By Laney Plimpton & Jadie Fleischer Mr.

Morros Class

Throughout the Slate Belt community, there are leaders like Jennifer Fleischer who want to make DeFranco Elementary School a better place. Growing up in Bangor and graduating from Bangor High School, Jennifer always had one vision in mind. She wanted to live a happy and healthy life, but she wanted other people to do so also. Her dreams became a reality when she opened Multisport Fitness in Mt. Bethel. She had no idea that it would be as popular as it is today. People come from all over the Lehigh Valley to support this gym. On Sunday, November 11th, Jennifer invited all of DeFranco Elementary School to come and show their spirit by getting maroon hair extensions. All of the proceeds going toward a bike raffle at the end of the school year. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up, says owner, Jennifer Fleischer. When one of her employees had a hair extension, Jennifer asked where she got it. It turns out she did them herself! From that moment on, Jennifer knew that she could easily raise a great amount of money by these simple hair extensions! But where was the money going to go, was the question at the time.

Jennifer thought who better to give the money to than the place she drops her daughter off every morning. She knew that DeFranco was a great school already, and it could only get better! On the morning of November 11th, the whole Fleischer family was getting prepared for an exciting day. Lots of cooking, cleaning, and planning was needed to make this day one to remember. By noon, there were dozens of people lined up, some getting maroon hair extensions (Bangor Area School Districts color), and some getting green, blue, pink, and many other colors. After all of the hair extensions were completed, Jennifer held an hour long Zumba class taught by Megan Vogel. She then treated all of the wonderful clients to salad, bagels, and other snacks. After the highenergetic Zumba class, the amazing Angel Williams, featured on the Dr. Oz show and Good Morning America showed up. Angel is a wonderful singer and hip hop dancer, who will leave you with tears of joy. In just 2 hours, she taught that beauty, weight, and looks dont mean a thing, but its ones spirit, kindness, and love that will get you far. Angel then guided the group through an awesome dance routine, and sang one of her original

The Seventh Annual Jimmy Gum Slate Belt Most Valuable Player Award was presented at the Slate Pub on December 12th. John Williams presented the trophy to Scott Beltz of Pen Argyl High School. Runners-up for the Award were Mikey Racciato of Pen Argyl High School, Phil Vass of Bangor High School and T.J. Belle of Pius X High School. Each of the students received a copy of Emmitt Smiths book, Game On as well as a gift certificate to Chick-fil-A.

By Maria Cascario

John interviewed the students and gave their

stats. Roy Cortez, who coached Jimmy Gum at

Pen Argyl High spoke briefly on his career, Previous winners of the Award are Dan Ruggiero, Wade Williams, Scott LaValva (who won twice), Dylan Evans, (who won twice), and A.J. Long. Coaches from the three schools were in attendance as well as Jimmy Gums parents, Sherwood and June Gum, and his wife, Stacy Gum. The award presentation is always an enjoyable event and an opportunity for the student athletes and their coaches to enjoy each others company.

available for private parties, showers, luncheons and any occasion. It has even been the setting for weddings. Chris, one of the servers at The Broadway Pub, said I look forward to coming in every day because its a great place to work. We have a great clientele and I enjoy serving my customers. The quality of food is amazing and the chef is

outstanding! Jaap, the owner of the Broadway Pub, said, At the Pub, we strive for excellence in all aspects of our business, to provide the best possible dining experience you can have. Whether it be our dedicated servers, our knowledgeable bartenders, or our top notch kitchen staff, we want each night here to be a memory instead of a meal!

The Broadway Pub, 62 Broadway, Bangor, is having its Grand Re-Opening January 10th through January 13th! The historic eatery, known throughout the area for its vintage atmosphere, is poised to regain its place as a destination for fine food and drink. Located conveniently in the center of Bangor, the charm of its tin ceiling, cozy and casual dining room and full service bar is a find for travelers as well as townspeople. The Pub, which has undergone a transformation in recent years, will feature dinner specials during the Re-opening. Favorites on the menu will still be available and they include Calamari, fried golden

By Maria Cascario

with banana peppers; Asian Pecan Chicken Salad; Honey Crunch (made with pickles in a wrap) and Chicken and Roasted Pepper Panini. Entres include Chicken Penne ala Vodka; Jumbo Shrimp Pomodaro over angel hair pasta; a variety of Salads and Burgers, Melts and Wraps, Sandwiches and Appetizers including Quesadillas; Wings, Chicken Tenders and more! There is also a kids menu. Patrons have described the Broadway Pub as a place for all ages with its quiet and casual dining room and consistently good food and good service. On a recent visit there, one patron said The Broadway Pub has the best and most original food in the Slate Belt. The dining room is

Get Ready for The PRESS Annual Pet Photo Contest! Check next weeks edition for details! We would like to wish a very Happy Belated Berthday to Jeramy Albert. Jeramy celebrated on January 1st. We hope you had a fantastic day, Jer! We would like to wish Quinton Keeler a very Happy Belated Birthday on January 1st. We hope your birthday was fantastic, Quinton! Drew Smolenyak

will be celebrating his birthday on January 3rd. Have a wonderful day, Drew! Happy Birthday wishes are sent to Dale Young, who will be celebrating on January 5th. Have a great day, Dale! We would like to wish Rachel Degwitz a very Happy 24th Birthday on January 9th. Have a wonderful day, Rachel! The Delaware-Lehigh Amateur Radio Club will hold its monthly meeting Thursday,

