Marlton's annual event is free and is hosted by The Center For The Arts in Southern New Jersey, Evesham Fire-Rescue and Evesham Township Department of Recreation.

The station will be decorated like a Winter Wonderland and Santa will arrive by sliding down the fire pole at 6pm sharp. Stop by with your toy lists for Santa and get your picture taken with the jolly ole' fella! Food will be available for purchase from local vendors.

Information about the Center for the Arts in Southern New Jersey can be can be found online at www.cfasnj.com. The CFASNJ is located near the Indian Springs Golf Course at 123 South Elmwood Rd.

Don't miss out on this annual event and get you picture with Santa for free!

In just a few short hours, Santa will be arriving in the Marlton New Jersey area, with a big bag full of presents for all. Hopefully jolly old Saint Nick will have something for you!

And thanks to noradsanta.org you can track Santa's arrival to Marlton below, and see where he already been.

Merry Christmas everyone from DiscoverMarlton.com

And if you are one of  the many residents in the Marlton area, you are probably asking the question: when do all those Christmas trees get pickup by Evesham township?

The answer is, all trees will  be collected during the weeks of January 11-15 and 18-22, 2010 on the regularly scheduled trash day.

Make sure the trees have the stand removed and be free of plastic covering (flocked trees cannot be recycled and will be collected with bulk trash).

If you don't want to wait for the scheduled pickup, you can always take the tree down to the township's Department Of Public Works, located at 501 Evesboro-Medford Road Marlton, NJ 08053 (856) 983-2798.

So if your looking for a party or somewhere to take the kids, here's what's on tap in and around the Marlton area:

All events are on Thursday 12/31/2009

Garden State Discovery Museum – Three celebrations at 10am, 12pm, 2pm – Be the first to ring in the New Year – kid-style! From New York to Paris to Beijing, the entire Museum and the kids, will be singing, dancing and counting down to 2010 with our biggest celebration(s) yet! 2040 Springdale Road Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 Phone: 856-424-1233.

Kids Music Round New Year’s Celebration! (Ages 1-4) – Evesham Branch Library 11am – Come celebrate the end of the old year and the beginning of the new with music. Play musical instruments, have fun with rhymes, singing, dancing and more! A fun bonding time for kids and parents. Presented by: Marcia Kratz. 984 Tuckerton Road Marlton, NJ 08053 Phone: 856-983-1444.

New Year's Eve Family Splash Blast – CoCo Key Water Resort 2pm – Call (866) 754-6964 and ask for the New Year's Eve Splash. $449 for a family of 4; $549 for a family of 5. 915 Route 73, Mount Laurel NJ.

New Year's Eve Celebration For Kids – M. Allan Vogelson Regional Branch Library (Voohrees) 11:5am – This New Year's Eve celebration, designed especially for kids, will include a countdown, craft, stories and lots of fun. To register, call (856) 772-1636 or visit camdencountylibrary.org. 203 Laurel Road Voorhees, 08043

Disney Countdown To The New Year – Katz JCC (CHerry Hill) 4 to 7pm -  Bring in 2010 early with your family. Music, dinner, dancing, games, crafts, swimming, Disney characters and more. Register by Dec. 24. Call 856-424-4444, ext. 111, or e-mail lnadler@jfedsnj.org. $30 per family of four; $5 each additional child. www.katzjcc.org. 1301 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill Nj 08003.

First Night Burlington County – High Street, Mount Holly 4 to 9pm – The cost is $10. This year theme of the event correlating with the Chinese calendar; the year of the Tiger. We ring in the New Year with a roar. The downtown will come to life with family friendly entertainment, including tours and storytelling at the Burlington County Prison Museum. Back by popular demand, the dogs will be pouncing their way down High Street in our Pet Parade, Wii game contest, build your tiger mask, face painting, balloon art, prizes and give a ways. An entire evening of entertainment is planned for the family. Fieworks begin at 9:15pm. For more information, call (609) 914-0811 or visit mainstreetmountholly.com.

