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BOTANY BULLETIN
The Botany Bulletin is a Free
Newsletter published
monthly by Clifton's Historic Botany District, Inc
a not for profit corporation that administers the
the Botany Village Special Improvement District
in the City of Clifton, NJ.
President - John Penkalski 973*546*9813
Editor - Joe Nikischer 609*731*5454
Executive Director - Gregory Mayo
GMayo@Americancleanandsafe.com |
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BOTANY, CLIFTON'S FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD |
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GARBAGE A PROBLEM IN BOTANY CAN BE AVOIDED
Please notice that Garbage collection in Botany is Monday and Thursday
mornings and should be put on the curb after 5 pm the night before.
Large items such as a mattress, cabinets, furniture, etc. can only go
out for Monday's pick up only and will not be picked up on Thursdays.
Placing household or business garbage in the public garbage cans is
unacceptable and against the law. Anyone placing garbage in the public
cans will be fined if caught. Inspectors will be periodically spot
checking the public garbage cans and tickets will be issued.
Clifton's Historic Botany District has personnel to help keep the area
clean. The key word is "help". Residents, Property Owners, and
Businesses have the responsibility of keeping the front of their
properties clean and landlords to inform their tenants of the rules and
laws of Clifton. Garbage by Clifton law can not be placed in public view
any other time. If you don't know where to keep your garbage or where to
place it for pick up, please ask your landlord.
Help us help you and make a pledge to keep Botany clean and keep Garbage
under control
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ENJOY VALENTINE'S DAY IN BOTANY!
Botany has everything to make Valentine's Day for you and the love of
your life special. Gifts for everyone, Restaurants for a romantic dinner
and Bars and Pubs for that after dinner drink. |
***NOTICE***
TV's, Stereo's, and Computer's are NOT picked-up with the garbage. You must
drop them off at the Department of Public Works Garage at the end of East
7th Street between 8am and 3pm. For more information call the DPW office at
973-470-2239.
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WINTER IS HERE AND WITH THAT COMES THE SNOW!
PLEASE DO YOUR PART TO KEEP BOTANY SAFE AND KEEP YOUR AREA SHOVELED!
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IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
Emergency - 911
Police non emergency - 973-470-5911
Botany Village President John Penkalski - 973-546-9813
Botany Village Special Events Joe Nikischer - 609-731-5454
American Clean & Safe - 609-209-3858
City of Clifton
Mayor Anzaldi - 973-470-5757
City Manager - 973-470-5263
Department of Public Works - 973-470-2239
Housing Department - 973-470-5849
Health Department - 973-470-5768
Animal Control - 973-470-5761
Seniors - 973-470-2234
For more information regarding the City of Clifton and other departments
visit Cliftonnj.org |
PLEASE NOTE THAT PUBLIC GARBAGE CANS ARE FOR PUBLIC USE AND NOT FOR
PERSONAL HOUSEHOLD TRASH. THIS IS A LAW IN THE CITY OF CLIFTON. VIOLATORS
ARE SUJECT TO BEING FINED. THE LAW WILL BE ENFORCED
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HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is
an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection
between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian
martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD.
It was deleted from the General Roman Calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul
VI. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other
by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known
as "valentines"). The day first became associated with romantic love in the
circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High
Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. Modern Valentine's
Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the
winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to
mass-produced greeting cards.
Modern times. In 1797, a British publisher issued The Young Man's Valentine
Writer, which contained scores of suggested sentimental verses for the young
lover unable to compose his own. Printers had already begun producing a limited
number of cards with verses and sketches, called "mechanical valentines," and a
reduction of postal rates in the next century ushered in the less personal but
easier practice of mailing Valentines. That, in turn, made it possible for the
first time to exchange cards anonymously, which is taken as the reason for the
sudden appearance of racy verse in an era otherwise prudishly Victorian.
Paper Valentines became so popular in England in the early 19th century that
they were assembled in factories. Fancy Valentines were made with real lace and
ribbons, with paper lace introduced in the mid-19th century. In the UK, just
under half of the population spend money on their Valentines and around 1.3
billion pounds are spent yearly on cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts,
with an estimated 25 million cards being sent. The reinvention of Saint
Valentine's Day in the 1840s has been traced by Leigh Eric Schmidt. As a writer
in Graham's American Monthly observed in 1849, "Saint Valentine's Day... is
becoming, nay it has become, a national holyday." In the United States, the
first mass-produced valentines of embossed paper lace were produced and sold
shortly after 1847 by Esther Howland (1828*1904) of Worchester, Massachusetts.