January 3rd, 7:30pm, in the Bethlehem Township Community Center, 2900 Farmersville Road, Bethlehem. The program will include discussion of My American Freedom Via Amateur Radio - AC7HU." Members and interested general public are welcome. For more information, visit www.dlarc.org or call 610-432-8286. Camp Papillon Pet Adoption and Rescue will be holding a Pet Adoption Day at Tractor Supply in Brodheadsville on January 6th. Meet some adorable and adoptable bunnies, dogs and kitties. For more information about Camp Papillon, visit their website at camppapillon.org. Speers Meats is

happy to announce after four years and many requests, they now have a website! There is a section for pre-orders, a product list that can be sent to email, also, testimonials can be sent to Speers and be added to the site. In the future, there will be recipes on the site and a short newsletter. If you have any great recipes with their products also send them to Speers and they will post it. They will post specials, new products, and pictures. It will continue to be a work in process. Check out the website at www.speersmeats.com. We love hearing from you! Send your birthdays, anniversaries, and other tidbits of information to us at: The PRESS 1 Broadway, Bangor, PA 18013

Here is a list of the new items added to the collection of the Bangor Public Library during the week of December 13th through 19th, 2012. Adult non-fiction: Aslett, Don, Clutter be gone; Beautiful stranger; Latus, Janine, If I am missing or dead; and Noble, Kim, All of me. Young Adult fiction: Teitelbaum, Michael, Avatar, the last airbender. Junior non-fiction: Connors, Kathleen, Petrified forests; Graham, Ruth Bell, One wintry night; Shea, Therese , The bizarre life

cycle of an octopus. Easy non-fiction: Waters, Cindy, The newborn king. Easy Reader nonfiction: Carraway, Rose, Cows on the farm; Jeffries, Joyce, Meet the fireman; Kawa, Katie, My first trip on an airplane; Kawa, Katie , My first trip to the fire station. DVDs: Baby Mozart; Blues clues: classic clues; Green eggs and ham and other favorites; Gromits tail-waggin dvd; Hannah Montana: the movie; Hotel for dogs; Scooby-Doo 2: monsters unleashed; Soccer dog: the movie.

The Slate Belt Chamber of Commerce held a Holiday Luncheon to support Slate Belt Toys for Children in the Slater Conference Room at Bangor School Districts Administration Building. Attendees were asked to donate an unwrapped gift for Slate Belt children. The toys will be given out through the Slater Family Network and Families First. Laura McLain, Chamber Office Manager, said Its our pleasure, once again, to

By Maria Cascario

host the Luncheon with the co-operation of the Culinary Department of CIT (Career Institute of Technology). The students cooked the meal and it was enjoyed by all. Nancy Serulneck, transition coordinator at Bangor High School, said The culinary arts students from CIT under the direction of Tom Adams planned the menu and prepared all the food. This is the third year for the students to be involved with the holiday luncheon, and the second year they cooked

the food. Dr. Frank DeFelice, Acting Superintendent said This is a wonderful opportunity to help those in need and to reach out to our community partners for a common goal. Holiday entertainment was provided by the Bangor High School Singers, under the direction of Christopher Connelly, who performed a medley of songs and delighted the audience. Everyone agreed that the food was delicious and the entertainment was spectacular!

On Wednesday, January 23rd, at 4pm, Magician Abby London of Lansdale, will be performing at the Bangor Public Library. This show's aweinspiring magic transfixes older children and grownups, while a goofy presentation draws belly laughs from the younger children. There is mind reading; objects appear and vanish an so much more. Abby elicits lots of audience participation to keep the children engaged and plenty of silliness to keep them laughing. The ever-popular Huggie Monkey opens the show, and another animal puppet closes the show. The show will last for approximately 45 minutes. Inspiring laughter and wonder for a living is an honor and a joy. People often ask how I came to be a children's entertainer. After graduate school, while working a traditional job, I stumbled into this vocation at the age of 30, said Abby. Please call the Bangor Public Library at 610588-4136 for further information or to register for the event.

Kale W. Baker, of Pen Argyl, has been elected as Worshipful Master of Portland Lodge #311, F&AM, during the Lodges annual election meeting held on December 13. As the elected head of the lodge, he will preside during all of 2013, the lodges 157th year of organization. He succeeds Patrick J. Howarth, Jr., of Bangor, who was elected as the Lodges Representative to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Baker is a graduate of Bangor Area High School and the Career Institute of Technology, Class of 1994. He is employed by Knowles LP Gas of Wind Gap. Baker and his wife Jennifer are the parents of a daughter, Isabel. Masonically, Baker has been a member of

Portland Lodge since 2008, serving as Junior and Senior Warden the past two years. In addition to his membership in Portland Lodge, he is the current president of the 50th Masonic District School of Instruction, held in Bartonsville, and has taken part in Pennsylvanias Academy of Masonic Knowledge. A 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, he is an active member of Lehigh Consistory, Valley of Allentown, where he participates in the ritual presentations given during the Valleys semi-annual reunions. Elected as Senior Warden was Stephen M. Ahner, of Bangor, with Gilbert F. Walter, of Stroudsburg, being elected as Junior

Warden. Walter C. Emery, of Portland, and Carl J. Palmeri, II, of Martins Creek, were reelected as Treasurer and Secretary respectfully. Re-elected as Trustees were John M. Bach of Mt. Bethel, Jody C. Pysher of North Bangor, and Douglas D. Walters of Bangor. In addition, Sean C. Dertinger, of Richmond, was elected as the lodges Substitute Representative to Pennsylvanias Masonic Grand Lodge. All officers began their terms of office on December 27th. Freemasonry is the worlds oldest and largest mens fraternity, a fraternity built on the cardinal virtues of brotherly love, charity and truth. Freemasonry has sometimes been called the worlds greatest

philanthropy for contributing over two million dollars a day to charitable causes. Portland Lodge, with approximately 260 members, is one of over 475 lodges in Pennsylvania, and the oldest of seven Lodges in the 50th Masonic District, comprising Monroe County and northern Northampton County. Following the meeting the members and guests attended a dinner at the Richmond Hotel. Portland Lodges first meeting of 2013 will be held on Thursday, January 10th, 7:30pm, when Baker will announce his appointed officers and monthly programs for the year. Following the lodge meeting, the annual meeting of the Masonic Hall Association will be held.

