s Retreat June 7-8th Mendham, New Jersey.

Step away from your day to day pace and join Empower You to Be for an overnight getaway. You’ll rest, reflect, pray, play, journal and gain fresh ideas and inspiration.

Empower You to Be will guide you to:

• Listen to your inner voice
• Prepare for optimal summer wellness
• Practice Yoga on & off the mat
• Walk the labyrinth

Empower You to Be also offers additional Empowerment coaching, retreats, workshops, yoga classes, and wellness programs such as the 'Full Moon Adventure' and the 'Empowerment Package'.

Full Moon Adventure
May 16th 3:00pm - 18th 11:00am at Spruce Run State Park, Clinton, New Jersey.

Feel the warmth of the campfire and likeminded friends. Be dazzled by the moon. Snuggle in warm cozy cabins under the stars. Wake with the sounds of nature and a soothing yoga session. Trail walk or mountain bike with scenic views. Listen to stories, songs, and the campfire crackle as your meals prepare. Kayak under the open sky while the sun sets and the moon rises. Give your mind, body and spirit time to reflect, rejuvenate, and just be.

Hurry, there are only two spaces left! Mention Flanders NJ News and receive a free gift!


Empowerment Package
Let the Empower You to Be Empowerment Team help you, to achieve your goals - no matter how big or small. As you set forth on your journey your life will begin to transform. With a six month package, you will receive attention from nutrition and exercise professionals, lifestyle and organizational coaches, and financial advisors. This also includes a 10 week course called “Life of Your Dreams” as well as other tailored sessions that would be appropriate for your unique goals and situations.

Mention Flanders NJ News and you’ll receive $50 off your package!


About Empower You to Be
At Empower You to Be, we are committed to Helping Empower Abundant Living. We’re an educational services company who uses an integrated, holistic approach to healing, training, and coaching. We provide resources for empowering personal and spiritual development. For more information visit www.EmpowerYoutoBe.com >>

Tinc Road School PTO General Meeting

MOUNT OLIVE TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY - The Tinc Road Elementary School parent/teacher organization (PTO) will be holding their monthly general meeting tomorrow April 8th, 2008 at 7:00pm.

Dr. Rosalie Lamonte, Ph.D. the Superintendent of Mount Olive Township Schools will be attending as a guest speaker to discuss the 2008-2009 Mount Olive Board of Education (BOE) Budget.

School Board Election Day is April 15th, 2008.

NJ Highlands Council Wins Environmental Award

CHESTER, NEW JERSEY – The New Jersey Highlands Council received the 2007 Environmental Achievement Award from the South Branch Watershed Association (SBWA) during the Association’s 48th Annual Dinner Meeting, held Friday, March 28th at the Copper Hill Country Club in Ringoes, New Jersey.

"It is a great honor for the Highlands Council to receive this award from such an established and respected environmental organization," said John Weingart, NJ Highlands Council Chairman. "We did our best to design a process for developing the Highlands Regional Management Plan that would be as smart and open to the public as possible, and it is particularly gratifying to see that process recognized by the Watershed Association. We look forward to continuing to benefit from their input as we implement the Highlands Plan."

William Kibler, the Executive Director of the South Branch Watershed Association, praised the New Jersey Highlands Council and staff in their efforts on preparing the Regional Master Plan.

“The Council and staff put tremendous effort into the draft Regional Master Plan, including conducting numerous public hearings and accepting and reviewing an immense volume of public comments,” Kibler said. “The process of developing the draft Regional Master Plan has been an excellent example of open government. The Council and staff have ensured that the public is informed and involved in the process of preparing and revising the Plan.”

Other recipients at the awards ceremony included Commerce Bank, which received the 2007 Corporate Achievement Award honoring outstanding environmental efforts by a corporation, and Aimee Swain and Jackie Parrinello, who received the Hermia Lechner Award for outstanding volunteer service to the SBWA.

Michelle Ruggiero of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was the event’s guest speaker and addressed the topic, “Know the Bear Facts.”

“The professionalism and enthusiasm of the Council members and staff while dealing with a controversial and very challenging mandate are a great credit to the Highlands Council,” added William Kibler. “Their efforts to ‘protect, restore, and enhance the quality and quantity of surface and ground waters,’ in the New Jersey Highlands will have a great impact on the environment of our watershed for generations.”



Pictured above at the South Branch Watershed Association Annual Awards Dinner on Friday, March 28th, are (left to right) William Kibler, Executive Director of the South Branch Watershed Association; Jim Hill, President of the SBWA; John Weingart, Chairman of the New Jersey Highlands Council; and Eileen Swan, Executive Director of the New Jersey Highlands Council.



“The Highlands Council and staff are grateful for the South Branch Watershed Association’s acknowledgement of the process of creating the Regional Master Plan and the transparency we have provided at every step of the process,” said Eileen Swan, Executive Director of the Highlands Council. “We are in the very busy final phases of adoption for the Regional Master Plan, and it is easy to forget to appreciate all of the work we've done. I would like to thank the SBWA for this award and for the opportunity for all of us to look back on what we have achieved. I urge the Council and staff to look forward to the great things we will accomplish in the future.”

About the South Branch Watershed Association (SWBA)
The South Branch Watershed Association is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to protecting the environment in the watershed of the South Branch Raritan River. For over 40 years, SBWA has been assisting municipalities, schools, community groups, and citizens with protecting natural resources through education and outreach. Programs offered by SBWA include a volunteer stream monitoring program, biannual stream clean-ups, informational workshops, community well testing programs, and in-school in-field environmental education programs. SBWA also serves as a clearinghouse for public information regarding local environmental issues.