In the second half of the 20th century, the practice of exchanging cards was
extended to all manner of gifts in the United States. Such gifts typically
include roses and chocolates packed in a red satin, heart-shaped box. In the
1980s, the diamond industry began to promote Valentine's Day as an occasion for
giving jewelry.
The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately 190 million
valentines are sent each year in the US. Half of those valentines are given to
family members other than husband or wife, usually to children. When you include
the valentine-exchange cards made in school activities the figure goes up to 1
billion, and teachers become the people receiving the most valentines. In some
North American elementary schools, children decorate classrooms, exchange cards,
and are given sweets. The greeting cards of these students sometimes mention
what they appreciate about each other.
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National Freedom Day - February 1st.
*As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my
idea of democracy.*- Abraham Lincoln
National Freedom Day commemorates the signing of the 13th Amendment
outlawing slavery on February 1, 1865 by President Lincoln. The idea to
celebrate the holiday came from Major Richard Robert Wright Sr., who was a
former slave. He organized a group of leaders to write a bill for a national
holiday that would celebrate freedom for all Americans, the holiday would
take place on February 1. It was first commemorated on February 1, 1942,
although it was not an official holiday yet. On June 30, 1948, President
Harry Truman signed the bill. Every Year on this day, a wreath is laid at
the Liberty Bell in celebration. Groundhog Day - February
2nd.
Groundhog Day is celebrated every year on February 2nd midway between the
Winter Solstice and the Vernal Equinox. It is celebrated with the Groundhog
each year in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania where folks gather around to see if
the groundhog will see it's shadow. If the groundhog sees a shadow, there
will be 42 more days of winter! It has become a fun day to celebrate in
elementary schools. Presidents' Day - February 20th.
Presidents' Day is observed on the 3rd Monday in February to honor
Washington's Birthday, the first U.S. President and Abraham Lincoln and
other US Presidents. Mardi Gras (also called Fat Tuesday)
- February 21st.
Mardi Gras or "Fat Tuesday" is the day before Ash Wednesday. It is a
celebration that is held just before the season of Lent (the period of
fasting and repentance) Ash Wednesday - Lent - February
22nd.
Begins the season of Lent, the 40 days (not counting Sundays) of fasting and
repentance and preparation for the celebration of Easter.
About Leap Year and Leap Day
Leap years are required so that the calendar stays in alignment with the
earth's motion around the sun. This alignment, calculated by the mean time
between two successive vernal equinoxes, is 365.2422 days long, resulting in
an error of .2422 days in a 365 day calendar year. After 100 years, the
calendar would be more than 24 days ahead of the seasons. Leap years keep
the calendar in line with the seasons.
FEBRUARY FACTS
Birthstone - Amethyst Flower - Violet
Astrological Signs - Aquarius: January 20 - February 18, Pisces: February 19
- March 20
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GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS
Botany Village has always been a melting pot of different races and
cultures. This diversity is one of the things that make our neighborhood
special. Get to know and embrace the customs of your neighbors.
Understanding and respect = Peace!
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FEBRUARY'S INSPIRATIONAL STORY
FOR PET LOVERS |
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The Rainbow Bridge
Author: Anonymous
Just this side of Heaven is a place called the Rainbow
Bridge. When an animal dies who has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to the Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of
our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of
food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All
the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those
who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember
them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they miss
someone very special to them who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops
and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body
quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away from the group, flying over the
green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. YOU have been spotted
and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in
joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your
face; you hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into
the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent
from your heart.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together......
Please visit the Animal Shelter and find a friend who
is looking forward to meeting you and will love you unconditionally for life
and beyond!
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BOTANY BLOCK WATCH AMBASSADORS
Block Watch Ambassadors are in the District to help you. They are not Police
Officers but they do work closely with them to help keep Botany safe. They
are an extra set of eyes. If you need their help, please feel free to flag
them down and they will do their best to help you. If there is an emergency,
call 911 immediately! Here are a few simple steps you can do to help keep
yourself safe.
