Musings on Mother's Day

Inspired by a chid's question, the editor ponders what the world would be like if God was a mother.

When my son, Jack, was 3 years old, he asked me if God had feet. Seeing how thrown I was by that question, he softballed me with this follow-up: How do we know God is a father and not a mother? Instinctively, I answered, “Because no mother would ever create order out of chaos and then go and undo it by creating man." “Also," I continued, "two days tops to create a universe because no mother has the luxury of seven days to get anything done." His question did force me to think what the world might be like if God was a mother. And so I wrote: If God Was a Mother, her Commandments would read: Do not waste thine time carving what I say onto stone tablets for no one will read them and, undoubtedly, someone will break them and I will have to …

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Frugal Family: Mother's Day Sales

Show mom how much she’s treasured, but don’t spend a fortune.

Mother’s Day sales are kicking into high gear this week, so get your shopping shoes on. Target and Best Buy are your best bets for high-tech moms. You’ll find some great deals on phones, iPods, cameras and e-readers. Boscov's and JcPenney are the hot spots for jewelry, clothes and beauty supplies to make mom sparkle. The jewels of a sale we’ve discovered include 50 percent off new styles for mom at Famous Footwear; 40 percent off stamps, scrapbooking albums and paper-crafting supplies at Jo-Ann Stores through May 12 and Michael's is celebrating Scrapbooking Month with 12x12 stock paper on sale for 20¢ each or five for $1. Pamper mom with her favorite items from Bath & Body Works. Buy three Signature Collection bath gels and lotions and get…

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Letter to Editor: BYOB Helped Improve Collingswood

A former Collingswood resident describes the effect of BYOB on the town.

To the Editor: I've been asked to speak in favor of BYOB in Ocean City from my experience working in Collingswood during its renaissance. I am truly neutral on this issue for a few reasons: I can tell you what I observed in Collingswood that might help. First let me say that "Colls" is a town that works together on issues and tends to find creative ways to solve its problems. Mayor Malley was proud and satisfied with the results of the changes. They don't seem to have the control issues that exist in Ocean City. When I began working there, Haddon Avenue had deteriorating buildings, struggling and closing businesses. Simultaneously, the police experienced destruction and violence regularly on the part of the young people who were out in the…

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Montclair Mom Set Loose at Bruce Concert

Amy Chiarello Barnett writes about one of the top 10 greatest nights of her life

I have always loved the music of “The Boss,” although I cannot take credit for being one of “those” fans. The die-hards who know every album, can argue song lyrics and set lists and tour dates and such. But I am a born and bred Jersey girl, and when our most famous native plays his premier gig in the largest city in the state ... well, attention must be paid. On Wednesday night, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band played for the first time at the Prudential Center in Newark. And I was there. My invitation to Wednesday night’s show came via my well-connected friend Kathy. Her late night text message asking “What are you doing tomorrow night?” set into motion one of the Top Ten All Time Greatest Nights of My Entire Life. The pre-married, …

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Take Your Daughters and Sons To Work Day Is Thursday

It’s not just a day off from school; it’s a glimpse into the future.

Not just a day off from school, this Thursday, April 26, is the 20th annual Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day. The event was initially created for girls in 1993 by the Ms. Foundation. The intent was to help increase self-esteem in young girls while exposing them to future career options. Boys joined in on the fun in 2003. For the past 19 years, children all over the country have whistled off to work with a parent or mentor for the day to learn the tricks of their trade. According to the website, Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work, the purpose of the day is to empower children to plan for the future and realize the value of a good education. Some companies go all out and organize activities and programs for children who are visiting…

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Poll: Are Kids Getting Priced Out of Baseball and Softball?

A New York Times article explores the era of the $250 baseball bat.

Have you bought a baseball glove for your Little Leaguer lately? Did you pay more than $100 for it? How about a $250 bat? A New York Times story headlined "Big Price Tags Attached to Even the Littlest Leagues," looks at the big business of equipping youngsters for participation in youth baseball and softball leagues, quoting those costs and more.  "A batting helmet protects tiny heads for $39.99," the Times reports. "A pair of Nike Jordan Black Cat cleats will make your child fast and fashionable at $51.99 until he or she outgrows them." So what do you think? Has the cost of bats and gloves taken our kids too far from the simpler days of sandlot and playground ballgames? Or have you had better luck finding more modestly priced equipment …

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From Finicky Eater to Gourmand

Westmont's Pour House Is a Beer Lover's Paradise

Great selection and great prices make The Pour House stand a (foamy) head above the competition.

I really wanted to like The Pour House. I had heard great things about their extensive beer and burger-centric menu, and I figured a Flyers/Phillies double header would provide an ideal opportunity to experience it for myself. I really, really wanted to like The Pour House. And you know what? I really, really did. A little background: I was a bit apprehensive about The Pour House when I learned it was owned by the same group that owns the P.J. Whelihan's franchises that dot the South Jersey landscape.  Nothing against P.J. Whelihan's; it’s just your run-of-the-mill sports bar that offers pretty standard food and drink. When I saw The Pour House’s beer list, however, featuring 141 different bottles (including the notoriously difficult to …

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Letter to the Editor

N.J. Attorney General: Fugitives Should Take Advantage of 'Safe Surrender'

The program offers fugitives wanted for non-violent crimes a chance to surrender in a neutral location. Those who do will receive more favorable consideration from the court.

To the Editor: Fugitives hiding from the law will soon have the opportunity to surrender safely at a neutral location in Atlantic City, take responsibility for their offenses and receive favorable consideration from the court. Fugitive Safe Surrender–New Jersey Southern Region offers those wanted on New Jersey warrants for non-violent offenses a final opportunity to resolve their matters. The previous Fugitive Safe Surrenders events in New Jersey allowed more than 10,000 people to stop running from the law.   Fugitive Safe Surrender will operate on Saturday, April 21 and Monday, April 23 through Wednesday, April 25 at Grace Assembly of God Church, 201 Atlantic Ave., Atlantic City. Individuals can turn themselves in at the church from 9:00 …

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Christina Paciolla

12:23 am on Friday, April 20, 2012

David, Each Patch site has an editor. There are more than 800 sites in the country and we are all under the umbrella of of AOL and Huffington Post. This story appeared on several sites. Whatever site you happen to be on, you can go to the home page and see the editor's picture, name and information in the upper left corner. Christina, Editor of Cinnaminson Patch   more ›