Are you a member of any of the following:

• The networking exchange
• The Medford Business Association
• The Marlton Business Association
• The Southampton Chamber
• The Greater Lumberton Chamber

Interested in meeting people and networking with business owners/managers/sales people from the region outside of your chamber or business association?

Here is your chance!

Join us October 23rd 6-8pm at The Flying W

Area business associations/chambers have joined together to offer an opportunity to network with members of other groups.

The fee for admission is a canned good or boxed good that would work in a Thanksgiving Dinner!

Snacks will be provided!

Hope to see you there.

Bring lots of business cards!

Click Here to Register Now

Real Estate is local.  We must be wary not to apply national figures to our local market.  They are frequently conflicting.  The national median price increase is reported anywhere between 1.2% and 3.8%.  Though we are locally following the national trend, our increase in home prices is 1.8% for 3rd Quarter 2012 over 3rd Quarter 2011.  However, we are still running 27% below the all- time high in 2006… a number that we will not see again for many years.

“Turned Around?”  Let’s be honest.  The wreckage is too extensive to be “turned around” by Spring.  That said, the upward trend is unmistakable as the turn-around indeed is real, tangible and a process, not an event.  It is likely that, by Spring, the environment will be a bit better, but not that much better to delay something you and your family need to do.

Spring traditionally is the best time to sell a home merely because more people are out looking. This doesn’t necessarily translate into higher prices.  Fewer people are out shopping during the winter, but those that do are serious and ready.  In the winter, there are fewer homes to choose from.  Spring delivers an abundance of choices and greater competition.

Should you list now or wait?  If it is time to go, list it now.  If Spring suits you better, list in mid-February and get a jump on the market.

Above all, select a veteran agent who has the pulse of your market and uses state-of-the-art marketing techniques to expedite success.

Wrestling starts at 4:00pm at Lenape HS, Medford NJ. Robinson and his Lenape team will IRONICALLY be wrestling Triton HS, which is where Robinson started making a name for himself as a successful head coach for their varsity wrestling team.

Coach Robinson brought the Triton program from zero to top 20 in the short 4 years that he coached there.

Now in his 5th year at Lenape he continues to grow as a coach and mentor to the talented group of wrestlers passing through Lenape’s program.

CONGRATULATIONS JOE AND GOOD LUCK!

Ott’s Medford

Ott’s is a local favorite, with decent food, great service and local bands throughout the week.  Wings are great, as are the sandwiches and salads, and they even have Ott’s Tots (which are tater tots smothered in Chile and cheese).   http://ottsrestaurants.com/pages/medford/menu

PJ Whelihan’s

PJ’s is another local favorite, occupying the spot where the Settler’s Inn used to be.  Food is good and the outdoor patio is nice in the spring and summer.  The acoustics inside are sometimes a little off, making it hard to hear the band sometimes (I’ve heard this from more than one person), but overall definitely a recommended hang.  http://www.pjspub.com/medfordlakes

Medford Bagel

Eric and family have created a local favorite breakfast spot, with fresh made bagel, excellent sandwiches and great customer service.  After you’ve been there a few times, everyone starts to know your name and you settle into the Medford Bagel Family.  http://medfordbagels.com

Femina Italian Grill

Femina is a great Italian restaurant, along with sister restaurant Tarantellas – with a very nice menu, generous portions and friendly staff.  It’s a BYOB establishment, so bring that bottle (or two) of your favorite wine.  If you live in the Deerbrook area or drive through there when the weather’s nice you can smell the garlic and Italian dishes as you drive by.  Smells wonderful and makes me hungry even if I’ve just eaten!   http://femminaitaliangrill.com

Rivera Pizza

Another local favorite, “The Riv” has great pizza, dinner menu and two locations.  They also own La Campignola which is a higher end restaurant with Italian fare.

If you have a favorite Medford, NJ restaurant please comment and tell us about it!  There are a number of great spots I didn’t mention, but I didn’t want to simply go down list of every spot in Medford.  Chime in and let us know your favorite!

Friday, October 28th @ the Mansion on Main Street in Voorhees, NJ

Please join us for our Annual Charity Wine Tasting next Friday, Oct. 28th at the Mansion in Voorhees (3000 Main Street, Voorhees, NJ 08043).

Tickets are available now!

For more information please visit our website www.CanalsWine.com (center main page), call (1-800-327-5054) or email us: canalsmarlton@msn.com!

VIP tasting starts at 5:00 pm ($150/person), regular tasting starts at 6:30pm ($75/person). There will be plenty of food and great wines! Charity is benefiting YMCA’s “The Strong Kids Campaign”.

If you would like to have your tickets mailed to you please call us immediately so we can send them on time! Cash, checks and all major credit cards are accepted. Thank you everyone for your continuous support every year! Your presence is much appreciated!