The Blue Mountain Community Library Board of Directors would like to express its sincere thanks to Jim Seitz and The Slate Pub in Pen Argyl for generously donating 20% of

all food sales on Tuesday, October 16th to the library. The library exists solely on donations, both from private individuals and businesses in the area,

and is a free resource to all residents in the Pen Argyl Area School District. Thanks also to everyone who came to the Slate Pub that day and participated in the Feed and Read Fundraiser. Attention book lovers. On Saturday, January 12th, from 10am to 2pm, the library will have a half-price sale on selected books from the Book Nook.

These books will be placed on the first floor of the library for your convenience. Stop in and take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. Book Nook gift certificates are also available. The library is located at 216 S. Robinson Ave. in Pen Argyl. Call Lisa at 610-8633029 for information. Visit their website at www.bmcl.org.

Compliments of Leck Veterinary, 610-863-3111. The piece comes from Emmy-winning soap opera writer, Donna Swajeski. TAKE JOY IN..OLD DOGS Their joys are simple. A soft bed. A scrap fallen from the table that the younger dogs missed. The memory of a treed squirrel. A stormless night. White whiskered faces and legs crooked as question marks. Old Dogstheir sweet Buddha bellies hang over crossed legs as they fall asleep in a coveted patch of sun. Dreaming of out-racing their shadows down long, shady lanes. Once they danced by your side. The very definition of joy unleashed. A perfect poem caught in shining eyes and

wagging tails. They have followed you faithfully for years. And would plunge into fires, untamed wildernesses, raging waters if you asked. Now, they struggle to catch up. Their pace slow but their hearts still valiant. Their cloudy eyes are starting to dim and go distant, tuning in to some invisible world. Just beyond your reach. Dont go you say, as you scratch the tender part between their ears. Stay longer. I cant imagine a world without your fur pressed close to my cheek. There are still so many roads we havent explored. And they look up at you with a wisdom that just slays you. Their backs are bent, not from the weight of years, but from the invisible wings they are growing That will soon take them to a place where once more they are warriors of speed Drunk with the sights and scents of a thousand meadows. Able to leap high enough to touch the wing of the tiniest butterfly. A place where they will now wait for you to catch up.

The Slate Belt Mens Quoit League has announced their scores and standings from December 13th. Bangor Elks 39, Bangor VFW 17 - Jerry Bubba 12-2, Benny Malone 11-3, Ryan Kreider 10-4. Bangor Jax 32, O'Neill's Place 24 - Jim Hughes 10-4, Wayne Hill 10-4; Derek Spence 8-6, Dan Cornish 8-6. Liberty Fire Co. 39, Roseto Legion 17 Hilton "Toot" Strunk 13-1, Phil Ascani 11-3. East Bangor Fire Co. 34, Second Ward Fire Co. 22 - Scott Allen 12-2, Bill Pascoe 10-4; Floyd Weidman 8-6, Mike Vedral 8-6. Pen Argyl Legion 42, Hillside Rod & Gun Club 14 - Chuck Klingle

13-1, Kraig Kuster 12-2, Todd Lakey 11-3. Oxford Fire Co. 42, Roseto Rod & Gun Club 14. Rescue Fire Co. 33, Columbia Fire Co. 31 Larry Lobb 13-3, Steve Policelli 11-5; Todd Albert 11-5, Bill Brugler 11-5. Current Second Half Standings: Division 1 Bangor Elks 1-0, Bangor Jax 1-0, Liberty Fire Co. 1-0, Oxford Fire Co. 1-0, Pen Argyl Legion 1-0, Bangor VFW 0-1, Columbia Fire Co. 0-1. Division 2 - East Bangor Fire Co. 1-0, Rescue Fire Co. 1-0, Hillside Rod & Gun Club 0-1, O'Neill's Place 0-1, Roseto Legion 0-1, Roseto Rod & Gun Club 0-1, Second Ward Fire Co. 0-1

songs, which is featured on her new album which is coming to iTunes soon. At 5:00 P.M., it was time for everyone to show off their new hair and dance moves to their families and friends at home. At the end of the day, Multisport Fitness

raised over $600 which was donated towards The Leader in Me raffle held at the end of the year in DeFranco. One special student will go home with a new bike because of this special fundraiser for one great school! If you want to come and dance or bike at Multisport Fitness, check out their website: MSFgym.com for more details!

National Honor Society Hosts Dinner for Inductees Faith Christian School: President Daniel Trout (Senior), looks on as Faith Christian School National Honor Society Sponsor, Don Stine, congratulates each of the eight inductees. From left to right (Daniel Trout), Bonnie Jackson, (Grade 10), Jeanne Keegan (Grade 10), Samuel Jensen (Grade 10), , Daniel Scales (Grade 10), Oksana Seiple (Grade 10), Karis Szmaciasz (Grade 10), Katelynn Houseal (Grade 12), and Erika Johnson (Grade 12). One by one, the eight inductees came up and spoke about themselves and their plans for the future. After a final word of prayer, the inductees recited the National Honor Society Pledge together, which stated, I pledge to maintain high scholastic standing, to hold as fundamental and worthy an untarnished character, to endeavor intelligently and courageously to be a leader, to give of myself freely in service to my Lord and others, and to be loyal to my school and to uphold its ideals.

