IN THE NEWS

Barbeque's the Buzz at This Year's Rockfest On Saturday, June 11, 2011, City of Angels NJ will host its third annual Rockfest at Tall Cedars Grove in Hamilton. This year, the free event will feature a barbeque theme, with an amateur barbeque Grill-Off and barbeque from local vendors. It will also include live music, a large car & motorcycle show, a prize giveway for students and kids’ entertainment.    Beginning at 1:00 pm, local bands will play all afternoon. Garden State of Mind, Soul Fire, Black Pearl and Out of the Red will put the rock in Rockfest with their unique sounds and latest hits.    At 2:30 pm, a panel of local judges will determine the winners of COA’s first Rockfest Grill-Off. The amateur barbeque contest will award prizes – and bragging rights – to the top three chicken and rib chefs. With all food prepared on site, visitors will be able watch both the cooking and the judging – and maybe even collect some tips from the grillmasters.    “The Grill-Off should be a lot of fun,” says COA Board Chairman Kevin Meara. “We have some very serious contenders, so the competition will be intense.”    In the food court, vendors will offer barbeque chicken and pork for sale, along with grilled hot dogs, soft pretzels and other refreshments.    More than 100 motorcycles and over 50 classic cars are expected. “At last year’s Rockfest car show, we had cars from a 1931 Ford Sedan up to a new 2010 Mustang Shelby GT 500 on display,” says Carol Tamasi, organizer of the car show. “We’ll also have a retired race car that my husband, Dan, is restoring with some of the COA alumni. There will be lots to see for car and motorcycle fans this year.”    For students, COA will give away a host of prizes including a new iPod. Prize drawings will be held throughout the afternoon, with no fee to enter. Kids entertainment will include an arcade area with games, a dunking booth, moonwalk and special attractions such as strolling magician Matt Schick. “City of Angels is one of my favorite charities and I have a blast performing at their Rockfest every year,” says Magic Matt. “Entertaining the children and adults who attend yearly is enriching - not only because it gives me a great venue to perform new material, but because I know that everyone is there to support an excellent cause which I strongly believe in.”    This year’s Rockfest will also feature arts and crafts specialist Eileen Rothstein, who will paint faces. “I like to make each child feel special,” says Ms. Eileen, “so everyone receives a unique face painting. No two are the same.” COA was founded in mid 2009. Since then, the non-profit corporation has helped more than 200 young people into treatment, then provided post-treatment programs to support their recovery. Robbinsville P.B.A. Donates $2,500 to Food Pantry Mayor Fried, Council Highlight Efforts of City of Angels, 6-year-old Student to Combat Hunger City of Angels members display a surprise gift from “Santa” donated to the organization. ROBBINSVILLE, N.J. – Mayor Dave Fried and members of the Township Council today accepted a $2,500 check from the local Policemen’s Benevolent Association for the Robbinsville Food Pantry, and they used the occasion to highlight efforts by a community group and a young resident to combat hunger. “Today’s donation by our police officers will make it possible to do more for families in need,” Mayor Fried said. “It’s important to remember, however, that hunger exists every day, even though we often pay special attention to those in need during the holidays.” Patrolman Michael Farrell, president of P.B.A. Local #344, explained why Township officers sought to assist the food pantry. “Some people may think that the food pantry is for the homeless. However, it also serves the residents of Robbinsville who have fallen on hard times, especially over the past year,” he said. “We believe that we must all do our part to reach out to those not just during the holiday season, but all year round. This is one of the most important things we can do right now. We care about our residents, and if we can do more we will,” Patrolman Farrell said. Council Vice President Rich Levesque said he hoped the P.B.A.’s generosity would inspire others. “Our community is blessed with officers who are very close to the people they serve, and who seek to address broader needs,” Levesque said. “I encourage everyone to give what they can, because it binds our Township together.” Mayor Fried and members of Council used the opportunity of the check presentation to highlight recent efforts by a community organization and a young resident to combat hunger. Joy Tozzi, Asst. BA for Robbinsville and Executive Director of the City of Angels, discusses the group’s food drive and collection of winter garments and toys for families affected by addiction. When Anson Mentzer, a Robbinsville resident, turned 6 years old last month, he used the occasion to collect donations for the food pantry instead of receiving presents. His mother, Joy Mentzer, said her son came up with this idea after his older sister conducted a food drive last summer in Bradley Beach, where the family spends vacation. It’s not the first time the St. Gregory the Great student has turned his own birthday into an opportunity to help others: Last year, Joy Mentzer said, he collected toys for a younger child who was suffering from cancer. “I’m truly impressed by Anson’s generosity,” Mayor Fried said. “We welcome efforts by the Girl Scouts and other youth groups to assist the hungry, but Anson’s collective drive shows how individuals can make a difference – at any age.” Another community group, The City of Angels, which assists individual and families affected by addiction, presented the food pantry with donations collected since November 1, when City of Angels launched a food drive and holiday Giving Tree initiative. Through Sunday, December 12, The group will continue to collect food, as well as donations of hats, scarves, and new toys, at its Dwier Center location, located at 392 Church St., Groveville. “In today’s economy, families who may have never asked for help are now in need, and City of Angels is here to respond,” said Joy Tozzi, the group’s executive director and Robbinsville’s Assistant Business Administrator. “There are times when meeting basic needs helps open the door to addressing bigger challenges that families face.” For more information about City of Angels’ Giving Tree and Food Drive, see www.cityofangelsnj.org.