Quick Security Tips
Keep all doors and windows closed and securely fastened. An open window or
door is an open invitation for burglars. Thieves are also quick to spot weak
locks that may be easily forced open. Doors should have deadbolt locks with
a one inch throw and reinforced strike plate with three inch screws. All
windows should have window locks.
Secure sliding glass doors. Place a metal rod or piece of plywood in the
track and install vertical bolts. These will help prevent burglars from
forcing the door open or lifting it off the track.
Always lock the door to an attached garage. Don't rely on your automatic
garage door opener for security.
Create the illusion that you are home. by using timers on lights, radios and
TV's. Making your residence appear occupied, even when no one is home, will
deter criminals.
Keep the perimeter of your home well lighted. Installing low voltage outdoor
lighting is a cost-effective way to discourage intruders, as well as
highlight a house.
Never leave clues that you are away on a trip. Have a trusted neighbor
collect mail and newspapers while you are away so delivered items do not
accumulate. You can also ask a neighbor to park in your driveway or parking
place to make it appear that you are present.
Keep some shades and blinds up and curtains open to maintain a normal,
everyday appearance in your residence.
Never leave a message on your telephone answering machine telling people
that you are away from home. A message that you will return at a certain
time leaves your home vulnerable in the interim.
Keep shrubbery trimmed away from entrances and walkways. While large, ornate
hedges may be beautiful, they also provide a hiding place for burglars who
need only a minute to break in through a window or door.
An Alert Community is a Safe Community!
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AROUND CLIFTON
Event being held around Clifton outside of the Botany area!
Looking for something to do in Clifton?
Need information on a event in Clifton?
Visit the Clifton Community Calendar regularly!
cliftoncommunitycalendar.webs.com |
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The Clifton Recreation Department Presents......
MY HEART IS IN YOUR HANDS
ADULT CPR/AED & FIRST AID RALLY
Saturday, February 11th 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Conducted at the Community Recreation Center
1232 Main Avenue - Clifton
Continental Brealfast included at 8:30 a.m.
The rally is conducted only once a year at the discounted price of $30. per
person and teaches participants how to recognize and life threatening
respitory and cardiac emergencies in adults.
Pre-registration is required.
Contact the Clifton Recreation Department at 973-470-5956 for more
information and to register. |
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REASONS TO SHOP IN BOTANY
1. Shopping local creates jobs. Shops in your town create local employment
and self-employment. These people in turn spend in the local economy.
2. Local independent shops invest more in your communities. Local businesses
are proportionally more generous in their support of local charities,
schools, and community events. So supporting local shops means a financial
contribution to your community.
3. Local shops sell great products at affordable prices. Some people get out
of the habit of shopping locally and are then surprised by the range of
products available.
4. Shopping locally saves you time and money. You travel less, saving on
time and fuel.
5. Shopping locally retains your communities. People don*t like losing shops
and services in small towns but don*t equate this with how they spend their
money.
6. Shopping locally retains your distinctiveness. Independent shops create
distinctive shopping experiences and stock different products. Local
businesses respond more quickly to the needs of local customers, stocking
products to meet changing population needs.
7. Shopping locally saves the environment. Local shops often stock a high
percentage of locally sourced goods that do not require long-distance
transportation, helping to reduce our global footprint.
8. Local shops are for everyone. Most people can get to their local shops
easily. This is especially important for the elderly, young people and
others who rely on public transportation.
9. Local shops value you more. Evidence from numerous surveys show people
receive better customer care and service locally. These businesses survive
by their reputation and repeat business, which means you get a higher
standard of service.
10. Shopping local saves services. Private and public sector services
cluster around shops. As shops disappear so do hairdressers, banks,
restaurants and other businesses.
Consumers can pledge to Think, Shop, Buy, Local and commit to patronizing
businesses near where they live and work. Local stores employ your
neighbors, pay taxes that support your schools and improve your roads, and
contribute to local non-profit groups.
Together we can strengthen relationships that improve our quality of life.
So next time before you make a purchase, Think, Shop, Buy, Local. |
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