(NAPSI)Every now and then, we all could use a helping hand. The simplest gesture from a friend or even a stranger can help boost morale and add a silver lining to an ordinary day. Applying that same principle and finding simple ways to support your community through a good deed can make a lasting difference. Here are some ways you can celebrate the spirit of helping others and get involved in your community. For example: Grow some good: Put gardening skills to good use by getting involved with a local treeplanting initiative or an urban garden. Trees, plants and gardens not only beautify the areas where theyre planted, they provide oxygen, homes for animals and even fresh herbs or vegetables. Pay your fashion forward: Transform clutter into charity by donating lightly used clothing or shoes from your closet. A number of programs provide business attire to people interviewing for jobs as a way to help workers get back on their feet. Additionally, thrift stores often sell secondhand clothing as a way to raise funds for other programs and nonprofits. Share your knowledge: Use your aptitude for reading, writing,

math or science to support the next generation of students in their education. Volunteer at a local tutoring center to help children struggling in school. Do a good deed each day: Keep your eyes open for the opportunity to open a door for a stranger, mow the lawn for a neighbor or bring a meal to a family with a new baby. Finally, dont forget to take a moment and celebrate the good deeds done by your friends. One way to recognize the efforts of others is to become a member of the Sweet Deed Society on the Santa Cruz Organic Facebook page and nominate a friend who has done a good deed. Participants will also be entered into a grand-prize drawing for a chance to win weekly and grand prizes, including one of two home computer upgrades, awarded as a $2,000 check. To help acknowledge their good deed, nominees can also accept their nomination, join the Sweet Deed Society and be entered for their own chance to win. Visit www.facebook.com/san tacruzorganic to join. No purchase necessary. Promotion open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 years and older. Promotion subject to complete Official Rules available at www.facebook.com/san tacruzorganic. Void where prohibited.

Hello fellow readers, After we shake off the aftermath of holiday merriment lets hunker down to plan for a Happy New Year of Gardening. Our winter landscape is just as important as the green point of view and now is time to weigh in on yours. Tom from Nazareth, Pennsylvania loves Birch trees, especially in the winter, but wonders if they are right for our climate. Betula have a bad reputation, which to me is unfair. In fact, their glorious bark and see-through leaves have earned them status as one of my favorite trees. It is true Betula have shallow root systems and therefore do not handle even short periods of drought or heated soil well, but they thrive in cool, moist soils. So the challenge is to select a

growing site where the soil will remain shaded by other plants, but where the leaves will receive full sun for much of the day. Betula nigra 'Heritage' or Dura Heat River Birch are my favored as they are more tolerant of heat and dryness than others and are extremely resistant to bronze birch borer and leaf spot diseasestwo issues that give Birches a bad rap. With layers of salmon colored bark peeling back to reveal creamy white inner bark it is stunning in our winter landscape and can be grown as either a single trunk or multi-stemmed tree. Birches are considered soft wooded which some say make them susceptible to winter damage - the third concern which keeps folks away. If the beloved birch is in the right environment and with the proper cultural practices (translated, enough water) it will thrive for 40-50 years. In fact its pliable wood is an advantage in enduring winds, ice and snow as its truly designed to go with the flow. As written in the Tao Te Ching: Chapter 76 The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail. Garden dilemmas? Ask Mary at askmary stone@gmail.com

( N A P S I ) We v e already seen some of the effects of severe winter weather this year and with more expected to come, taking action now may minimize the harsh effects on your family, possessions and property. Recent studies indicate total losses during the last 50 years have totaled over $35.2 billion due to winter storms, says Karen McCague, claims operations manager, Liberty Mutual Insurance. Ensuring adequate preparation for blizzards, high winds, ice, hail, sleet and heavy snow conditions will minimize your chances of experiencing significant losses due to inclement winter weather this year. McCague recommends following what she calls The Three Ps of Preparation to ensure safety of people, property and possessions. People When a storm strikes, you and your family may need to remain indoors for several days. Prepare a safety kit and educate your family to ensure everyone understands what steps to follow during severe weather.

Also, ensure driveways and walkways are clear of ice to prevent slippery conditions, which could result in injury. Property There are several steps you can take to prepare your property as well. Insulating pipes prevents freezing and bursting. Cleaning gutters regularly prevents formation of ice dams, which can result in water damage. It is also important to check the structural integrity of your homes roof and ensure that carbon monoxide and smoke detectors function properly. Possessions Finally, remember to prepare your vehicle by keeping your gas tank and antifreeze reservoir full. It is also important to ensure there are plenty of blankets, extra clothes, and fuel to operate a generator or portable heating device.

(NAPSI)A clever way to save energy can help you keep your home heating money from going out the window. Thats because windows provide the biggest openings between indoor air and the elements outside and the biggest opportunity for valuable energy to escape, accounting for approximately 25 to 50 percent of energy loss in a home. Inefficient, single-pane windows are the biggest culprit for energy loss. Replacing old windows with double- or triplepane insulating glass is the one way to reduce energy costs-but no longer the only choice. Storm windows have been around for generations, offering extra protection against wind, rain, snow and ice. Until now, however, they did little to protect against energy loss and were often difficult to install, with metal pins holding them in place. Todays storm windows are designed to dramatically reduce drafts, and energy-saving storm

panels are typically installed in place of window screens as an added layer of insulation for existing windows. These days, they can also be installed in seconds from inside the house with a unique press-in-place style thats quick, easy and safe, even on upperlevel windows. Theyre handy for renters, too. The panels from ScreenIt Again.com are built to order and available in a variety of colors and sizes, so they fit the opening and the style of the house. They also come with a heavy-duty cardboard sleeve for simple season storage year after year. Learn More For further facts and to calculate your savings, go to www.screenit again.com/winter.

(NAPSI)Feeling happier at home may hinge on something as simple as repainting the walls. Different colors affect your mood, your energy and your efficiency in different ways. Changing the shade of paint in your bedroom, kitchen or home office can be a big improvement. Here are some ideas from color expert Erika Woelfel, director of color marketing for Behr Paints. Select a few of your favorite things, such as artwork or fabric in furniture upholstery, and use their colors throughout your home. This will place the focus on things you enjoy. If you tend to be easily distracted, you may need home office colors to surround you in soft, muted tones that relax, calm and help you get down to work. But if you find motivation difficult, you may want to go with warm, bright colors like yellow or red to stimulate focus and energy. Cool colors such as