Kids' Kazoo Parade – The Pop Shop Collingswood 4:15pm – Mummers from a local string band will lead the parade down Haddon Avenue. Kazoos will be provided. Following the parade, kids will be given confetti and hold a New Year's countdown with complimentary cookies and hot chocolate. In case of inclement weather the parade will be held inside. 729 Haddon Ave Collingswood, NJ 08108. Phone: 856-869-0111

Catelli Ristorante – Ring in the New Year with live entertainment, hats, noisemakers and a midnight champagne toast. Special a la carte menu offered  (view menu). Reservations for New Years Eve available from 4:30 PM till 10:30 PM. Reservations from 9 PM and later will have live entertainment, hats, noise makers and Champagne Toast at Midnight. 1000 Main Street Voorhees, NJ 08043-4600 856-751-6069.

First Night Haddonfield – Downtown Haddonfield NJ 6pm-12am – The family-friendly event includes singers, jugglers and many more entertainers at churches, schools and other venues along Kings Highway. Buttons are $12 and are required for admission. Buttons are available at the Haddonfield Information Center, Markeim Arts Center and some local businesses. Visit firstnighthaddonfield.org or call (856)216-7253 for information.

New Year's Eve Family Jam – Betsy Fischer's Groove Lounge, 7:30pm to 10pm 701 Cooper Road, Suite 3, Voorhees NJ. Family party with dancing, games, food, prizes and more to ring in the new year. For families with children ages 12 and younger. Registration is requested. $19.95 per person. (856) 504-3913. betsy@groovelounge.net. groovelounge.net.

Congregation M'kor Shalom – Boomers Group New Year's Eve Party 9pm – The Boomers Group sponsors a New Year’s Eve party. DJ will dance the night away. Price $55 (RSVP by Dec 11) or $60 (after Dec 11). For more information, contact the synagogue office at 856-424-4220 or visit Mkorshalom.org. 850 E. Evesham Road Cherry Hill, NJ 08003.

Scaturros Restaurant – News Years Eve Bash And Campagne Toast At Midnight. For more information call 856-985-456. 841 Route 73 S Marlton, NJ 08053.

Fireworks At Penns Landing (Philadelphia & Camden waterfronts) – There will be two fireworks displays along the Delaware River waterfront New Year’s Eve to say "goodbye" to 2009 and "hello" to 2010.

In addition to the traditional — at least since 1991 — fireworks display at midnight, there will be one at 6 p.m.

Visitors to both the Philadelphia and Camden waterfronts will be able to hear the synchronized soundtracks for the fireworks from speakers on the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing and Wiggins Park in Camden. KYW Newsradio will also broadcast the official soundtracks to both shows.  CBS 3 will televise the traditional fireworks show live at midnight.

Experience The Best View Of Philly Fireworks On The Battleship New Jersey – A 6 pm fireworks display has been added for New Year's Eve! Now families with younger children can experience the best view of the Fireworks over the Delaware River on New Year's from the Battleship New Jersey. Enjoy music, prizes, food and bar concessions, as well as a unique view of both the 6 pm or the midnight fireworks from the decks of the Battleship. The ship will open at 4 pm for the early show and 10 pm for the midnight show. The price is a $8 donation per person. NJ Transits RiverLine will offer late service to the Camden Waterfront on New Year's Eve. For a schedule, visit Riverline.com. Tickets for the Battleship can be purchased online, or by phone at 866-877-6262 x 107, or at the Ticket Office until midnight of Dec. 31.

Scavelli has been a critical part of the administration for the last few years. As assistant superintendent for business, Scavelli has overseen the budget and helped to lead the district through these tough economic times.

Scavelli has a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a master’s degree in School Business Administration from Glassboro State College, now known as Rowan University. He holds a teaching certificate in Mathematics, as well as certifications for School Business Administrator and School Administrator.

John began his career in education in 1988 at Pitman High School teaching Mathematics. All together, he has 18 years of school administrative experience. Prior to his arrival in Evesham, Scavelli worked in the Franklin Township School District for almost 12 years, the last three as superintendent.  Evesham Township School District was fortunate to have hired John as assistant superintendent for business in July 2007.

Read full story at Evesham Township School District.