The Holidays would not be complete without a trip to New York City. Join us on Saturday, December 10th  to take in all of the sounds and sights that make the Big Apple so special this time of year. The charter bus will leave from the Bob Bende Park Building at 9:00 am. Passengers will be dropped off close to Times Square, where they will be picked up again at 6:45 pm, arriving back in Medford by 9:00 pm.  The time in NYC is yours to do with as you wish.

Tickets for Broadway shows can be purchased in advance or they can be purchased at a discount the same day at the ticket booth located in Times Square. The Fee for deluxe motor coach transportation is $30.

Register early for this trip, as seating is limited and goes quickly.  For more information about the trip, contact the Medford Recreation Department located at 17th North Main Street on the second floor of the Municipal Building), visit www.medfordrec.com , e-mail recreation@medfordtownship.com , or call (609) 654-2512.

Challenges Other Businesses to Step Up

Medford Celebrates, Inc., a non-profit group of Medford residents, is trying to raise money through donations to finance an Independence Day celebration and fireworks for next year because of the Township’s budget constraints.

It’s a tough haul because the economy has impacted businesses and their willingness to contribute.
But Bob Wagner, managing partner of Braddock’s Tavern and Ott’s Restaurant in Medford, wants none of that whining. He just donated $5,000 to jump start the drive with the hopes other businesses will follow suit.

Wagner is challenging businesses throughout the township to step up and contribute to reach the $40,000 needed to cover the July 2012 celebrations.  “All the things that make Medford great, such as its family activities, are in jeopardy because of lack of funds. We can’t let that happen,” says Wagner, an active player in civic affairs. “These events are critical to Medford.”

Medford Celebrates, with a core of 15 volunteer Trustees, knows that unless they can raise funds through donations– giving taxpayers a break – the July celebration in 2012 will not happen. The celebrations in 2010 and 2011 were cancelled because the township couldn’t come up with the money. That in fact led to their new organization, “Medford Celebrates.”

“We don’t want the traditions in Medford to die. They are an integral part of the community and its one of the reasons families settle in Medford,” says Robert Egan, president of Medford Celebrates, an IRS certified non-profit foundation.  “We need everyone’s help and  dollars,” said Egan.  “We know it’s tough out there but think about what you could make happen with your contribution,” he added.

The non-profit is not only looking for donors and sponsors, it also hopes that it can attract more volunteers. People have been donating in small amounts, but it is missing the larger contributions businesses can make.

Medford Celebrates’ website is www.medfordcelebrates.org .   The website gives people and businesses the opportunity to contribute or volunteer.  Or email info@medfordcelebrates.com   for more information.

On October 5, The Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, teaming up with NFL Alumni Philadelphia Chapter Cheerleaders and UnitedHealthcare of Pennsylvania, launched the organization’s first-ever viral video, created to generate breast cancer awareness on a worldwide stage, as well as raise significant funds to empower the local and global breast cancer movements. Cindy O’Barr, resident of Medford, was one of more than 130 former NFL cheerleaders who made the “Team Ra-Ras Kick Breast Cancer” come to life and is now part of the viral video sensation that generated more than 300 views within the first two hours of officially being launched.

Set to “Do You Remember” by Pop and R&B sensation, Jay Sean, Philadelphia-based UnitedHealthcare of Pennsylvania is the exclusive sponsor of the video and will donate 10 cents to the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate each time it is viewed online, up to a total of $100,000. The goal is to drive at least 1 million views of the video before the end of this year. Everyone is encouraged to participate by viewing “Team Ra-Ras Kicks Breast Cancer” at www.KomenPhiladelphia.org/Video.

“It is extremely humbling to think that we, from our small office at 9th and Sansom, have achieved something that will literally embrace people around the world in the hope of beating breast cancer… and empower them with a concrete way to contribute to Komen’s mission to end this disease forever,” said Elaine I. Grobman, Executive Director of the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate. “This incredible journey has been the epitome of teamwork and conviction… made possible thanks to the ingenuity of the NFL Alumni Cheerleaders, the generosity of UnitedHealthcare, the energy of Jay Sean, and the passion of everyone.”

The “Team Ra-Ras Kicks Breast Cancer” project was the brainchild of Maggie Trush-Hammond, Membership Chair of the NFL Alumni Philadelphia Chapter Cheerleaders. Trush-Hammond’s relationship with the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate started last spring, when she captained “Team Ra-Ras” for the 2010 Susan G. Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure® in celebration of several of their members who are breast cancer survivors. For Medford resident, Cindy O’Barr who cheered with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1981 – 1984, the breast cancer cause is very close to her heart.  Many of Cindy’s friends have been victims of the disease, however, most are survivors.