blues, greens and purples are passive in nature, receding into the background. They dont distract or disturb and can help to quiet the nerves, lift the spirits and soothe the soul. Natural, restful, yet rejuvenating, green is perhaps one of the best colors to use in spaces where the main goals are thinking and creativity, such as a study area. Ranging from soft, subtle sages, to soothing sea greens, to the deep, dignified forest and hunter shades, greens ease stress, stimulate the thought process, and promote feelings of balance and harmony. Most people find green a very pleasant, relaxing color, so it can be a good choice for the bedroom. Large spaces feel more intimate and inviting when painted a warm golden tone. Warm colors such as reds, yellows and oranges are active and

actually visually advance toward you, making rooms painted in these hues seem more intimate and cozy. Warm hues are also cheerful and invigorating, great for a childs playroom, man cave or family room. A warm color on the ceiling has the effect of bringing tall or high ceilings down to a more intimate, human scale. Representing peacefulness, white can give an open, spacious feeling. Soft, muted or tinted whites are good choices for main wall colors. Use bright whites for trim and moldings to create a crisp, clean look. A dark color painted at the end of a hallway can have the effect of stretching the space, making the wall seem farther away. Soothing and comforting, neutrals make a great background. Neutral colors can be

unifying when there is an eclectic mix of colors and dcor styles in one room. Grays are subtle and sophisticated, while taupe and beige are versatile and work well with many other colors. Neutral red and brown warm up an overall space or can be used on their own for a feature wall to create an area of interest. Whatever color you choose, consider low or zero VOC: volatile organic compounds. The paint smell dissipates faster, making it a good choice for family spaces. Woelfel points out that Behrs recently introduced next generation Premium Plus Interior Paint provides an innovative solution for homeowners who want high quality paint with priming properties at a great value. The zero VOC interior paint delivers exceptional durability, hides whats under it well and seals previously painted and uncoated surfaces such as drywall, wallboard and wood without the use of a separate primer. In addition, it has a low odor formula. An aid to choosing color is an online color tool called ColorSmart by BEHR, which lets you browse a collection of inspirational color palettes, find your favorite color and coordinating color palettes, and preview in a simulated environment.

The SBAs Philadelphia District Office is seeking nominations for its annual Small Business Awards, honoring Eastern Pennsylvania small business, as well as business owners and assistance organizations. At this years Eastern Pennsylvania Small Business Awards Ceremony in Spring 2013, the District Office will present several awards: National Awards -Small Business Person of the Year -8(a) Graduate of the Year -Small Business Development Center -Excellence and Innovation Award -Womens Business Center of Excellence Award Eastern Pennsylvania Awards -Small Business Exporter of the Year -Family-Owned Business of the Year -Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year -Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year -Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year -Young Entrepreneur of the Year Nominations for the four national awards must be submitted to the

SBA Philadelphia District Office no later than January 3rd. Award Nominations may be submitted to SBAs Philadelphia District Office or via SBAs web portal on www.sba.gov. Nominations for the eastern Pennsylvania awards must be submitted to the SBA Philadelphia District Office no later than February 15th. Award Nominations may be submitted directly to SBAs Philadelphia District Office. This is a national awards program, and

many of the award winners from local and state small business award events are invited to the national celebration of National Small Business Week in Washington, D.C., said Dave Dickson, SBA Philadelphia District Director. Locally, award winners from eastern Pennsylvania and their nominators, in both national and local categories, are recognized at a highprofile awards ceremony and networking event, drawing some of the areas top lenders,

economic development organizations and small business people, as well as elected officials and members of the press. Winners in the nationally-recognized categories are recognized in a national award ceremony held in Washington, D.C. Eastern Pennsylvanias Small Business Awards is a local observance of the Presidentiallydesignated National Small Business Week. For more information, email jennifer.pilcher @sba.gov.

Pocono Arts Council Offering Ongoing Adult Workshops Classes are held through the month of January
The Pocono Arts Council will offer the following classes during the month of January. Classes, unless otherwise noted, are held at the Pocono Arts Cultural Center, 18 N. Seventh St., Stroudsburg. To register call PoconoArts at 570-476-4460 or register on line at www.poconoarts.org. Ongoing Adult Classes: Oil Painting, Instructor John McAllister - Weekly Sessions: 4 Sessions per month, Thursdays 6:30-8:30pm; January classes: January 10, This ongoing workshop focuses on the individual, helping them to develop their own personal style and technique working with the oil medium. Learn how to develop your painting by understanding drawing and composition, light and shadow, color, preparation of materials and the application of paint. Working at your own pace, you pick the subject while the instructor guides you through the painting process. Acrylic Painting, Instructor William Daskal; Weekly Sessions: 4 Sessions per month, Mondays 9:3012:30pm; January classes: January 7, 14, 21 and 28. This class will focus on increasing fundamental painting skills, including composition, use of color and value, a basic understanding of the color wheel and how to achieve desired effects using acrylic paints. Students may utilize photographs, reproductions of other paintings or set up their own still life. Drawing, Instructor John McAllister; 4 weeks, January 9, 16, 23 and 30, Wednesdays 6-8pm Develop your own basic drawing skills while learning about light, form and composition. Starting with three dimensional objects and pencil on paper, students will gain a greater understanding of form while developing hand/eye coordination through practice and observation. Watercolor Painting, Instructor Will Daskal; 4 weeks, January 7, 14, 21 and 28, Mondays 6-8pm. This is a hands-on, creative workshop for beginners who want to learn how to produce impressive watercolor paintings. NO PREVIOUS DRAWING ABILITY IS REQUIRED! You will learn to use your innate, fundamental drawing skills to sketch out a pleasing composition, which will be the basis for your painting. Learn to develop simple techniques that will result in exciting ways to express your artistic ideas. Intermediate Watercolor, Instructor Joan Raushi; 3 weeks, January 13, 20 and 27, Sundays 1-4pm. This class will cover composition, how to avoid making mud, rules of portraiture, using a photograph and various textures, along with other varies techniques. PoconoArts classes fill on a first come, first serve basis. Placement in a course is secured when payment in full is received. If PoconoArts must cancel a class due to low enrollment, students will be notified prior to the scheduled start date of the class and full refunds will be issued. Tuition refunds will be honored if received ten days prior to the beginning of a class/workshop. PoconoArts will not refund or reduce any class fees for missed classes or late enrollment. Families who register more than one member of a single residence in the same course or session receive a 15% discount on the less expensive course. The PoconoArts Council is a local arts service organization serving Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties. The mission of the council is to build the community artistically and culturally by providing leadership, service and education Culture Builds Community.