The winner was announced last Thursday December 17th with a 57% victory over the Academy of Notre Dame Women's Choral. The choir won a Cunningham Model 125 Studio Piano from Cunningham Piano Company valued at $7,390 and will have their winning song “Carol of the Bells” played on B101 for the rest of the holiday season.

Listen to song:

B101 sponsored the contest as a way to "search for the region's best school music group or choir in grades K-12" in the eight counties of the Philadelphia area, according to a station representative.

Listeners voted the Cherokee choir as their favorite by tallies submitted over the last month to the station's Web site, www.b101radio.com. More than 100 choirs in the Delaware Valley submitted a song to the radio station. The runner-up was the Academy of Notre Dame Woman's Choral for "Mary, Did You Know" and Lenape High School's concert choir received an honorable mention for its version of "Carol of the Bells."

source: phillyburbs.com

McCurdy's Armor is a "Lego-type system" of frames, connected with steel pins, that can be reinforced with armor plate, sand and "ballistic glass", according to Dynamic promotional materials. The parts can be trucked into place and assembled on site as outposts or shelters during "rapid deployment," to defend against bullets and fragments from grenades and bombs.

The armor plates are made by "different vendors throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York," says Joseph Dimond, product specialist and military liaison for Dynamic. He said this was the largest order to date for the system… read full article at philly.com.

Dynamic Defense Materials, LLC is located at 100 Sharp Road Marlton, NJ 08053. Phone  856.552.4150.

Viewers can meet personalities, be entertained and drink coffee while sending holiday greetings to the troops.

Operation Homefront provides emergency and morale assistance for our troops, the families they leave behind and for wounded warriors when they return home. A nonprofit 501(c)(3), Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers in 30 chapters nationwide and has met more than 105,000 needs of military families. Operation Homefront also hosts the Web community Operation Homefront Online8:00am – 11:00am. For more information, please visit www.operationhomefront.net and www.homefrontonline.com .

FOX 29 and Operation Homefront are sending taped holiday greetings to U.S. troops this holiday season.

Viewers can also make a donation for care packages for troops and the local families whose loved ones are serving our country away from home. Operation Homefront will handle the collection and delivery of greetings and donations.

To get the extra $10 gift certificate, just mention the promotion upon purchase at the following South Jersey Hotchefs participating restaurants:

Offer good from 11/27/2009 to 12/20/09

Participating Restaurants:

• Andreotti's (1442 E Rt70 Cherry Hill NJ – 856-795-CAFE)
• Anthony`s (512 Station Ave Haddon Heights NJ – 856-310-7766)
• Bacio (2806 Rt 130N Cinnaminson NJ – 856-303-9100)
• Barnsboro Inn (699 Main St Sewell NJ – 856-468-3557)
• Blueplate (47 S. Main Street Mullica Hill NJ – 856-478-2112)
• Catelli's (Plaza 1000 Main Street Voorhees NJ – 856-751-6069)
• Coriander (910 Haddonfield-Berlin Rd Voorhees NJ 856-566-4546)
• Cork (90 Haddon Avenue Westmont NJ – 856.833.9800)
• Elements (517 Station Ave Haddon Heights NJ – 856-546-8840)
  
• Esperanza (40 E Gibbsboro Rd Lindenwold NJ – 856-782-7114)
• Max`s (34 N. Burlington St. Gloucester NJ – 856-456-9774
• Scaturro's (841 Rt. 73S Marlton NJ – 856-985-4560)
• Swanky Bubbles (482 Evesham Rd Cherry Hill NJ – 856-428-4999)
• Ted`s on Main (20 South Main St Medford NJ – 609-654-7011
• Tre Famigilia (403 N Haddon Ave Haddonfield NJ – 856.429.1447)
• Villari's – (Rt. 73 N & Spring Garden St Palmyra NJ – 856-829-7373)

Where: 6001 West Lincoln Drive Marlton Nj 08053  Phone: 856-985-5500

Who: Rizzieri Salon & Spa – The Shoppes at Rizzieri – Primadonna ~ Joey's Boutique – The Rizzieri School of Massage – The Cafe at Rizzieri

Description: You are cordially invited to attend. Featuring, complimentary mini spa services and hair demos. Vendor giveaway baskets every 30 minutes. Purchase a Holiday Gift Card and receive a "Thank You" card worth $105 in savings! Free mini services and tours of our facility will be available for you to experience. Holiday Discounts on Select Items

Hors D'oeuvres sponsored by The Capital Grille Cherry Hill. Desserts sponsored by Classic Cake. Wine sponsored by Canals Hainesport

For more information call 856-985-5500.

