We’re more than halfway through December and the only snowflakes we’re seeing are those fake plastic ones clinging to the windows of storefronts, schools and houses… Since 1895, New Jersey has had 25 Decembers with less than 1 inch of snowfall, said David Robinson, the state climatologist at Rutgers University. Of those 25, seven were completely snowless: 1943, 1953, 1965, 1994, 1990, 2006 and 2011… “If no measurable snow falls this month, it will be the eighth such December and the sixth time we’ve gone through the cold season through December without seeing measurable snow anywhere in New Jersey,” Robinson said. “The last time this happened was 2006.”
Trenton Launches Obama’s ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ Initiative
The capital city on Wednesday answered President Obama’s call to improve the lives of boys and young men of color by launching his “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative… In February 2014, Obama announced the launch of “My Brother’s Keeper,” which brought together private foundations and companies to support programs aimed at helping young minority men develop mentoring relationships, steer clear of violence, improve grade-level reading skills and graduation rates and become prepared for college and careers… Abiezel Raices, 30, and Elijah Dixon, 23, will be the faces of the program. Raices, who was involved in gangs and drugs, turned his life around and starting ministering 13 years ago… “The weak moments in my life are what speak most because not only did I go through them, but I was able to get up and succeed even though I fell,” he said. “I had dreams that I would … impact the community to empower themselves and do much greater.”
Cumberland County Extension Service Employees Recognized
Cumberland County employees Cheryl McCormick and Tammy Commander were recognized Dec. 7 with awards for excellence by Rutgers Cooperative Extension. The awards are presented annually to one individual within the state. McCormick, 4-H Program Assistant,…
N.J. Horticultural Therapist Receives Service Award
Laura DePrado, horticultural therapist and owner of Final Touch Plantscaping, LLC in Branchburg, is the recipient of the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association 2015 Distinguished Service Award… She is a registered horticultural therapist with the American Horticultural Therapy Association, has a bachelor’s of science degree and HT Certificate from Rutgers University, is a journalist and co author Rutgers Fact Sheet, “Enabling Gardens: The Practical Side of Horticultural Therapy.”… Final Touch Plantscaping connects people and plants through customized activities and programs for children, young adults through seniors using plants year round in adult day, sub acute, long term, rehabilitative and in-home care for groups and individuals.
Food Notes: Appetizer Recipes That Will Come in Handy
It’s party time, and that means lots and lots of food. Crucial to every gathering – whether as a precursor to a big meal or as finger foods to go with drinks – are appetizers, which are one of America’s favorite ways to eat. Small morsels that can be e…
Local Aspiring Equine Veterinarians Win Scholarships
Two young women from New Jersey were among the five equine veterinary students awarded this year’s prestigious Merck Animal Health/American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation scholarship… The Merck Animal Health/AAEP Foundation scholarship program rewards second- and third-year veterinary students dedicated to equine medicine for their academic excellence, leadership in their school and AAEP student chapter, and their long-term goals. Elisabeth Leahy, studying at Michigan State University and Sarah Colmer, the at the University of Pennsylvania, are the recipients hailing from the Garden State… Leahy graduated from Rutgers University, where she majored in animal science/equine science and gained valuable equine nutrition research experience under Dr. Carey Williams. “While in college, I began working at the New Jersey Equine Clinic (NJEC), Millstone, cleaning stalls and operating the hyperbaric chamber on the weekends. When I graduated from Rutgers in 2010, I transitioned to full-time veterinary assistant at NJEC. I loved my job and I set out to learn everything I could, including anesthesia,” said Leahy.
Cumberland County Hosts South American Food Industry Executives
Cumberland County was host to food industry executives from Brazil last week and again hosted more from other parts of South America, who came to learn more about the area’s food commerce. Rutgers Food Innovation Center (RFIC) in Bridgeton coordinated the event in partnership with the Cumberland County Improvement Authority… “All together we entertained more than a dozen South American company representatives and I can honestly say each one was very impressed with our area, it’s location and abundant resources – both from an agriculture and a transportation standpoint,” CCIA Construction and Economic Development Director Jim Watson explained about the groups. “I expect to hear from at least of few of them after they have had a chance to process and distribute the information we were able to convey to them in such a short time span.”
What Are the Odds of Having a White Christmas in N.J.?
If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas this year, you might want to hit the road and visit friends or relatives in Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Maine or upstate New York… Those are among the places in America with the highest probability of having 1 …
Drought Watch Remains as Below-Normal Rainfall Trend Continued in November
After three straight months of below-average rainfall, New Jersey saw a slight reversal in October but returned to the drier side in November… The Garden State saw 2.33 inches of rain last month, which was 1.31 inches below normal, said David Robinso…
Why Was the Delaware River Shrouded in Fog All Day Yesterday?
As in the Carl Sandburg poem, yesterday’s fog may have come in on little cat feet but it sure took it’s time before moving on. Fog shrouded the Delaware River between Trenton and Morrisville yesterday morning and hung around on its silent haunches throughout the day… Dave Robinson, New Jersey State Climatologist at Rutgers says the reason the fog didn’t burn off in the morning as usual is because there are different types of fog. “The one that we saw yesterday was associated with a very damp, stable air mass. And with that we had light rain and drizzle throughout the day – a fully saturated atmosphere.”