The Pocono YMCA has announced upcoming indoor soccer programs for the community. This program is designed to teach the game of soccer though practice and game play. Boys and girls ages 4-12 will learn soccer skills, good sportsmanship, and team play, in a lowcompetition, fun environment. All practices and games will be held on Saturdays at Stroudsburg Intermediate Elementary on Chipperfield Drive. This league will begin on January 12th and last for 7 weeks. Shin guards are mandatory. Registrations will be accepted until December 23th for indoor soccer. Registrations will be accepted on a first come first serve basis until the program is full. To register, visit the YMCA at 809 Main Street, Stroudsburg PA or register online at poconoymcaindoorsocc er.playerspace.com. Volunteers are needed to be coaches and assistant coaches. For more information please contact Nicole Hill at 570-421-2525 ext. 124 or nhill@pocono ymca.org.

(NAPSI)According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), children typically catch six to eight colds each year. While there is no cure for this seasonal illness, there are several things parents can do to boost their childs immunity. First, its important to encourage children to get plenty of sleep, stay well hydrated and eat a diet rich in nutritious foods. Good hygiene can reduce the spread of germs, particularly in a school setting where children share many common items. Its important to teach kids to wash their hands the right way, scrubbing them all over with soap for at least 20 seconds and drying them with a clean paper towel. Children should also be encouraged not to share eating or drinking utensils or to put objects in their mouths. To help reduce the spread of cold and flu viruses, children should learn to sneeze and cough into the back of their hand or their elbow crease. To keep nasal passages clear, have children blow their noses gently but often and use a humidifier at

home to keep the air moist. Sore throats can be soothed with warm drinks, while older children can gargle with a mild saline solution. Always check with a doctor if a childs sore throat is severe or if symptoms indicate a serious illness. Following a statement by the FDA discourag-

ing the use of cough and cold medicine in children under 2 years of age, many parents prefer to use safe and effective homeopathic medicines. Visit www.hylands.com and www.hylandsbaby.com for more information about natural medicine. Hylands products are available nationally.

(NAPSI)A great way to warm heartsand stomachsduring winter weather is with delicious comfort foods. What many find even more comforting is that you can make them heart-healthy with simple ingredient swaps and healthier cooking techniques. To help, theres the Comfort Your Heart Recipe Collection from CanolaInfo. I love these recipes because they are both hearty and hearthealthy, says Dawn Jackson Blatner, R.D., C.S.S.D., L.D.N., author of The Flexitarian Diet and developer of the recipe collection.

To make comfort foods heart-healthy, Blatner uses a blender to thicken soup instead of heavy cream and bakefrying to make food crispy without deepfrying. She upgrades grains, using whole grain versions of breads and gnocchi. She also pumps up produce, making fries out of carrots and parsnips, chips from zucchini and pasta from spaghetti squash to keep calories and saturated fat in check while optimizing nutritional value. The emphasis lately has been more on what to add to your diet as opposed to what to subtract, says Blatner.

Its about eating whole grains, plant proteins, produce and heart-smart fats like canola oil. Each heart-warming entre contains less than 500 calories per serving and is low in saturated fat. All recipes are made with canola oil, which has the least saturated fat and most omega-3 fat of all common culinary oils and is free of trans fat. In the Skillet Gnocchi with Butternut Squash and Kale Pesto nutrient-rich dish, whole grain gnocchi and the superfood kale lay the foundation. Healthful convenience foods such as prepackaged, whole grain gnocchi and frozen, cubed butternut squash save time in preparing the dish. When putting together these recipes, I thought about foods I would like to eat on a winter night, says Blatner. Skillet Gnocchi with Butternut Squash and Kale Pesto 2 cups chopped kale leaves 2 Tbsp fresh lemon

juice 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese 1 Tbsp chopped walnuts 1 clove garlic, minced 2 Tbsp canola oil 1 cups frozen pre-cut (1-inch cubes) butternut squash, thawed 1 small red onion, finely chopped 1 package (16 oz) prepared whole grain gnocchi 1 cup kale leaves, cut into fine strips To prepare pesto: In food processor, pure kale, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, walnuts and garlic for 2 minutes until paste forms. While processing on low, drizzle in canola oil. Warm large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add pesto, butternut squash, red onion (reserve 2 Tbsp for garnish) and saut for 5 minutes. Add gnocchi and saut another 5 minutes until thoroughly heated. Top with kale strips and chopped red onion. For more recipes and information, visit www.canolainfo.org.

(NAPSI)If youre like most Americans, your favorite part of a meal is dessert. According to a recent survey, 97 percent of Americans eat dessert more than three times a week. Desserts have long been associated with celebrations, parties, happiness and pleasant feelings. Sweets make you feel good, said American Blue Ribbon Pie Lady Mary Pint. Even though carrot cake and galettes are favorite sweets, pies are the most popular dessert. Americans order about 720 million servings of pie at restaurants a year, according to market research experts NPD Group. One of this years must-have pies is French Silk Pie. Convenient to grab and go on the way to a party or family gathering, French Silk Pie is velvety-smooth chocolate cream topped with

fluffy whip and milk chocolate shavingsserved as a beautiful and tasty ending to a meal. No-sugar added Cherry Pie, along with Blueberry and French Apple Cream Cheese, were all Blue Ribbon winners at the National Pie Council 2012 Pie Championships. Southern Pecan, Country Apple, Celebration, Pumpkin, Lemon Supreme, Fresh Strawberry and Caramel Pecan Silk Supreme are also popular. Once your pie has arrived at your table at home or in a restaurant (many people nowadays celebrate special occasions by getting pies served whole), you want to be sure to cut it correctly. Heres how: Start with a sharp chefs knife and a pie server. Dip them both in boiling water and then dry them completely. The heated metal slightly dissolves the sugar in the pie to make slicing cleaner. Cut at least two consecutive pieces of pie before removing one with the server. If youre serving the whole pie, precut it all before serving any. Presentation is also important when serving pie at home. Use your ingenuity and decorate the plate with chocolate curls or chocolate, butterscotch or caramel drizzle on the plate or on the pie, or flavored or plain whipped cream; a strawberry sliced nearly through and fanned out; a cherry cut crosswise to form petals; or lemon rings for fruit pies.