“Team Ra-Ras was born out of the NFL Alumni Philadelphia Chapter Cheerleaders commitment to finding a cure for breast cancer—and our recognition that by partnering with the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate, we were carrying out our vision as one with the global leader in the fight,” said Cindy.  ” On September 11th, we danced together for the first time as alumni, and it was awe-inspiring…. as we rallied behind our own alumni who have taken the breast cancer journey, as well as all women who have been touched by this disease.   I am grateful to be able to share my craft—along with all my fellow cheerleader alumni—to help perpetuate the Komen promise, and hope to inspire multiple generations of women to come together to ‘kick’ this disease!”

All summer the alumni participating in the video practiced their dance from their homes across the country. On September 11, the entire group—136 cheerleaders in all, ranging in age from 25-64 years, and including eight breast cancer survivors—united at the Central High School football field in Philadelphia for the grand performance and video filming.  The performance was composed of five segments, each created by a former cheerleader choreographer and reflecting the dance style from one decade, starting with the 1960s through 2010.

Dozens of organizations have come together to make the vision of “Team Ra-Ras Kicks Breast Cancer” a reality, led by UnitedHealthcare of Pennsylvania.

“UnitedHealthcare is honored to take part in this one-of-a-kind opportunity and support the life-saving work of the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate,” said Sue Schick, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Pennsylvania. “This program embodies our mission to help people live healthier lives, and shows how everyone can make a difference in the quest to end breast cancer. Our goal is to show that when everyone comes together for the common good, anything is possible—including a future without breast cancer.”

In addition, Jay Sean and his management team, released the rights for the use of “Do You Remember” for the video. In addition, before a show in Atlantic City, Sean took time to meet with members of the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate and alumni, and recorded a special message for the video.

The Komen Philadelphia Affiliate, NFL Alumni Philadelphia Chapter Cheerleaders, UnitedHealthcare of Pennsylvania and Team Jay Sean are in the midst of an aggressive social media campaign to drive views of the video over 1,000,000 before January 1, 2011. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the viral video phenomenon by viewing “Team Ra-Ras Kicks Breast Cancer” on YouTube, accessible via www.KomenPhiladelphia.org/Video.

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which is now the world’s largest breast cancer organization and the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer with nearly $1.5 billion invested to date.

Up to 75% of net proceeds generated by the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate stays in its thirteen-county service area. The remaining goes to the national Komen for the Cure Grants Program. For the 2010-2011 season, the Affiliate invested $2.1 million in the form of grants to local organizations for their breast health and breast cancer awareness projects.

More information is available at www.KomenPhiladelphia.org.

About UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare (www.unitedhealtcare.com ) provides a full spectrum of consumer-oriented health benefits plans and services to individuals, public sector employers and businesses of all sizes, including more than half of the Fortune 100 companies.  The company organizes access to quality, affordable health care services on behalf of approximately 25 million individual consumers, contracting directly with more than 600,000 physicians and care professionals and 5,000 hospitals to offer them broad, convenient access to services nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company.

About the NFL Alumni Philadelphia Chapter Cheerleaders

The NFL Alumni Philadelphia Chapter Cheerleaders, comprised of five decades of former Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders, was founded to continue the charitable community outreach efforts established as professional NFL cheerleaders.  The existing Philadelphia Chapter of the NFL Alumni expanded their membership in 2009 to include these women who once graced the sidelines of Franklin Field, Veterans Stadium and Lincoln Financial Field. Established after a reunion in 2009, the NFL Alumni Philadelphia Chapter Cheerleaders have dedicated themselves to charitable works and community service, with supported causes including St. Vincent’s Home for Girls in Philadelphia, Make-A-Wish Foundation, multiple children’s charities in the tri-state area, and the Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

They have the usual favorites along with some specialty rolls that should suit just about anyone’s sushi tastes.  They also offer tempura dishes, and some delicious appetizers like spicy rock shrimp tempura and gyoza.

Be sure to check them out, let them know you read about them on MedfordNJ.com!   Visit them online at http://peterssushicafe.com/

On Sunday, January, 31, 2010, the third Winter Fever Toy Show will take place from 10:00am to 4:00pm at the Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel, 515 Fellowship Road N, Mount Laurel, N.J. ( Between I-295 & N.J. Turnpike exit 4 off of Route 73 ) Admission is $5.00 and Children under the age of 12 are free. 9:00am Early buyers $10.00. Free parking. Door prizes. An indoor all weather event.

The toy show will feature over 140 tables of new, antique, and collectible toys for sale from unique toy dealers from the region. The show promises to have a diversity of toys from 1900′s to the present such as Gi-joe, Barbie, Diecast Vehicles, Science Fiction, Horror, Space Toys. Action Figures. Dolls. Transformers and much more. Toy collectors should not miss this show. For information on attending or participating, call: 856-302-3606. Our web site: www.toyshows.org or www.myspace.com/toyshows.org has more information on this show and our 1st Delaware Winter Antique Show on Febuary 21, 2010 at the Nur Shrine Temple, in New Castle, Delaware