Random Notes: 5-1-12

Hamburger Fortress Version 1.0

1. Good news for those fans of  "the taste you crave" and owners of our local cardiology practices:
 Look for the latest fast food entry on Route 22, White Castle, to open somewhere around the end of June.

2.  Municipal Budget Battle: Round Two: 
The absence of Councilman Ken Shick (who may now yield the deciding vote) from the previous Town Council meeting has now necessitated that an interim meeting be held in attempt to break the budget deadlock. Mayor James Kern and Councilwoman Mary Van Lieu are dug in on the "no increase/keep taxes flat" side of the battle line against Council tax hikers Sal Vangeli and Kevin Synder. Come see the action live as it commences tonight at the Alpha Municipal Building.

When:   Tuesday, May 1st, 7pm  
Where:  1001 East Boulevard, Alpha, NJ (map)

3. Say it Ain't So Department:
We always thought the point of, and success of, the ubiquitous Panera Bread franchise was the unhurried, un-fast food like vibe they put out in their restaurants. When haven't legions of  common folk not used this as their office away from home? I can't remember.  Nevertheless, plans are apparently underway to add a drive-thru component for those patrons who prefer to eat and slurp while they drive.  Look for this to happen sometime later this year.

Off to the Races in Pohatcong

Scenes from the 1st Annual 5K Run / Walk Held on April 28th, 2012

And They're On the Way Early On

Cooper Bertoldo and T.J. Wolfe Laying Down Some Rubber

Crossing the Line First: Erik Hawk

All in the Family: Runners Jake Hardin With His Dad Jim

Race Results

 Student Council Volunteers Check Their Notes

Pohatcong Mayor James Kern Yuks It Up With Maggie Manners from Pohatcong Recreation

Future Firefighters?

Checking Out The Cool Ride

Chopper Pilot Kris Kelley

Bonus Pic: Student Council Volunteers Standing By to Hand Out Water: Thanks, Paula

Keeping It Real at Villa Milagro

Ready for Sampling...

As regular readers of this blog are perhaps already aware, I bang the drum on a fairly regular basis on behalf of  food security and healthier living via home growing your own foodstuffs and by calling attention to some or our local agricultural producers who have fallen off the corn/soybean cash-cropping bandwagon to produce value added finished food items.  This past weekend presented a good opportunity to do some catching up with our local scene as Villa Milagro was showcasing some of our near by cheese makers alongside their usual weekend wine tastings.

Audrey and Steve Gambino have been pressing grapes at their vineyard since 2003 and now bottle 5 different varieties of wine.  Admirably, they avoid the use of herbicides in their vineyards which helps preserve the soil as nature intended. (To help with the onerous and ongoing task of weeding, Steve has even built a very cool flame thrower attachment onto his tractor-check this out on their website). Along with sampling some of the fine Villa Milagro wines, I was able to try some of the artisan cheeses being produced by Central Valley Farm (Asbury) and Cherry Grove Farm (Lawrenceville).  These are not you're garden variety farmers cheeses that you may encounter here and there but very fanciful stuff that can arouse even the most sophisticated of palates.

So if you want to give yourself a break one fine spring weekend from the big box corridor on Route 22 and see a different side commerce in your town then stop by Steve and Audrey's "House of Miracles"-Villa Milagro. Great vistas too, by the way.

Congenial Vigeronne Audrey Gambino Pours For a Visitor

Random Notes: 4-11-12

Depressed Pohatcongers After Hearing That Town Council Wants to Raid Their Wallets Yet Again

1. Pohatcong Budget Battle:  The sparks should be flying this upcoming Tuesday-April 17th as the     Pohatcong Town Council will be discussing the fiscal year 2012-2013 municipal budget.  Given the hard economic times, James Kern, Pohatcong's young millennial generation mayor is proposing no increase in taxes for the upcoming fiscal year.  Leading the opposition will be current Council President and spendaholic Sal Vangeli who is pushing for pay increases and tax hikes. Come early for a front row seat!

When:   Tue, April 17, 7pm  
Where:  1001 East Boulevard, Alpha, NJ (map)

2. Good News-Common Sense Prevails Dept. : If you were planning to sell some of your extra produce or maybe some flowers by the side of your driveway this year, it was determined at the last township meeting that this would not require you to apply for a Peddlers Permit.