Make a New Years Resolution to Know Your Medicare Rights

Medicare consumers have the right to good, quality health care. Make one of your new years resolutions to get to know your Medicare rights and what to do if you think theyre being violated. Medicare consumers have four basic rights: You have the right to be admitted to the hospital when it is medically necessary. If you are a Medicare Advantage plan member, the plan guides your admission. You have the right to stay in the hospital until it is medically safe to leave. This right protects you from being discharged from the hospital too soon. You have the right to receive quality health care that meets established standards and guidelines. If you feel your care has not met those standards, you have a right to file a complaint. For more information on how to file a quality of care complaint, please visit the Consumer Medical Rights page on Quality Insights of Pennsylvanias Web site. You have the right to appeal any time a provider plans to stop your care due to a lack of medical necessity. You have this right when you are receiving care from any of the following: a hospital; a home health agency; a skilled nursing facility, also known as a nursing home; a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility, also known as a rehabilitation center; and hospice. Please visit the Consumer Medical Rights page on Quality Insights Web site to learn more about filing an appeal. Medicare consumers should also take full advantage of the benefits that are available to them. Medicare will subsidize most, if not all, the cost of many preventive services including mammograms, flu and pneumonia shots, and diabetes screenings. Making full use of these benefits will help to keep Medicare consumers healthy and out of the hospital. Quality Insights of Pennsylvanias Web site, www.qipa.org, includes more information on the four basic rights, as well as Medicares available preventive services. The Consumer Resource Center includes various flyers, brochures and booklets that offer a detailed look at all of these benefits. Medicare consumers and/or their caregivers can also contact Medicare at 1.800.MEDICARE (1.800.633.4227).

Understanding High Pressure In The Eye And Open-Angle Glaucoma

(NAPSI)High pressure in the eye is an important risk factor for developing open-angle glaucoma. Pressure in the eye can go up when fluid does not drain out of the eye properly. This can happen if the drains in the eye are not working correctly. Too much fluid stays in the eye, which causes pressure in the eye to rise. This high pressure in the eye is also known as ocular hypertension. Some people with high pressure in the eye may develop open-angle glaucoma, which is the most common type of glaucoma and can damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve is the link between your eye and your brain. When pressure rises in the eye over time, the optic nerve may be damaged. Its important to know that open-angle glaucoma can develop in one or both eyes. If you are diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma, your eye doctor may recommend a treatment option to lower pressure in the eye. There are a number of options available to lower pressure in the eye to help manage your condition. The most common treatments are prescription eye drops or surgery. Sometimes, both are needed. Today, most prescription eye drops to lower high pressure in the eye contain preservatives and they come in multiuse bottles. Preservative-free options to lower high pressure in the eye are also available and come in single-use containers. It is important for you to talk to your doctor about your treatment options. Together, you can decide which one is right for you. Once-daily ZIOPTAN (tafluprost ophthalmic solution) 0.0015% was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in February 2012. ZIOPTAN is a prescription, sterile, eye drop solution. ZIOPTAN is used to lower the pressure in the eye (or intraocular pressure) in people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when their eye pressure is too high. ZIOPTAN belongs to a group of medicines called prostaglandin analogs (PGAs). ZIOPTAN is not for use in children. It is important that patients diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma work with their eye doctors to find a treatment option that will help lower their eye pressure, said George Spaeth, M.D., Wills Eye Institute, Philadelphia. I am happy to have another option for patients in my practice. ZIOPTAN (tafluprost ophthalmic solution) helps lower the pressure in the eye and control it throughout the day. In clinical studies of up to two years, ZIOPTAN was shown to be effective in lowering high pressure in the eye. ZIOPTAN, used once daily in the evening, lowered high eye pressure by 68 mmHg (mmHg = millimeters of mercury, a measurement of fluid pressure in the eye) after being used for three months. It lowered high eye pressure by 58 mmHg after being used for six months. For more information on ZIOPTAN, talk to your eye doctor and visit www.ZIOPTAN.com.

Families First Presents 4th Annual Snow-Ball

Families First presents their 4th Annual Winter Snow-Ball Fundraising Dinner Dance on Saturday, January 26, 2013 from 6pm to 12am at the Blue Valley Farm Show building in Bangor. Funds raised will help support the programs that serve children and families in the Pen Argyl School District and enable Families First to continue to offer free programs for children and youth, including mentoring programs at Wind Gap Middle School and Pen Argyl High School and the After-School Tutoring and Homework Assistance program at Wind Gap Middle School. Proceeds will also support the programs assisting senior citizens and families in need in the school district. Come out and enjoy music by Misbehaving, a popular local Slate Belt band, and a buffet dinner by Imperial Catering. There will be door prizes, a basket raffle and tricky tray. This is a BYOB event and dress is casual! For tickets and more information, contact Frank Jones at 610863-3688.

