Boys and Girls Club gets $5,000 donation

The charitable foundation under BJ's Wholesale Club recently donated $5,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Vineland, according to a news release.

“BJ’s Charitable Foundation is proud to give back to local nonprofits like the Boys & Girls Club of Vineland, who provide vital assistance within our community throughout the year,” said Jessica Newman, manager of community relations for BJ’s Wholesale Club.

Boys & Girls Club of Vineland planned to use the $5,000 to support salaries for the Power Hour Program, which provides children ages 6 through 13 with homework help and tutoring after school, the release said.

Some of the money will also be used to purchase snacks and incentives, such as prizes and activities for completing assignments.

Scholarships offered to student leaders

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation seeks applicants for its Student Leaders Award. The award is part of the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative, which recognizes and rewards service and leadership by organizations, individuals and students.

Applications are due by Wednesday and can be submitted online.

Bank of America will recognize five high school juniors or seniors in each market who have demonstrated a commitment to community service and leadership.
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February means free foot care for kids

The office of Dr. Ronald Markizon, Dr. Jimmy Trang, & Dr. Jacob Fassman wants local kids to be light on their feet this Valentine's Day.

During February, the doctors at Foot Care Centers are offering a free foot exam and consultation to any child as long as they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

“We want kids to get all they can from life and having problems with their feet can prevent them from this,” Dr. Jimmy Trang said. “So we decided to do something about it. If your child is having foot pain, ankle pain or discomfort, or if you have wondered whether they have a problem — now is the time to get professional advice —free.”

Call (856) 691-2152 to make an appointment for your child.

Sweet Life bakes pies to help Haiti

The owners of The Sweet Life Bakery always celebrate National Pie Day on Saturday, but Stephen Wilson and Jill McClennen thought they would turn this year’s celebration into a fundraiser.

The shop set a goal to sell 50 pies and send all proceeds to the World Food Programme, a United Nations humanitarian agency that fights hunger worldwide, to help the Haitian victims following the Dec. 12 earthquake.

The Sweet Life Bakery reached its goal within 12 hours and sold 92 pies for the fundraiser. Wilson estimated the sale generated about $700 or $800.

Wilson said the bakery might do a fundraiser next year on the holiday and partner with a different charity.

Questions loom of Loyle Lanes blaze

Submitted photo/John W. Carr

In the aftermath of a devastating fire that destroyed the city's only and well-loved bowling alley, the owners of Loyles Lanes decided to rebuild within 24 hours of the first flame.

But it could take weeks, even months, for investigators to determine what caused the fire that was deemed the city's largest in years.

Arson investigators were at the scene Tuesday, combing the charred rubble from Monday's early-morining fire for any clues.

Keep reading to learn more about the investigation process.
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Local dealership announces closure

File photo.

The Matt Blatt Auto Dealership will close its Delsea Drive branch on Jan. 31 after 10 years, owner Roy Greenblatt said Tuesday.

The Vineland location will be consolidated starting Thursday with the dealership's sister locations in Egg Harbor Township and Glassboro.

But some employees will remain in the Vineland facility through Jan. 31 to assist customers with service, paperwork and sales issues, Greenblatt said.

The Vineland dealership is laying off roughly 22 employees due to the consolidation, he said. About one-third of the site's 35-member staff will be split between the two other branches.

"We're sorry we have to do this, but we feel the economy is forcing our hand," Greenblatt said.

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Fresh Italian desserts, here

In the mood for something Italian?

Giovanni's Italian Amerian Deli is selling cannolis for $1.95. And they are filled fresh upon ordering.

Call for menu information at (856) 692-0459.

PathStone readies young people for jobs

PathStone offers free educational support, training and employment opportunities through its HYPE, Helping Youth Prepare for Employment, program.

To be eligible, participants must be a Cumberland County resident, high school dropout, unemployed, age 18 to 21 and have low income.

Services available include: GED/basic skills tutoring and referrals; work maturity training; career planning; employment experience; occupational skills training; job placement; and retention services.

For more information, call Oscar Gomez at (856) 696-1000, ext. 20, or e-mail ogomez@pathstone.org.

The business is located at 76 W. Landis Ave., Suite C, in Vineland.

vineland_nj_Freecycle

Here is a description of a new local movement, written by Vickie, the group outreach assistance volunteer moderator for the vineland_nj_Freecycle.