3. Here's an interesting new event worth considering from the hard working folks at Rec. and PTA. There may even be some helicopters landing that day:

Health And Safety Fair & 5K Run/Walk
Sponsored by Pohatcong PTA and Recreation Assoc.
April 28th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (rain date April 29th)
At Pohatcong School
Food * Vendors * Kids Corner * Air One * Police * Fire Rescue * and much more

Pohatcong Photo Gallery: Spring 2012

Egg Hunt Hopefuls Ready to Go

The Search Begins

The Bunny Pitches In

Progress on Still Valley Tunnel: Filled, Seeded, and Mulched

First the Vandals Sacked Rome , Then Pohatcong: Fire Damage In Crestwood Playground

Fishing in Pohatcong Creek

Work Continues Apace on New Municipal Digs....Sort Of

Locked and Loaded in Pohatcong

Two generations square off at a friendly Tuesday Night Rifle Shoot at the Phillipsburg Pistol Club

The recent shocking story of an attempted daytime burglary by a career criminal on Still Valley Road (or home invasion as it turned out since the elderly homeowner was present) may have gotten some Pohatcongers seriously thinking about exercising their second amendment rights and maybe join the growing ranks of responsible gun owners to protect their family and loved ones. This would make them part of a burgeoning  trend in America where gun sales are currently booming as the larger economy continues to deteriorate and fear of crime and an ever intrusive government feeds the frenzy.  

Fortunately, for those aspiring to become new gun owners there are an increasing number of local resources that have become available for legal purchase and training of firearms. But before you run out to empty your wallet on that new Zombie-busting, semi-automatic Howitzer you intend to buy, don't forget the first step: acquiring your New Jersey Firearms ID Card.  The ID card is required for not only the purchase of any long gun (e.g. rifle, shotgun) but also for purchasing ammunition here in nanny state New Jersey. Also note that in New Jersey, there is a separate permit requirement for pistols so there is additional paperwork to be filled and submitted. The Pohatcong Police Department will then happily process all your paperwork along with doing the background and fingerprinting chores required by Federal and State law and, assuming you clear all the tripwires, your ID card should be in hand within 3o days or so.

By this time you have already undoubtedly spent many days and nights researching on the internet and have compiled an impressive shopping and "to do" list for your new hobby.  By now, you are no doubt aware of major retailers like Cabelas  as well as a multitude of  internet resources so I will skip those and list some more local ones instead.  This is not intended to be a comprehensive list but just a helpful start from someone who may have been there before.

The Owls Nest
(908) 995-7903
97 County Road 519  Pohatcong, NJ
( No website available) 
Okay had to start with Jim Heebner's place first.  This is the local gathering spot for gun enthusiasts and sportsmen and women. New or used gun and archery sales and equipment.  Gunsmithing service. Hunting and fishing licenses. Oh and did I mention live bait of various sorts or refills for your kid's paint ball gun.


Jim Flynn's Truck Repair

(908) 537-6446

2135 State Route 31
Glen Gardner , NJ 08826
(No website available) 
Huh? You're probably saying.  Truck repair joint? Have I lost it? Not really.  Jim Flynn runs a hybrid 
business so if it's not truck repair you're looking for then you are here because you probably heard about Jim's sterling reputation as a firearms dealer and his low, low prices. This is not a conventional retail store so don't expect to see much product on display. Instead, sales are mostly via Jim's catalog but pricing is, as his many followers will attest-exceptional. Ammo however is stocked and his pricing tends to be pretty rock bottom. Btw-Cash only.


Heritage Guild of Easton
70 Hilton Street
Easton, PA 18042
tel: 610.258.5500
Website 
Just across the river and brand spanking new, the Guild has a very large showroom with an impressive inventory or firearms on display for those who like to feel and touch their equipment before purchasing.  Some handgun models can even be rented to try out on their ultra modern range before you lay out your hard earned cash. Lots of shoppers here from New Jersey whenever we have visited.

Sarco, Inc.
50 Hilton St
Easton PA 18042
tel: 610.250.3960
Website
A few paces down from the Heritage Guild and also recently arrived (actually, transplanted from New Jersey), is this unique emporium for gun enthusiasts that has a kind of flea market vibe to it.  Lots of used
firearms along with military memorabilia and army surplus goods. Be prepared to spend some time here if this is what floats your boat.

Places to shoot:

Phillipsburg Pistol Club
PO Box 836
25 Howard St
Phillipsburg NJ, 08865
908-454-1232

Website

Within a few minutes drive for most folks in town, the club has both indoor and outdoor ranges.

Along with pistols, you can also shoot rimfire rifles and shotguns (outside only). Classes and private instruction is also available along with many other events throughout the year.  Their NRA First Steps safety class is held on a regular basis and highly recommended for beginners and novices alike. 

 
Easton Fish and Game Association, Inc.
PO Box 3352
Easton, PA  18043-3352
Phone: 610-559-1763
Website
With a 100-yard outdoor center-fire range this is the place to come and test fire that tricked out 
custom bazooka you've been assembling.  With a new clubhouse under construction, this place will
likely become even more popular than it is now. Very busy at most times and especially on weekends.




Recommended Reading:  

New Jersey Gun Law Guide
By Evan F. Nappen and  Richard Gilbert 

Website

Boston's Gun Bible
By Boston Tea Party 
Website