MontNews.com

The flailing economy is hurting the refinery business along the Delaware River within a 50 mile radius of Philadelphia, PA. For instance, the Eagle Point Refinery has been owned by Texaco, Coastal Oil, and El Paso Corp. and now Sunoco.

In the fall, Sunoco announced it will stop refining operations and lay-off about 400 employees. Instead, Sunoco will used refined oil shipped in from overseas.

“They pay $7 million a year in taxes,” said Steve Sweeney, Democrat state senator. Sunoco is expected to be granted a relief on its property tax bill. “The local taxpayers are going to have to pick up that $7 million. It’s going to be a blow to this area, boy.”

“Meeting Notice”

Library Board of Trustees meetings 2010
2nd Wednesday of each month except July and August
Upper Moreland Free Public Library Community Room 7:30pm
January 13
February 10
March 10
April 14
May 12
June 9
September 8
October 13
November 10
December 8

The meetings are open to the public.

Margie Peters, Director
Upper Moreland Free Public Library

NORRISTOWN – County employees looking to recycle the soda can they just emptied or the cardboard box that a delivery just came in will no longer have to go looking for a way to do it starting next week.

Employees who work in the Court House, One Montgomery Plaza and the Human Services center will begin using a single desk-side container for all recycling beginning December 1, 2009.

Through a contract with Waste Management, Montgomery County buildings will now be offered a ‘Single Stream’ recycling collection method.

This method will allow the employee to throw aluminum and tin cans, plastic narrow necked bottles #1-7, glass food and beverage containers, newsprint, paperboard, office paper, junk mail and cardboard all in the same bin.

Single Stream recycling will help the County workforce recycle more which in turn will have a positive effect on the environment and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

“We want to have 100 percent participation,” Montgomery County Commissioners Chairman Jim Matthews said.

“In these economic times, we’re struggling to keep our costs flat and recycling is one of the easiest things employees can do,” Matthews said. “Recycling means less waste, lower tipping fees and, hopefully, a small return on the materials.”

Society as a whole benefits as well, said Chris Kaasmann, Montgomery County’s Recycling Coordinator.

“The energy it takes for 1 aluminum soda can to be recycled is approximately 95% less than what it would take to make a can from virgin materials,” Kaasmann said.

Employees are being asked to sign a pledge to reuse and recycle as much as they can at all times in the work place.

“By signing the pledge each employee becomes accountable for the waste they produce. Hopefully, this will make them think twice about where that water bottle or piece of paper goes after it leaves their hand,” Kaasmann said.

A new educational recycling campaign is underway. It includes new stickers on all bins, educational posters and a team of County employees dubbed ‘Recycling Liaisons.’

These liaisons will work with all County employees and encourage them to do the right thing by recycling correctly.

Those visiting County buildings such as the Courthouse will also be able to take advantage of the ‘Single Stream’ recycling method. Bins located in break rooms, common areas and kitchens will contain recycling bins for the public. Bins in these areas were provided by a grant through the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania (PROP) and ALCOA Aluminum. For more information on this program and other recycling inquiries, please contact the Montgomery County Recycling Hotline at (610) 278-3618.

A huge iceberg, that is about 54 square miles in size, is a “once-in-a-lifetime rarity for both its size and the length of its journey.” It is one of the biggest icebergs ever seen in this part of the world. Usually, icebergs break-up into small pieces.

“It’s very rare, uncommon, but not unusual,” Australian Antarctic Division glaciologist Dr Neal Young.

“Icebergs do come from time to time and they can be very big, but it can be a long time before we spot one – so it’s really a once-in-a-lifetime sighting.”

When the iceberg broke off Antarctica’s Ross Ice Shelf in 2000, it was 3 times as large. Since then, it has been drifting north.

PART-TIME CLERICAL POSITION

A Blue Bell law firm is searching for a clerical assistant with knowledge of computers for help with filing, copying, faxing and phones. 20-25 hours per week.

For more information on job application, please click here.

Philadelphia, PA — At barely 2 years of age, the Catholic Parish of Saint Miriam, in the Roxborough neighborhood of Philadelphia, is growing strong and will be moving to its own church facility in Blue Bell, PA effective December 23rd 2009.

The panorama of stories from their existing members is deeply inspiring and their personal stories would be impressive by any measure. Now, with their own modern church, they hope to continue their growth by attracting others who are seeking and inclusive Catholic community.