Freecycle is a grassroots nonprofit ecological movement made up of people who are giving and receiving free stuff right in their own communities.

There are literally thousands of volunteers who represent the passion and commitment behind the scenes which enable the Freecycle Network to function as a grassroots and nonprofit gifting movement. I am one of those dedicated moderators willing to devote several hours a week to the job.

The dedicated work I do speaks about the kind of person I am. The kind of person that cares about the community I live in, which is Vineland NJ.
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City plans fourth industrial park

The city is in line for a multimillion-dollar federal grant that will allow it to build a fourth industrial park and eventually add jobs, James Lelli, Vineland's economic development director, told DJ Staff Writer Kristi Funderburk.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced Friday Vineland would get a $3.5 million Economic Development Administration grant to build a water treatment plant and install water lines needed to establish a new industrial park.

Despite what will be at least a yearlong process, this grant money means a chance to build another industrial park to welcome even more business and industry to Vineland and potentially create hundreds of jobs, Lelli said.

"It's like an egg that's starting to hatch," Lelli said. "This is the first crack, and the chick is coming out, but there's a long way to go, especially with the funding."

This industrial park would go on a 300-acre site along South Main Road at Route 55, Lelli said. It is the last large piece of industrial ground left in the city that lies just off a highway exit, he said.

Read more about the proposed industrial park and Lelli's plans for it here.

Martini Shoes hosts Second Friday art show

Martini Shoes, 613-A Landis Ave., Vineland, will host its Second Friday Art Show from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 11.

The featured artists are Judy Miller, Sue Mounier, Shirley Mazzi, Paula Pagluighi, Carole Ward, Lynn Martini and Tyler Cheli. The show will also feature the photography of Gail Lorenzini.

There will also be refreshments and live entertainment.

Time Out bar closing, theater eyes liquor license

Official Time Out Sports Club and Grill at 547 E. Landis Ave. Staff photo/Cody Glenn

Time Out is on its way out of the city, city officials said.

The local Urban Enterprise Zone is foreclosing on Time Out Sports Club & Grill because the Landis Avenue restaurant is behind in its payments, Sandy Forosisky, the city's redevelopment director, told DJ Staff Writer Kristi Funderburk.

Forosisky said the eatery, on the 600 block of Landis Avenue, owes about $415,000 to the UEZ. The UEZ loaned the business $389,000 when it first opened several years ago and the Cumberland Empowerment Zone threw in an additional $104,000.

Forosisky said the business has not made payments on those loans in about two years.

"We're not in the business of foreclosing on businesses," she said. "But, once we realized there was not going to be a workout plan from them, we had to move to foreclose."
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Next Fuel House gallery features interior designer

Fuel House Coffee Co. on East Landis Avenue has scheduled it's next art gallery opening with Michele Collins, manager of an interior design and decorative painting business.

Here's a brief look at Collins in her own words as told to Fuel House:

"As a designer with a degree in interior design and business management from Berkley School of Design in New York, I have managed my own interior design and decorative painting business for 20 years. I continued my art studies at Sanski's Art Studio of Haddonfield, Maryland College of Art and Design, Repenning Fine Arts of Haddon Heights, J. Toogood Workshop Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, and at the J.

"Baldini Workshop of Monhegan, Maine. To me whether designing a room or painting a canvas, it is all visual art. Colors, texture, fabric on furniture or the feel of a brush on canvas, moving someone else through my art brings me happiness."

The event begins at 7 p.m. Friday. General Admission is $8. Add the wine tasting experience, and it's $15.

For more on Collins, visit her Web site.

Locally grown, and at your supermarket

Staff photo/Kristi Funderburk

Acme supermarket on Main Road has a special display in its produce section.

With signs that say "Locally Grown Fresh Produce," the store is selling produce grown locally from about a dozen different farms - though most farmers appear to be from Hammonton.

On Monday, small baskets held the latest featured vegetables, including long and hot peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants.

Pizzeria has new name

Staff photo/Kristi Funderburk

If you're looking for a pie from Pete's Pizza & More, don't be surprised when the Russo Brothers answer the phone.

The business has a new name, Russo Brothers Pizza, but the number (856-205-9998) and location (corner of West Park Avenue and North Delsea Drive) are the same.

Owner Joseph Russo started working at Pete's in January, when it went under new management.

He took the business over completely and changed the name last month.