Safe Haven Pet Rescue Plans January Meeting

Safe Haven Pet Rescue will hold a Volunteer Meeting on Tuesday, January 15, at 6:30 PM at Cherry's Family Restaurant, Route 209 near Route 534, Kresgeville. If you are an animal lover, please come and meet the volunteers and have a bite to eat. Safe Haven is a small group of dedicated animal advocates who rescue dogs from high kill and overcrowded shelters and find them loving homes. All dogs are in foster care until their permanent homes are found. Safe Haven has rescued more than 700 lives so far. Safe Haven always welcomes volunteers and foster families. Volunteers are needed for adoption days, dog transport to veterinary and grooming appointments, fundraising, clerical help, home visits and more. Foster homes are needed in order to save more dogs. If you are interested in volunteering or fostering, come to the meeting or visit www.SafeHavenPA.org for volunteer and foster applications and to see the available dogs. For more information, email SafeHaven @epix.net. Join Safe Haven PA on Facebook.

(NAPSI)Conditions such as snow-covered roads and black ice can make winter driving unpredictable. The good news is that preparing early for winter weather and anticipating and avoiding dangerous circumstances can help drivers maintain control and stay safe on the road. To help, here are some tips from the experts at Cooper Tire & Rubber Company. Drive cautiously: For starters, double the anticipated stopping distance when braking anytime conditions are not dry. It will take longer to come to a stop in snowy or icy conditions. Do not assume a four-wheel-drive vehicle will stop faster than a two-wheel-drive vehicle-four-wheel drive offers no braking advantage. Always reduce speed during winter conditions. When purchasing winter tires, replace all four tires. Due to the

different grip capabilities of summer, allseason and winter tires, the driver will not get all the handling and traction benefits if all tires are not replaced. Examine tread: The only part of a vehicle to touch the road is the tires, and tire tread is a vital part of handling, cornering, accelerating and braking. For winter weather driving, a general rule is the more tread depth, the better. A tires minimum tread depth should be more than 2/32 of an inch deep all around the tire. Drivers can check tread depth by using a U.S. penny. Insert the edge of the coin into the tread with Lincoln going in headfirst. If the top of his head is visible at any location on the tire, the tire is worn out and its time to replace it. While examining the tread, also look for signs of uneven wear or damage such as cuts, cracks, splits, punctures and bulges. These conditions shorten the

life of tires and, if not corrected, further tire damage, tire failure or air loss may occur. Find tires made for the season. For example, Cooper Tire has been a proven winter tire brand for decades, providing high-performing and extensive product lines that cover more than 90 percent of vehicles, such as the Weather-Master S/T2, the WeatherMaster WSC and the Discoverer M+S. All Cooper winter tires include a patented snow groove technology that retains snow in the tread grooves, capitalizing on the higher traction of snow on snow versus snow on rubber. Test air pressure: Tire pressure plays a critical role in the overall performance of tires. Tire pressure decreases by about one pound per square inch for every 10-degree drop in outside air temperature, so it is vital that drivers check the air pressure regularly as winter weather approaches.

(NewsUSA) - When the weather outside is frightful, the road is the last place you want to be, especially if your car hasn't been prepared to deal with snowy conditions. Snow and ice covering the roadways can pose a serious threat to you and your vehicle. There is no time like the present to get yourself and your car ready for winter driving. Firestone Complete Auto Care offers the following tips to get you on your way: Slow down * Reduce your speed during adverse driving conditions, and be prepared for longer stopping distances on snowy or icy pavement.

Try to avoid abrupt movements when braking, accelerating or turning. Tires are the key * A tire's PSI (pounds per square inch) can drop one pound for every 10-degree drop in temperature. Both underand overinflation lessens a tire's gripping action. Once it gets cold, tire pressure should be checked weekly. Don't forget to check your spare tire, too. * If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider installing winter tires, which are specially designed to grip slick roads. Snow tires should be installed on all four wheels; using two different types of

tires on the same vehicle can cause handling problems. Be seen * Always use headlights at dawn and dusk, or while driving in fog, rain and snow, to warn other drivers you are there. If you can't see them, they can't see you! Don't forget to activate your flashers when appropriate. * Take a few moments to check your wipers -they don't last forever. If the rubber feels rough or seems cracked, replace the wiper blades. Older wiper blades can cause windows to become dangerously dirty, especially at night or in snowy conditions when there is likely to be salt on the road. Good visibility is a necessity. No matter the time of year, it is important to take the appropriate measures to ensure that your vehicle is well maintained. However, during winter, when the roads and conditions are particularly unpredictable, proper maintenance is essential for keeping your car prepared for anything the season delivers.

(NAPSI)Safety on the road is no accident. For example, when a warning light illuminates on a cars dashboard, it is alerting you to a situation that requires your attention. While not all warning lights are a sign that disaster is imminent, no warning indicator should ever be ignored. Thats the word from the experts at AAA, who encourage motorists to read their owners manual and know what

each of the warning lights in their vehicle means. To help, they offer the following tips: Oil Pressure Light The oil pressure light is usually an oilcan symbol or the word OIL. It comes on when there is a drop in engine oil pressure. Of all the warning lights, the oil pressure light indicates the greatest potential for serious mechanical damage.

If the oil pressure warning light comes on and stays on, pull off the road at the earliest safe opportunity, shut off the engine and call for assistance. Engine Temperature Light The engine temperature light is usually a thermometer symbol or the word TEMP. It comes on when the engine temperature is unsafe for your vehicle. Unless the engine temperature is quickly

brought under control, major damage may occur. If there are any signs of a cooling system leak, pull off the road at the earliest safe opportunity, shut off the engine and call for assistance. Be careful when opening the hood in the presence of steam, and never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot. Charging System Light The charging system

light is usually a battery symbol or the word ALT or GEN. It comes on when the vehicle electrical system is no longer being supplied power by the alternator. If this light comes on, shut down all unnecessary electrical loads such as the radio, heater or air-conditioning, then drive the vehicle to a repair facility immediately for further inspection. Check Engine Light The check engine light comes on when there is

a problem affecting the vehicles exhaust emissions. If the light comes on and stays on, make an appointment with an auto repair shop to have the problem checked in the near future. Disregarding a flashing check engine light could start a fire, destroy the catalytic converter and result in necessary repairs that could easily exceed $1,000. To learn more, visit www.AAA.com or call (800) AAA-HELP.