The Parish Board of Saint Miriam, along with the Pastor of Saint Miriam, (The Reverend) Father James St. George, in union with the Ordinary of the Diocese and with the blessing of their Presiding Bishop, are pleased to announce that Saint Miriams new home will be at 475 Norristown Road in the Blue Bell suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in Whitpain Township.

The Site Committee, working closely with our pastor and board, surveyed more than 100 properties and narrowed its selections to two locations. After much prayer and deliberation, with many hours of negotiations with the building owners, they reached an agreement during the last week of September 2009. The build out is underway and their new service schedule is announced.

Saint Miriam will feature a new, state-of-the-art facility with a 2,000+ square foot sanctuary, full audio/visual capability, additional space for CCD/Children’s education, administrative and library space, a full sacristy, a fellowship hall with indoor and outdoor seating areas, a kitchen, and fully accessible ADA-compliant restrooms. The property also enjoys parking for 200+ cars, an acre of green frontage and a modern aesthetic that fits well with the Saint Miriam ethos.

Formed in 1957, the Catholic Church of Antioch traces its line of bishops back to the first apostles and says its priests and bishops – male and female – are “valid” Catholic clergy. The Roman Catholic Church does not view such offshoots as being “in union” with it, however they are considered valid and sufficient. In other words, this is a Catholic Church, just not a Roman Catholic Church. This allows this vibrant and unique community to open its hearts and all sacraments, including Holy Communion, to everyone.

In such a short amount of time, they have healed many souls already. They boast families with children along with many gay, lesbian, and straight singles and couples. Even a few former Roman Catholic nuns and a priest make up their diverse population. They also have already achieved several new seminarians in formation to serve Gods church. All of this as they grow to include everyone without reservation.

Saint Miriam has two main services each week, Thursday at 6:30PM and Sundays at 10:30 AM. They also will add a Rosary on Wednesdays at 6:30PM and a monthly Charismatic Mass. The services are Catholic, but inclusive and inspiring with a mix of music from old and new, modern touches and incense smoke that finally warms the heart, as well as the senses!

Saint Miriam will launch its new church with its beautiful Christmas Eve service dubbed Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at Ten. It begins with food and fellowship at 8PM, followed by Carols singing at 9PM and then the Mass at 10 PM. Christmas Day Mass will take place at 11AM.

Please contact Father Jim St. George for more information or visit www.mySaintMiriam.org. For a complete list of service times, please see Services from the homepage.

On December 4, 2009 the President visits Allentown, Pennsylvania, as part of a commitment to visit communities across the country over the next several months, where he speaks with workers and shares ideas for continued economic recovery.

If the USA will not invest, the Greeks will. Good news for Philly.

The sun shines on Philly

First Thursdays — The first Thursday of every month, come enjoy a taste of the town at participating restaurants and catch a film at the Ambler Theater. Buy your tickets at ConeHeads or Ambler Flower Shop or call 215-646-6500.

First Fridays — Come out and shop in Ambler while merchants offer Friday only special deals! Bring the kids along on First Friday and drop them at the Mermaid Art Studio to make an art project or the Ambler Flower Shop to make a flower arrangement & craft project.

Saturday December 5th
Ambler Holiday Parade starts at 1pm on Butler Avenue.

Act2 Playhouse – On Golden Pond through 12/13

Ambler Theater – Fantastic Mr Fox, An Education, A Serious Man, Coco Before Chanel
Sunday 12/6 – Holiday Storefront Contest Judgment Day!

Sunday 12/6 – Opera at the Ambler Theater La Forza del Destino

Tuesday 12/8 – Come make a flower arrangement at the Ambler Flower Shop

Wednesdaya 12/9- Live Jazz at the Ambler Theater
The Eric Mintel Quartet A Jazz Holiday

Merchant and Restaurant Specials throughout the town.

Tuesday December 15 Holiday Sing-Along
Join the Ambler Symphony for Ambler’s Annual Sing-Along at 6:30PM inside the beautiful Ambler Theater, followed by a movie at 7:30PM. Tickets are $10 and are available beginning today at the Theater’s Box Office.

Thursday December 17 Santa By Train!
Gather at Trax Café at the Ambler train station to cheer Santas arrival. Then it’s off light the holiday tree in front of the beautiful Ambler Borough Hall (122 E. Butler Ave). Santa will visit with children inside borough hall after the tree lighting.

Friday December 18th Through Thursday December 24th – Ambler Merchants welcome you to help with all your final holiday purchases.