The winner of this game can boast it won in one of the state's toughest fields. Five of the eight teams were ranked in The Star-Ledger Top 20 when the playoffs began. Cherokee, ranked No. 2, advanced with a 30-21 victory over No. 3 Wiliamstown in the semifinals.

Cherokee started the season fast, going undefeated in their first ten games, only to fall to Seneca on Thanksgiving Day. Cherokee is no stranger to title games, with a 6-5 record and winning it all in 1981, '82, '85, 1990, '93 and recently in 2005.

Egg Harbor Township, ranked #1,  is the only undefeated team left in South Jersey. Starting the season with shutouts in four of six games, they have since given up more than 17 points per game in the last last five games. Egg Harbor Eagles are looking for their first state championship since 1993 when they were in the Group 3.

It doesn't get any better than having #1 vs #2 to play for the State crown. Saturday's game should be a good one.

Cherokee High School is located at 120 Tomlinson Mill Rd Marlton, NJ 08053.

Every year, they have decorated their home with over 100,000 lights for the holidays, that creates an awesome display not be missed, aimed to raise awareness for a good cause.

Once again, they are raising money for Yellow Ribbon Club, which provides support the United States Military Forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan by shipping care packages, helping to promote and foster welcoming home events for local veterans, and providing monetary assistance to U.S. military hospitals and care facilities.

According to Yellow Ribbon Club President & Founder Leslie Drummond:

They go “overboard” every year with their decorations in order to bring attention to a “cause”. Every year they are selected to be featured on CBS news for their “decorations” and for the “cause they support. They did this last year and chose the Yellow Ribbon Club as recipients for this. We had a nice show of support last year and the Ronketty’s raised a few hundred dollars for the Yellow Ribbon Club.

CBS 3 will broadcast live from their home (58 King Ave. Marlton, NJ 08053)  at 4 to 6pm. The first broadcast will be exactly at 4pm.

The Ronketty's and the Yellow Ribbon club are looking to raise awareness with this great cause, so if you are able to stop by bring flags, ribbons and anything patriotic…"like motorcycles".

The Ronketty’s will have light refreshments and a performance by a magician, so bring the kids.

CBS 3 also has their annual Joy of Sharing toy campaign benefiting the Salvation Army drive going on as well. So bring an unwrapped toy for their drive. This is a win-win night. Help kids and help support the troops.

source: Gloucester City News

…or bicycling and skateboarding or scooters and in-line skates (does walking count?)…

…whether you are chatting or texting.

If you are caught with a cell phone in your hand, while driving moving, expect to pay a $75 fine for the first offense.

That means, under the new ban, you can talk on your hands-free set. You just cannot be touching your phone, so no texting or dialing out. The fines will double to $150 or more if the ticket isn't paid.

The citation is a city issued fine, not a traffic citation, which means citations won't result in points against your drivers' record.

Want to challenge your citation? Don't go to Traffic Court.

Because it's a code violation, the citations must be appealed to the Office of Administrative Review, which falls under the city's Finance Department.

One exception to the ban is that state police will not be enforcing the local law on the interstates that it patrols within city limits, including the Schuylkill Expressway, I-95, and the Vine Street expressway.

So, for us New Jersey residents this law is nothing new, unless you forgot, the state also has a cell phone ban already in effect.

Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel….(yea you remember that old Doors song)

Usually Murphy's Law is in effect, when discounted coupons show up in your mailbox…and you don't need them, while they are no where to be found when you do need repairs.

So you end up taking the car in anyway and pay full price. Not anymore, thanks to the Internet.

Fortunately for us, businesses are realizing that if they want to keep customers, they better have a website where consumers can find coupons and discounts deals instead of losing business to their competitors.

