WASHINGTON, NJ (Warren County) – Prevention Task Force (PTF) is committed to building a safe, healthy and drug-free community by preventing and reducing DUI rates and binge drinking among 18-25 year olds in Warren County. PTF invited local restaurants/bars in our area to join the PTF ”How are you getting home tonight?” designated driver campaign.

PTF provided flyers for the businesses to post in high-traffic areas at their location. These flyers listed dollar amounts of NJ DUI surcharges associated with driving under-the-influence. Phone numbers of certain taxi services were printed at the bottom of the flyers. The phone numbers are valuable for patrons who knew they had too much to drink and realized they couldn’t drive home safely. They could tear off the phone number, call the taxi and get a safe drive home.

PTF thanks these local businesses for supporting our campaign: Black Stones Bar & Grill, Hackettstown, NJ; Marleys Gotham Grill, Hackettstown, NJ; Pinstripes Sports Cafe, Alpha, NJ; The Brass Rail, Phillipsburg, NJ; and Marz Bar, Phillipsburg, NJ. PTF invites other businesses to request flyers and join this important campaign.

For more information, please contact: PTF, 20 West Washington Ave., Washington, NJ 07882; Ph: 908-835-1800; Fax: 908-835-9021; Email: info@cprwc.com; Website: www.preventiontaskforcewc.com.

On National Trails Day, June 2, 2012, a hike will be held through the forested beauty of Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area, as well as a possible trail project. At Old Troy County Park there will be a scheduled walk, hike, and trail building project. The West Morris Greenway will have a newly completed section of trail for hiking, and also a bike hike. Participants interested in the West Morris Greenway activities will meet at Horseshoe Lake in Roxbury.

REI has been a partner of the Morris County Park Commission since they moved to East Hanover. Staff volunteer days have been scheduled in the parks and the Park Commission hosts a variety of Outdoor School classes coordinated by REI staff. Additional volunteer opportunities available at the Morris County Park Commission for individuals, families, and group volunteer trail projects are available through the Adopt-A- Trail program, as well as opportunities for volunteer days to be arranged for groups such as business teams or Scouts. Projects for Eagle Scouts and Girl Scout Gold Awards have also been arranged.

National Trails Day launched in 1993 when the American Hiking Society joined other organizations to take on the challenge issued in a report to President Ronald Reagan in 1987 that Americans should be able to walk out their front door and, within 15 minutes, be on a trail. Trails do not just happen. It takes many hours of planning and projects. National Trails Day is a celebration of trails, increasing awareness of the hard work of many people to bring us this wonderful resource and to introduce people to the many benefits of trails.

For more details on the Morris County Park Commission’s National Trails Day programs, check out our website at www.morrisparks.net. For more information on the Alliance for Morris County Parks, go to www.parkallaince.net.

Denise Lanza, Director of Development

B: 973-326-7615, DLanza@morrisparks.net

Thursday, May 17, 2012 – 3:00pm until 5:00pm

‘G is for Garden State: A New Jersey Alphabet,’ is one of the books in the best-selling children’s pictorial series Discover America State by State. The book was illustrated by local artist Doris Ettlinger. Ettlinger and the WBID are co-hosting a children’s Story Walk.

The Walk takes place from 3:00-5:30 p.m., beginning at the WBID office, 21 Belvidere Avenue, and finishes up at the Washington Library. There is no cost for participants.

The walk includes various stops along the route to enjoy pages from the book, with some extra fun and goodies too. Sicilia Bakery, JLA Embroidery, My Children’s Dentist, Washington KidCare & Learning Center, and Illustrator Doris Ettlinger will provide giveaways to the first 200 children who attend!

Check out www.grooveinthegrove.com or FaceBook  www.facebook.com/grooveinthegrove

This year, Groove in the Grove, sponsored in part by Joe Hirsh Productions, will feature more than a dozen area songwriters including area favorites Chelsea Carlson, Mef Gannon, Jack Tannehill and Chasing June.

Groove in the Grove also features an Acoustic Open mic stage from noon – 3pm (spots are limited) where other up-and-coming musicians can perform an up-to 3 song/15 minute set. The “winner”of the open mic will get a 2 song set on the Main Stage just prior to the evening concert.

Eryn Shewell Band of Central Jersey is the evening headliner. Eryn’s sound is a “sophisticated cocktail of sound fusing jazz, blues and country, a splash of Motown and a whole lotta soul”.

The Gates open at Noon and the music goes to 10pm  - open mic sign ups start 11:30 – the full main stage schedule is below. There will also be a variety of vendors to add to the fun, everything from tie-dye to illuminated stars, artwork and artisanal jewelry, face-painting and henna tattoos.

Food will be available from Vasa Park Vendors and Ono Hula truck, and both stages will have full-service bars nearby. (No outside food or drink permitted) .

Groove in the Grove is sponsored by Joe Hirsh Productions, Skylands UU Fellowship, Charmoy Dental, and Your Grandmother’s Cupboard. Your Grandmother’s Cupboard is a non-profit providing “the other necessities” for working poor and homeless families and will be holding a personal care products drive at the festival.

Enjoy the opening of the 2012 festival season under the trees and the stars at GROOVE IN THE GROVE in beautiful Vasa Park!

10 AM – 6 PM  /   7 PM – 9 PM  After-Party

PRESS RELEASE

This event is not to be missed.  Never before has an event like this been promoted in northwestern New Jersey.  This is a cultural event for everyone.  Whether you are a vendor, crafter, entertainer, or spectator, this will be a day to remember.  This event will boast a fine line-up of music and live musicians throughout the day.  Family fun activities such as a bocce ball, mini-golf, stilt-walker, face painting, balloon artist, a petting zoo, pony rides, inflatable rides  ethnic foods, “Heritage Trees”, crafters, vendors, a Ventriloquist performance, Foreign and Classic Car Show, and much more for the price of admission.  Bring the family, the neighbors, organizations, clubs, have a reunion, or come alone.  Bring your lawn chairs and blankets (coolers and pets will NOT be permitted in the park) and relax while you enjoy mingling with Italians and Italian-Americans.  All types of food will be available for purchase as will all beverages. Do you know the “region” of Italy your family migrated from? Can you find a “paesano”?  Bring family pictures, you just don’t know who you will meet!

Admission to the Festival includes all activities and Car Show:

$ 10 Adults, $ 6 Students/Seniors, Children under 5 FREE.

There will be an After-Party which includes a buffet dinner and Comedy Show with “Uncle Floyd” . Purchase Comedy Show Tickets before June 1 to be guaranteed a reservation.

Cost : $ 30 per person.

Vending and Sponsor opportunities are available by contacting STM PROMOTIONS, LLC. at stmpromosllc@yahoo.com or Maria at 973.296.7638.