Day: February 28, 2011

March 3rd:The Hina Doll Festival in Japan

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

In Japan,the timing corresponds to the blossoming of peach trees,so the name has come to be known as the\”day of the peach.\” This is the day that girls celebrate the doll festival known as hina matsuri, drinking shirozake (white sake) and eating sweets.

In some regions,dolls made of paper are set adrift in the river to dispel bad luck.
This festival is to wish for good health,growth and happy marriages of young girls. Dolls in ancient costumes are displayed on tiers of shelves covered by a bright red cloth.These dolls represent the emperor and empress,their nobel court ladies-in-waiting and ministers.
The Doll Festival dates back from midieval times,but it was not until the 18th century that the custom of displaying dolls came into fashion.The dolls are usually on display for about a week,but it is customary to put them away soon after March 3 because leaving them out for a long time is said to delay a daughter\’s marriage.

Japanese can\’t ever let that happen,\”so everyone works feverishly to get them put away as quickly as they can.\”
Warm Regards and Best Wishes from Kitakyushu City, Japan.

We\’re all looking forward to the coming spring and much warmer weather. Hank F. Miller Jr. 


 

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DAMMINGER: West Deptford Residents Will See a Decrease in Taxes

(West Deptford, NJ) – Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger said today that Revaluation notices will be mailed this week to West Deptford taxpayers advising them of their preliminary assessed value for 2011. Damminger said that the revaluation projects a decrease in 2011 taxes for the average residential property by $276.43.

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Status of the Exploration of the Proposed Countywide Police and Fire Initiative.

 

Op Ed from Camden County Board of Freeholders:

By Louis Cappelli, Jr. and Rodney Greco

As we move forward in the exploration of the possibility of a countywide police and/or fire department, we thought it was time to reiterate the parameters of the exploration and to update residents on where we are in the process.

It bears repeating that there is no county pre-conceived plan nor the inclination or authority for the county to force municipalities to do anything. Although we thought we had made it clear that the county’s role is solely to act as facilitator in exploring this option, media coverage has been all over the place, with some reporters predicting a \”revolt\” if towns were forced to join. This is a joint exploration on the county and local level. And it would not be the first time that a shared services agreement was explored or implemented. The emergency 9-1-1 system is one example, and the Camden County Library System is another.

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50 Employers to Attend County Career Resource Event on April 6th Career Counselors

 

(Deptford, NJ)- Fifty area employers and a variety of service and referral agencies will be available to speak with job seekers at the April 6th Gloucester County Career Resource Event to help residents looking to improve their job options and search for employment.

Employers are still able to participate and those wishing to recruit potential employees should call 856-384-6963 or register at www.wibnj.com.

The Career Resource event will take place from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Gloucester County College gymnasium and will showcase area employers who are accepting resumes for current and future positions. Resources and guidance on support services such as child care, utility bills, health-care insurance and unemployment benefits to aid struggling individuals and families will also be available.

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Philadelphia and NCAA Celebrate Storied Partnership

 

Latest News from the Philadelphia Sports Congress

 

In January, Philadelphia and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) celebrated their partnership together and highlighted upcoming events at a City Hall press conference.

Over the next four years, Philadelphia will host six NCAA events encompassing five different sports. These events are expected to generate $75 million for the region.

At the event, Mayor Michael A. Nutter was joined by Greg Shaheen, NCAA Interim Executive Vice President of Championships and Alliances, and Tom Lynch, Vice Chairman of the Philadelphia Sports Congress (PSC). Legendary Philadelphia announcer Dan Baker emceed the event.

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Gloucester City News Headlines for March 3 issue

  • Heroin Kills Again; Stop The Scourge – Front Page Editorial
  • Gloucester City Council Promotes Police Officers, Firefighters
  • City Council Approves Resolution Naming Lourdes, Not City EMTs, As New Ambulance Service
  • Bellmawr Mayor Filipek Says He Is Hoping For No Layoffs
  • County Freeholders Give Update On Countywide Police, Fire Proposal

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