So before picking up the phone and scheduling service, check out these sites for coupons that will save you money on auto repairs and maintenance around the Marlton area.

(Don't see a repair shop, look one up in the Marlton Automotive Directory)

NOTE: Check expiration dates on coupons before scheduling service.

Jiffy Lube – Get $5 off a Jiffy Lube Signature Service Oil Change that includes 5 quarts of quality motor oil, an oil filter, along with tire pressure check, and top off fluids (transmission, differential, power steerinf, windshield washer and battery. Also don't forget to check their Special Promotions section for other discounts. Jiffy Lube locations can be found in Cherry Hill,  Maple Shade.

Firestone Compete Auto Care Service Centers – Find discounts on tires, repairs services such as oil and  filter change, brake service, new batteries, wheel alignments, seasonal checkups and specials. Firestone Auto Care centers can be found in Marlton and Maple Shade.

Vespia Goodyear Total Car Care Centers – Discount coupons for many types of auto repair can be found for battery checks, preventative maintenance, seasonal maintenance (oil changes, check battery, wipers coolant, fluids, belts, hoses, tires, ect). Vespia auto repair centers can be found in Moorestown, Voorhees on RT 73, and Voorhees Haddonfield – Berlin Road locations.

Pepboys Auto -While Pepboys coupon page consists mostly for parts, accessories and other items, you can find discounts for service such as seasonal maintenance, repairs and fluid changes. Best bet is to check the site when your car needs to be serviced or repairs are needed. Also, if you don't have their weekly circular ad around, you can check it out here (just enter your zip code). Pepboys locations: Marlton, Moorestown,  Cherry Hill.

Burns Honda – Got a Honda? Then your in luck, because Burns Honda usually has many coupons available, including mid-week specials that can save you more money. Discounts on service range from oil changes, battery and brake service, tires, etc. Location: Marlton.

Meineke – At Meineke, you can find coupons for oil changes, brakes, belt and hose replacement are among some types of service they perform. Meineke locations: Marlton, Cherry Hill.

Cottman Transmissions – known for transmission repairs, Cottman does offer other repair services such as oil changes, coolant system, belts/hoses, battery, tune ups, and exhaust systems. Cottman locations: Maple Shade.

NTB National Tire and Battery – Locations Maple Shade.

Know about other repair shops that offer discount coupons? Feel free to leave a comment below.

For any driver who attempts to enter the highway, you are immediately faced with two challenges: the Stop sign and missing on-ramp merge lanes, while the requirements are: adjustable driver side mirror that points as far left as possible, and a vehicle whose torque rating is capable of producing 320 lb-ft. @ 100 rpms.

I'm sure you are not the only one who may encounter I295  everyday. If so, check out the article on KYW 1060 news site below.

Drivers have to floor it if they want to merge onto Interstate 295 in South Jersey during the current repaving project.

"I think it's a major accident waiting to happen, to be honest with you."

Bob Kane of Haddon Heights drives Route 295 every day, and he's concerned that during the construction, the on-ramp merge lanes between Cherry Hill and West Deptford have been replaced with stop signs — meaning drivers have to go very quickly from a dead stop to highway speed to join traffic on I-295.

Continue reading: Drivers Describe NJ Construction Zone as Accident Waiting to Happen (source: KYW Newsradio 1060)

Santa must be on his way to the Cherry Hill mall this week.

For kids, the best time of the year is just around the corner and this year Santa is planning on arriving at the mall on Thursday (11/12) and staying until Christmas Eve!

So get your lists together and parents don't forget, the Santa photo operation begins on Thursday, November 12 at 10am and will be available 7 days a week (click for Santa's photo packages and pricing details).

And don't worry if you can't make it this week (or for that matter before Thanksgiving), you will have plenty of time to visit Santa since he sent his hours of operation ahead of time:

Santa Photo Hours:

• Monday – Saturday: 10am-9pm

• Saturday-November 14 – 11am-9pm

Sunday Hours:

• November 15 11:00am-6:00pm

• November 22 11:00am-6:00pm

• November 29 10:00am-8:00pm

• December 6 10:00am-9:00pm

• December 13 9:00am-9:00pm

• December 20 9:00am-9:00pm

• Christmas Eve 9:00am-5:30pm

**Santa will take breaks from 1:00pm-2:00pm and 5:00pm-6:00pm.

Cherry Hill mall address and phone number: 2000 Rt. 38 Cherry Hill, NJ -  Phone: 856- 662-7441

View Larger Map

There are two ways you can report a street light outage.

The first way is to call (depending on your service provider) PSE&G or Atlantic City Electric and report the failed street light so they can fix it. But, before you make that phone call there are three pieces of information you need to have before reporting it.

• The pole number

• Location of the pole

• Nearest cross street

…hmmm, what no GPS co-ordinates?

Now once you have that information, just call PSE&G at 1-800-436-7734 or Atlantic City Electric at 1-800-642-3780 and report the street light outage.

The second way is to use Ask Evesham. This is a system, setup by Evesham township (Department of Public Works), to report problems that need to be fixed.

Once on the page, you will need to create an account if you have not done so already. After you logon, the easiest method is to click on Find Answers (shown with arrow in below screen shot) and search for street light.

The search will return "I have a street light out on my street?" link, after clicking on it, you just need to fill out the service request form and submit it.

The Department of Building and Grounds will submit your request to the appropriate Electric Company.

The all you need to do is wait and PSE&G or Atlantic City Electric will be around with-in a few days (aprox seven days) and fix the street light.

Think about it, with Philadelphia just a stones throw away, and New York an easy ride north, Marton does pretty well with having some of the best pizza restaurants….in our back yard.

And not with just the national known pizza places.

Some of the best family owned pizza businesses are around the Marlton area that serve  numerous types of pizza, from grourmet style pizza, to sicilian, neopolitan,  tuscan and of course the classic pizza smothered with your favorite toppings of choice.

And not only is there great tasting pizza that can found, but we also have a choice of  how we want our pizza cooked, from wood or brick ovens, coal oven, or a traditional gas fired oven.

Now there is one problem with having a great selection of pizza, this close to us.

Who has the best pizza in Marlton that's family owned?

Well, what are you waiting for? Leave a comment and tell us …who has the best Marlton pizza in the area?

• Carolla's Family Restaurant (Rt. 73 and Baker Blvd)
• Ciconte's Italia Pizzeria (915 W Route 70)
• Luigi's Pizza Fresca Italian Eatery (529 Old Marlton Pike)
• Montagnaro's Pizza & Grille (117 Merchants Way)
• Monti's Montagnaro's Pizza Grille (301 Evesboro Medford Rd)
• Pietro's Coal Oven Pizzeria (140 W RT 70)
• Sals Pizzaworks (10 West Main Street)
• Scotto Pizza (230 N Maple Avenue)

Gotta go! Time to get some pizza!

And as long as you get up and get out early, those bargains will be there for you.

So if you are up early with a pocket full of money and coffee in hand, get ready to hit the neighborhoods around town and find a garage or multi family yard sale that suite your needs by checking the list below.

Happy garage or yard sale bargain hunting!

Probably one to many times.

Well, don't feel bad, like many of us out there, using the latest and greatest gadget can be like trying to fly the Space Shuttle and asking "How do I turn it on?"

Fortunately there is help for anyone who was lucky enough to receive a new Apple iPod.

Marlton's Apple Store locates in the Promenade at Sagemore is offering a free iPod and iTunes Workshop.

The workshop is designed to explore iTunes for Mac and Windows and learn why it is the best digital jukebox for Apple's own iTunes music store. You will also learn how to import and organize your music, burn CDs, buy music or audio books from the iTunes Music Store, create playlists, and share your music. And with iPod, you can take your favorite music and even photos with you wherever you go.

You can easily sign up for a workshop by making a reservation at Apple's website. Make sure you select the Sagemore, Marlton store (from the dropdown at the top) and select Music from the navigation panel.

For more information on how to sign up, drop in the Marlton Apple store locate in the Promenade shopping center 500 Route 73 South or call them at (856) 810-3712.